Samsung 840 Pro in Raid 0 on z77, z87 (Haswell) and Areca 1882

[SteveRo]

The goal of this exercise is to show the performance of an R0 array of Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSDs across various storage controllers: Z77, Z87 (Haswell) and Areca 1882 (with 4GB cache). :)
All tests are executed against clean drives - full drives could be slower.

I will start with two drives in Raid 0 for now - and then three drives in another week or two. :D



http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/527/us48.png (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/us48.png/)


http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/2174/mrvq.png (http://img802.imageshack.us/i/mrvq.png/)

[SteveRo]

First up: 2xR0, 64k stripe on Z77 mobo with Sandy Bridge - 2600K @ 4500 and memory @ 1600c9 –


http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2715/ija0.png (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/ija0.png/)


http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8458/g3sn.png (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/g3sn.png/)

[SteveRo]

Next up: 2xR0, 64k stripe on Haswell - this is Z87 with 4670K @ 4200 and memory @ 2400c8.
4770K might be faster here - taking advantage of the HT (four additional threads).


http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9988/ddr3.png (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/ddr3.png/)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8457/mckq.png (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/mckq.png/)

[SteveRo]

Last up: 2xR0, 4k stripe, Areca 1882 4GB on Z87, with 4670K @ 4200, memory @ 2400c8 -


http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8459/ybgc.png (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/ybgc.png/)

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8149/f4cv.png (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/f4cv.png/)

Below are the results of the PCMVx64 HDD tests for the various controllers using two 256GB Samsung 840 pro SSDs in R0 :)
The PCH scores might be higher if 8 threads were used.
The Areca performance is about what you would expect.
Areca controller increased latency results in lower pcmv hdd scores if the data is not in controller cache (compared to Z87 PCH) BUT if the data is in cache - you get a very nice increase. :D



http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6895/q40g.png (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/q40g.png/)

[SteveRo]

OK so time to post some 3xR0 info - First up: 3xR0, 64k stripe on Z77 mobo with Sandy Bridge - 2600K @ 4500 and memory @ 1600c9 .
Performance degrades compared to 2xR0 - probably due to z77 having only two sata3 ports. The 3rd drive must go on a sata2 port slowing down the whole array. :rolleyes::( -

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7151/1q3t.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/1q3t.jpg/)


3xR0, 64k stripe on Haswell - this is Z87 with 4670K @ 4200 and memory @ 2400c8. :up:
4770K might be faster here - taking advantage of the HT (four additional threads). -


http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6735/qo0o.png (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/qo0o.png/)



3xR0, 4k stripe, Areca 1882 4GB on Z87, with 4670K @ 4200, memory @ 2400c8 . :up:
The improvement (when comparing the two 12GB Anvil runs - 3xR0 compared to 2xR0 on Areca) is almost all in sequential performance. -



http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2366/5gu1.png (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/5gu1.png/)


http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3876/rri6.png (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/rri6.png/)

[SteveRo]

OK here is some 4xR0 info - First up: 4xR0, 64k stripe on Haswell - this is Z87 with 4670K @ 4200 and memory @ 2400c8. :up:
This is actually using three 256gb and one 512 drive (all 840 pro) but the result should probably be the same as if all 256 or all 512s.
4770K might be faster here - taking advantage of the HT (four additional threads). -

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/7466/j8tm.png (http://img542.imageshack.us/i/j8tm.png/)

Here is 4xR0, 4k stripe, Areca 1882 4GB on Z87, with 4670K @ 4200, memory @ 2400c8 . :up:
Again this is actually using three 256gb and one 512 drive (all 840 pro) but the result should probably be the same as if all 256 or all 512s.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1372/vymm.png (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/vymm.png/)

[SteveRo]

This is a PCMark05 run using a Frankenstein 5xR0 array of 840s on the Areca 1882. :D
Not too far from a personal best and this on air! :)
I call this a Frankenstein because it is 4 256 pros and 1 evo 750. :rolleyes:
The hwbot submission is here - http://hwbot.org/submission/2451918_



http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1374/6d1f.png (http://img89.imageshack.us/i/6d1f.png/)


