Silicon Image SIL57XX Controller VS Intel ICH10R (Asus P5Q Series/Maximus II Formula)

[XtremeTiramisu]

The new Silicon Image SIL57XX (SIL5723/5733/5743/5744) controller seems to be a very nice additional feature for setting up RAID config, especially for person who wants to setup RAID 0 array for the first time like myself.
The Sil5723 controller is embedded in the new released Asus P5Q series and the upcomming Maximus II Formula (P45).

Asus Maximus II Formula

Speeding HDD – If you install two newly formatted drives into the Silicon Image 5723 SATA ports, the system will automatically stripe the drives (RAID 0) without the need for drivers. A switch in the BIOS or the enclosed software utility allows for RAID 1 operation. The beauty of this setup is that the SI 5723 performs all array calculations in hardware and does not require special OS driver support. The OS sees the arrays as standard ATA devices. Performance is on par with the ICH10R in our testing. AnandTech - ASUS Introduces the Maximus II Formula featuring the new Intel P45

Asus Maximus II Formula Manual





Extensive readings on Silicon Image Sil57XX controllers:
SteelVine Storage Processors Gen. 2 (Sil 57XX Controllers)
Sil57XX Controller - FAST (RAID 0)


Finally, let's discuss which is the better performer in terms of pure speed. While the new embedded Sil5723 controller found on new Asus P5Q series and Maximus II Formula motherboards give user an easy setup to enjoy fast RAID 0 config, is there a cost in performance for a boost in convenience? Perhaps, will the Intel ICH10R controller outperforms the Sil5723 controller in the future with newer Intel Matrix Storage Driver?(Current driver: 8.2.0.1001) Which controller do you think may be better future friendly, by better I mean in terms of pure performance in speed. To my understandings on the Sil5723 controller, it seems there is no room for further improvment or advancement from software/driver update becouse everything is hardware controlled. Intel ICH10R on the other hand, seems to have wider room for improvement in performance or compatibility from future released Intel Matrix Storage driver update regularily. But if we just focus in performance, will the Sil5723 still going to be performing on par with Intel ICH10R?

It may be still a bit early to discuss this topic, but please tell us what you think, I'm sure there will be more infos to be shared as time goes on.

XT