Intel 520 + LSI 9260 performance issues

[jcool]

Hey folks,

getting some really crappy results out of 4x Intel 520 240GB SSDs in R0 on an Intel RS2BL040 (= LSI 9260) Controller. I can't get over ~800MB/s sequential out of the array no matter what I try (tested CDM, AS SSD, and lots of other tools). Is there some sort of known compatibility issue with Sandforce drives and this controller? But I can't imagine, considering both pieces of hardware run Intel firmware.

Or could the issue be related to the fact I'm using an EVGA SR-2 motherboard, thus the card being controlled by those cursed NF200 chips?

Basically my question is whether another Raid card would fare better here.. I seem to recall people getting good results with Areca on the SR-2? What I'm looking for is good overall performance here.

[Anvil]

The SR-2 can do much better!

Someone used 2x 9260-8i's with the SR-2 in this forum and got great results, NF200 was an issue but I can't recall to what extent.
I haven't "seen" him for a long time, will try to see if I can find the thread. (he was the thread starter so it's not part of some other thread)

Have you tried other slots?

[jcool]

Not yet, that is next on the agenda. 2x HD7970's blocking slots 1-4, controller is in slot 5 at the moment. Full WC so can't really move the GFX cards.

Edit: I know it can do better, I've set up 8x Vertex 3's in a span array on 2x Areca 1880's for a customer a while back, and I got over 3500MB/s sequential in CDM. Just a weird combo of cards and slots, maybe...

[Anvil]

Here's a link to the thread

Link

[jcool]

Thanks... so he was using 3 cards initially, then went to another motherboard, which didn't improve performance...? I'll try swapping slots and report back...

[jcool]

Swapping slots did not help. Ordered an Areca 1882i. We shall see :P

[Anvil]

Weird that it did not help.
It could be a bad combo of components, I've never had issues getting the 9260 working except for some issues where it was unable to load pre-boot setup (WebBIOS).
(not an issue for me as I don't boot on the raid controller, easily configurable using MSM)

Let us know how it works out.

[jcool]

Putting the 1882 in Slot 6 worked well. Performance is now at ~1.8GB/s sequential with 4x R0, 4k qd32 values also doubled to 300-400MB/s, latency decreased. AS SSD Score went from 708 to 1500 something. Winsat showed 1780MB/s seq. read and the max. delay was 1.8ms which is awesome
Will use the LSI/Intel Controller in another rig (without NF200's...) with 2-4x Plextor M3s now, should work better.