Below is a pcm05 compare of 5xR0 array of 840s on the Areca 1882 to 15xR0 array of Acard 9010 on Areca 1880. Both 4GB cache.


http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/1544/w8rm.jpg (http://img703.imageshack.us/i/w8rm.jpg/)

[SteveRo]

Here is the PCMark Vantage results of the same setup (as in post #7 above) - 5xR0 Samsung 840 Frankenstein on Areca 1882 4gb :)
Close to a 4x core personal best! :D
The vantage link is - http://www.3dmark.com/pcmv/549232

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1920/q7uv.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/q7uv.jpg/)

[Don_Dan]

Did you run some PCMark yet? :)

[SteveRo]

Did you run some PCMark yet? :)

edit - PCMVx64 HDD tests for the various controllers using two 256GB Samsung 840 pro SSDs in R0 is moved to post 4 - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213923&viewfull=1#post5213923

[Don_Dan]

How does it compare to your Acards in PCM05?

[SteveRo]

Master Don_Dan - edit - see bottom of post #7 above :) - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213926&viewfull=1#post5213926

[SteveRo]

2xR0 pcmv HDD test results added to the end of post 4. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213923&viewfull=1#post5213923

[Da_maniaC]

Interesting topic since i was currently experimenting with this (using some other SSD models though).

I have a serious suspicion my onboard Intel RAID controller is holding me back?

Here is 4 x Sandisk Extreme II 120GB RAID0, 128k Stripe:
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/JReTVcY4CuL5SiRUVQNvPMiY/full.jpg

System specs:
Intel Core i7 Haswell 4770K (stock speeds)
Intel DZ87KLT-75K Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH 2x4GB
Windows 8.1 Pro

IRST Buffer flush + Write back cache enabled.

[SteveRo]

^^ Very nice Mr. Da_maniaC ! :up::up:
Did you test to find 128k stripe was best for your setup?
Is windows 8.1 working well for you?
Did you test with W7x64? If you do - the best intel raid driver is supposed to be iastor 11.2.0.1006. :)

[Da_maniaC]

Hello Steve,
Yeah Windows 8.1 is working fine for me.
From past experiences, the performance i have seen compared to w7x64 is always the same if not better.
You think these stats are okay?
My 4k reads seem wayyy to low to me? I get the same values i would on my 2 year old 2 x intel 510 Raid 0 array.....

Your stats, using the areca controller and 4k stripe seem mad! Is the enchmark tool confused, or is this Samsung Magician at work?
4 GB/sec reads seems huge!

[SteveRo]

^^ Others have reported that W8.1 intel raid drivers are not as fast as 7's. :yepp:
Not all W7 raid drivers are created equal either it seems - many have reported iastor 11.2.0.1006 to be the best for w7.
I wonder if 1006 would install under W8.1? :shocked:
I had difficulty installing 1006 on Z87, but it installed w/o a hitch on Z77 - go figure. :rolleyes:
Yes, your 4k queue depth=1 reads might be a bit low but the rest of the numbers look pretty good. :up:
Overclocking does increase the performance of the storage subsystem. :p:
Samsung Magician Rapid Mode is not yet enabled for the pro models - suppose to be coming though.

The Areca controllers with memory cache have their postives and their negatives.

Positives-
1. DDR Cache allows data previously read (since last reboot) to be quickly accessed from cache memory - not requiring access to the SSDs. :up:
2. To some extent, smaller writes should be able to be gathered together into larger more efficient writes. Should be better for most SSDs and maybe a bit faster but with increased latency in some cases.
3. 8x Pcie max bandwidth is maybe a factor of two (or more) larger than what the z87 pch can do - this seems to only show up in sequential read/writes. I have read this is very helpful in video editing.
4. In high queue depth situations - cpu loading in moved to the controller - freeing up the main cpu to do other things - (not really applicable to the large majority of workstation applications, but probably helps in benchmarks).

Negatives -
1. Increased latency - adding a storage processor (with its own firmware/software) between your data and your main cpu adds delay. :down: This is one of the main criticisms of using storage controllers in the single user workstation (non-server) environment.
2. The other major criticism is - of course - cost. The model I have - the Areca 1882 12 port was recently on sale at the egg for $700 - too expensive for most folks :shakes:

[Da_maniaC]

Hey,
Thanks for your response.
So i guess your insane 4k speeds are mostly due to the DDR on the controller?
The latencies that AS SSD reports on your usage with the Areca seems neglectable?

