Cheap/Fast SCSI setup

[vapb400]

I got linked to these drives while looking for some fast drives for one of my servers.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=134685 18.4GB Atlas 15k U320
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=129961 18.4GB Fujitsu MAM 15k U320

I'm looking for some relatively inexpensive, non used/refurbished parts. I am also in need of a PCI SCSI controller.

Do you guys have any suggestions for a cheap but good PCI Raid controller?
What are your expert opinions on those drives? I notice those are 80 pin, so I would need adapters?

 

[Vertigo Acid]

I got linked to these drives while looking for some fast drives for one of my servers.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=134685 18.4GB Atlas 15k U320
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=129961 18.4GB Fujitsu MAM 15k U320

I'd take the Atlas over the MAM any day. While both are first-generation 15K drives from their respective manufacturers, the Atlas 15K is a couple of years newer and outperforms the MAM in every respect. Hell, it's even cheaper

I'm looking for some relatively inexpensive, non used/refurbished parts.

1. Cheap
2. Fast
3. New

Pick two

Do you guys have any suggestions for a cheap but good PCI Raid controller?

How cheap is cheap? For inexpensive SCSI RAID, you're looking probably at a LSI Elite 1600 or Adaptec 2100s. Non-RAID, LSIU160 or Adaptec (1,2,3)9160, the first number being the number of channels, and increasing proportionally in price. The LSIU160 is a single channel card, as is the 2100s. The 1600 is a dual-channel card. How many drives are you looking at installing? You might even be able to get away with a Ultra2 HBA. Also, have you considered software RAID?
A low-end U160 RAID card is going to run you at least $100 (edit: actually the elite 1600 is going for about $60-70 on e-bay right now) probably more like $200 for the Adaptec models, which tend to have a higher price than LSI's offerings. U160 non-RAID, about $50.

What are your expert opinions on those drives? I notice those are 80 pin, so I would need adapters?

Both are fine drives overall, here's the storage review numbers and reviews:
http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200304/200304068C073x0_1.html
http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200110/20011001MAM3367_1.html
http://www.storagereview.com/php/benchmark/suite_v1.php?typeID=10&testbedID=3&osID=4&raidconfigID=1&numDrives=1&devID_0=232&devID_1=9&devCnt=2

The fact alone that the top sustained transfer rate of the MAM is the same as the lowest sustained for the Atlas is enough to sway me.

Pricewise, you can get the 18gb Atlast 15k for about $40, 36gb for about $50-60 + ship, 73gb model for $80-100 + ship.

As for the MAM, they are about $35-40 drives, 36gb are about $50-ish,

The fair competitor to the 15K is the MAS. You can get 18gb drives in packs of three for 80, or individually for upto $40. 36gb for $80

Those are all e-bay prices

 

[neo86]

18 GB drives won't have that high of a sustained transfer rate.

 

[vapb400]

Thanks alot for the help. I've decided to just go with SATA2 and go for major storage, Storage Review seems to love the 7K500's, so I will probably pickup a couple of those.