RAID 0 users. 16, 32, or 64 byte blocking. which is faster?

[docgonzo]

I have been researching the ways to configure my raid set-up. From what I have read, some people insist on using 16bit stripes instead of 32bit stripes. They claim it to be faster? And from a couple of bench marks its seems so. But, it seems to me that you would want to take full use of you 32bit bus every cycle? Or am I not understading Raid 0 correctly? Any ways, any users who have experience with each- I would appreciate the help.

 

[docgonzo]

anyone?

 

[SinNisTeR]

i thought the stripes were in Bytes not Bits.. and it all depends on what youre doing.. messing with divx files, movie editing, etc. go with 32 or 64 size. if you are doing normal everyday computing, go with 16. =]

 

[docgonzo]

yes correct sorry about that 16, 32, 64 BYTES per block

 

[cbuchach]

Anand did a review comparing the performance of various stripe sizes on some popular controllers. The review is here.

Find your card and follow the benchmarks for optimal performance of your particular RAID controller.

 

[docgonzo]

 

[docgonzo]

Good call. I have decided for the small to mid sized files I will be working in, that the 16 byte stripe block will be perfect. Not too small to make small files inefficient; but big enough to make larger files load faster.

I have it set up and running, and already Everquest RPG loads faster through larger zones than ever before... Where once it took me 30 seconds or more for my WD 60 gig it now takes about 5-10 seconds for my RAID ATA133, And my dual maxtors dont even break a sweat. Pretty sweet so far. I will keep you posted if one of the drives dies and I throw the whole system out the third story window.