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This is the test bench that we will be using, and it is something that I am particularly proud of. A quick click on the picture will give you a close up. We are using an array of 8 Micron C300 256 GB SSDs that Micron has provided to make this review possible.
As you might have guessed, this is truly no ordinary Test Bench and I have to admit that I have spent more hours than I can count to get this system where it is today.
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
CPU: Intel i7-920 DO @ 4.46 Ghz
MOTHERBOARD: EVGA E760 Classified Motherboard
RAM: 6 GB watercooled Crucial Dominators 2000MHz CL8 kit. 7-8-7-24@1700
GPU: Dual EVGA GTX280 SSC
POWER: ST1500 Fully Modular 1500 Watt Power Supply 1500W (Peak 1600W) 12v1320W/110A (Peak 120A)combined+3.3 5v 280W
CHASSIS: Danger Den Torture Rack
CPU COOLER: HeatKiller 3.0
WATER SYSTEM: Two KMP-400 w/reservoirs in a Parallel loop with Bitspower reservoir , two MCR320-QP rads, and 1 BIPS 240 rad. Areca 1880IX-12, EK Ram Block, EK Fullboard Mobo Block on Loop 1. Loop 2- CPU only. Loop 3- MCP-655 and Honda Radiator on dual GPUs.
STORAGE: 8X C300 256 Gb 6Gb/s SSDs, Graciously provided by Crucial for testing purposes.
TEST PROTOCOL
Our main goal in testing is to ensure that all test results are as accurate as they can be, and that no anomalies slip through. We conduct all tests three times and, if necessary, we may conduct specific tests in Windows 7 safe mode to ensure the OS has little to no influence on the end result. We prefer to use as many benchmark programs as possible to assist with confirmation of results, and provide the reader with the actual tests to avoid any confusion when unexpected test benchmarks are received.
Our C300’s will be placed in a RAID 5 configuration and this is mainly to illuminate the performance of the LSI 9265-8i coupled with SSDs that are 6Gb/s capable devices. RAID 5 has definite advantages with regards to data security and we will be covering more of that in the following pages.
In a soon to be released article, we will be highlighting the CacheCade functionality of this card.
OF INTEREST TO OUR ENTHUSIAST CROWD
Connecting 8 solid state drives to the Bench Rig is no easy task without the proper enclosure, especially when we have 8 other SSDs occupying the enclosure at the rear of the Bench. We simply secured them to the desk. Our choice of SSDs over hard drives was a no-brainer given that they require so little power, it is VERY easy to give them juice, not to mention the fact that they are much much faster!
All eight of these SSDs are powered by one Molex power connector on my Power Supply. We simply used a 4X molex splitter to get it split out to four molex plugs, then some molex to 2 SATA connectors.
LINKED INDEX
Introduction ~ Test Bench & Protocol ~ Card Settings
RAID 5 Explained ~ Initial Tests ~ AS SSD