Happy Linux Box

[CMonster]

I am online this moment with my newly rebuilt Athlon MP 2000 dualie running Mandrake 9.0 (for now):

Specs:

*Tyan Tiger MP 2460
*Dual MP 2000s /Volcano 7s
*1GB DDR 2700 ECC Registered
*Adaptec 39160 64bit PCI SCSI
*2x 18GB Seagate Cheetah ST118202LC 10K SCSI 80MB/s (don't laugh they only cost $14.90 ea and I have 10 of them)
*puny Geforce 2 MX400 64MB
*generic sound -don't knock it, it works!
*16x TEAC ATAPI DVD
*TEAC 52x24x52 ATAPI CDRW

happy box -amidst 5 and one laptop

How do you like those cheap SCSI drives from softwareandstuff? Are they in good condition? Any errors you've noted?

Just curious, as I may order a 10-pack for a new RAID array. Been needing a cost effective upgrade path from my IDE RAID, and 4-8 of these drives would make for a great solution.

[CMonster]

I'm pretty happy with the drives (like new) -tested 4 so far, but I was under the impression that they would be U160 drives...

Specifications
- Formatted Capacity: 18.21GB
- Interface: 80-pin
- Ultra 160
- Data Transfer Rates: 160MB/s
- Average Seek Times: 5 .0ms
- Buffer Size: 4MB
- Rotational Speed: 10,000rpm
- Height (mm): HH (42.01)=1.6 Inch

didn't find mention of Ultra 160 for that model number on the Seagate website.... and in fact they seem to run only as 80MB/s even with all the correct cables and adapters ...I'm still working on it though..maybe I missed something -nevertheless, smoking fast on the 64bit 39160... a little whine but mostly drowned out by the Volcano 7s

Sounds good for my purposes. I may pick a bundle over the weekend. I will probably go for an external SCSI case as well.

BTW, you have an excellent build for a good Linux workstation or small business server. Great choice for the motherboard, and kudos for the 64-bit SCSI controller.

In contrast, I will probably opt for a software RAID spread across multiple SCSI controllers with Win2K Server. No 64-bit slots on this board, thus I will need multiple 32-bit slots to ever notice a significant performance gain over my current IDE RAID config.

[CMonster]

I'm happy with it; sure is responsive! However, I did fire off an email to softwareandstuff informing them that they are misrepresenting the drive and referred them to the official specifications.... I also hinted that they could square things with me by sending an additional 80/68pin adapter -gratis.... we shall see.

If I decide to use that box as a workstation for graphics then I may consider steps for noise reduction.

An adapter sounds reasonable enough, drop a line if they come through with an apology. At minimum, I would expect them to change the product page.

Noise reduction is the fun part for 10k drives. That is why I thinking about an external drive cabinet. That way I can apply sound dampening materials to the inside of the case.

[SiliconJon]

Wow, that's a pretty nice price...wouldn't mind a half doz myself.

[CMonster]

Specifications - Formatted Capacity: 18.21GB - Interface: 80-pin - Data Transfer Rates: 80MB/s - Average Seek Times: 5 .0ms - Buffer Size: 4MB - Rotational Speed: 10,000rpm - Height (mm): HH (42.01)=1.6 Inch

www.softwareandstuff.com made the correction the same day! -still a great deal

[Siliconjunkie]

If you are happy with the happy Linux box then its a match made in heaven....

Thats what it all comes down to, OS and such aside. The user being happy with their PC.

[CMonster]

...the drives are singing now:

~~~*Linux*Man~~~drake*Linux*~~~

~~~nice-fast! ..n crisp DVD playback