Personally i'm quite okay with my current performance but the 4K speeds seem like everything but a good reason to use 3 or 4 disk SSD RAID...
Do you think switching to 8 or 16K stripe is going to prove my 4K speeds much?

I think some Intel RST versions are incompatible due to the RAID controller on Z87 supporting Trim commands?
Maybe this is also why the performance is a tad bit lower for some newer drivers?
I would hate to use older drivers if this means losing Trim support in RAID mode...
Any idea if Intel is aware about their current RST drivers performing worse?

[SteveRo]

^^ Controller cache for sure shows up in all the benchmarks - Anvil Storage Utilities using test size of 12GB or more reduces the affect.
You should test different stripe sizes to find what is best for you, smaller stripe sizes might help with the 4k peformance.
Garbage collection is so good in most of the newest SSDs - I'm not so sure trim is as important as most make it out to be.
Why 1006 installs easy on z77 and hard on z87 - I have no clue - could be just me.
Most believe the 8.1 raid drivers will improve with time. :)

[Da_maniaC]

I hope this stays on-topic enough, because i have no intention of hjiacking your thread but ......

I know you are using a RAID controller with hardware caching, but have you ever tried experimenting with programs like SuperCache (http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/supercache.php) as well?

It seems to give me very good results with approx. 4 GB RAM cache and 4K stripe. :)
I have write-back cache turned off and am in read-only mode if i understand the software correctly. The 4K writes take a 10-15% performance hit, but the reads are far more important if you ask me.
So this is on purpose, also to try and prevent the OS from ever corrupting in case of a sudden crash etc.

http://tweakers.net/ext/f/zs2jrBZBBwIkrsEVbRB2j63i/full.jpg

I just want to find out about 2 things with this software:
- I am not using deferred writing. Does this mean i am in read-only mode? (thats what i would want to achieve, so i don't risk corrupting my OS in case of a system crash).
- Does this software use a database or pool, which is written to the partition that is being cached when you shut down the PC? (this would make the cache a lot more useful).

[SteveRo]

^^ yes, very nice! I've never used supercache but I have played with (what I think is) a similar program - called fancycache. :)
RAM caching can be very usefull, particularly if you have a lot of main memory, something like 2x8GB or better I would think. :)
Keeping RAM caching as read only should be good option :yepp:
If the machine locks up or blue screens while holding deferred writes in system memory - those deferred writes are probably lost. :(


edit - some ram caching programs do provide the option to save the ram contents to HD at shutdown - does supercache do this? I have no clue.

[Da_maniaC]

Yeah, information on this software seems very scarce on the internet.
I have sent them an e-mail asking to see if i can get some answers.
If it actually keeps a sort of pagefile and can operate easily in read-only mode, this might be a very good alternative to get better performance without getting a very expensive controller (and/or keeping your data intergrity!).
Will keep you posted. :)

[SteveRo]

Another option for folks looking for ram caching is the new Samsung Rapid capability available with all 840 evo drives, enabled via the Samsung Magician utility. :)

Rapid enabled 840 evo 750GB -


http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9081/um97.png (http://img542.imageshack.us/i/um97.png/)


Comparison of 840 evo 750 w/o Rapid on left vs with Rapid on right -


http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6569/e9sd.png (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/e9sd.png/)

[SteveRo]

3xR0 Samsung 840 pro 256GB on z77, z87 and Areca 1882 4GB now added to post #5 of this thread :) - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213924&viewfull=1#post5213924

[SteveRo]

FYI - 4xR0 Samsung 840 pro on z87 and Areca 1882 4GB now added to post #6 of this thread :) - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213925&viewfull=1#post5213925 :up:

[SteveRo]

FYI - PCMark 05 results are added in post #7 - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213926&viewfull=1#post5213926 :)

[SteveRo]

FYI - PCMark Vantage results are added in post #8 - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?287673-Samsung-840-Pro-in-Raid-0-on-z77-z87-(Haswell)-and-Areca-1882&p=5213927&viewfull=1#post5213927 :)