KT 7 RAID, IBM GXPs + RT2000

[fasterbaby]

I have been working on my system for three weeks now and nothing seems to be fine-tuned yet.
My rt2000 crashes with sblive! (but this is not the issue) and my 2 ibm 30g GXPs (same as yours EQuito) show decent figures on hdtach but also a ridiculous cpu usage (72%)

My guess:
I figured I didn't enable DMA (wasn't it already set by default though)coz:

1) same benchmark on my IDE 1 IBM w/out dma >> low figures and huge cpu usage
2) RT2000 disk benchmark >> ide 1 passes w/dma enabled
ide 3 and 4 don't pass although they show highest data tranfers (lowest can reach 0,700 mbyte)
3) hd tach graph shows very unstable performances

So my question is:

how can I enable DMA on my ide3 and 4?
or where's the problem?

I am just a newbie on this forum and this message was already posted on the kt7 raid forum. I was then told to check this group for further tips.

Thanks for any hints

Athlon 900mhz @ 900 mhz
ABIT KT7-RAID
3x128 hyunday PC133 RAM
1 IBM GXP 307030 7200rpm ATA100 on ide1
2x IBM GXPs 307030 7200rpm ATA100 striped on array 0
(ide 3 and 4)
G400 3d flex
RT2000
DVD ROM 16x
SCSI adapter for scanner
(used to have) SB LIVE!

[Pertti]

Sorry fasterbaby, but...

If you want to build a no-nonsence editing rig, the best alternatives for motherboard are still "standard", plain boards (no exotic value added features), based on Intel BX chipset.

If you want RAID (not necessary), then it is better to do it with an add-on adapter (Promise has a great success rate here) since it will not compromise the compatibility and stability of the motherboard (which is btw. the MOST important component in the system).

A combination of VIA chipset and an integrated Highpoint controller could be an interesting challenge (configuration wise), but not something I would build my editing system on (unless testing it was the sole purpose)

If you connect all your drives to the standard IDE controller, does the situation improve ?

[Dr Mordrid]

I'll second and third what Pertti has brought up. The combination of a VIA chipset and a HighPoint controller is a nightmare in waiting, especially when combined with a high-bandwidth device like the RT-2000. I'll stick with my setup...

Dr. Mordrid


------------------
Asus P3B-F 6 PCI
PIII/850
Gigabyte GA-6R7+ slotkey
Matrox G400/Flex3D
Matrox RT-2000
256 megs RAM
Promise SuperTrak100 (4 x 60g IBM 75GXP: 240g RAID0)
AWE64 Gold

[fasterbaby]

Thanks for your answers guys. I appreciated.
Unfortunately I got to find this forum evidently too late.
It's not that I am an anti-intelian or whatever but I thought this system (that had to work w/ a dv200 at first) could offer the best performance/price ratio.
I didn't know anything about rt2000 compatibility issues especially coz buying it wasn't in my plans till a month ago.
I sticked for this board because of the qualities we all have the chance to appreciate but troubles were inevitably on my way.
Now the system seems to be quite steady but there are a few things I don't like (Doc mentioned some of 'em).
In Italy we say "now that you have the bike, ride it" and that's what I will do at least for the next few months.
If these annoying features will bother me too much, I don't hide the chance to sell my cpu and mobo and come back to the market... but for that time... I will hear about me again.

Thanks for now guys
Thanks a lot

[Jerry Jones]

I wouldn't give up just yet!

There are, indeed, some motherboard bios
tweaks that have made *all* the difference
in the world for users of Via chipsets
that are as new as yours!

Granted, I'm taking this from the Canopus
DV Raptor forum and users of the Asus A7V motherboard, which uses the Via KT133 chipset.

But I'm very curious to know if you might
achieve the same success with RT2000.

You may be using the same bios as they did
and if these bios settings are available
to you - these are what enabled functionality for DV Raptor users:

>1. System Performance Setting -- Optimal
>2. Spread Spectrum Control -- Enabled
>3. PCI Master Read Caching -- Enabled
>4. Delayed Transaction -- Enabled
>5. PCI to DRAM Prefetch -- Enabled
>6. Byte Merge -- Enabled

You may have to enable:

>1. PCI Master Read Caching
>2. Delayed Transaction
>3. Byte Merge

Something else that may help you... Mr.
Tyler Hawes of Krysalis Productions in
Vancouver, Washington, USA is an expert
in building non-linear video editing
systems around the motherboards that
support AMD processors.

Hawes *insists* in his communications to
me that bios tweaking knowledge is what
he has over his competitors.

He told me "Jerry, there's nothing at all
to worry about with the Via KT133 chipset. I build systems around it all the time."

Here is his company Web site. You might
ask him a question or two:
http://www.krysalisproductions.com/systems.htm

I'm personally awaiting the release of the AMD 760 chipset.

Good luck!

[KRSESQ]

Fasterbaby:

Did a little checking on the Matrox site and FWIW:

Both the VIA KX133 chipset and the KT133 chipset have been tested and approved for the RT2000 (in the Asus K7V and the Iwill KV200, respectively). Both mobos are on the RT2000 hardware compatibility list. Matrox recommends VIA's 4 in 1 drivers with the AGP driver installed in turbo mode. They also recommend an AGP aperture size of 256 MB. This in addition to the tweaks suggested by Mr. Jones may help with the problems you've been having.

The main hangup may be the Highpoint RAID controller integrated into your mobo. If nothing else works, you may want to consider disabling it in BIOS and trying a Fasttrack. I know this defeats the purpose of getting the K7-RAID motherboard, but such is the wonderful world of computers. Or, if you're feeling lucky, you can try flashing the BIOS.

I have yet to hear anything good about the Highpoint for this application.

Kevin

[Haig]

We have a KT7 raid system setup in tech supp. Using the via 4in1 V4.25 was horrible. We had much better and stable performance using the 4in1 V4.23 and V4.26.

If you are using the 4.25, use the installer of 4.26 or 4.23 ro remove V4.25, reboot and then install either the 4.23 or 4.26. Then re-install the RT driver set.

Haig