Disk performance: should I be seeing better?

[NewDude]

I'm doing a build on a Dell T30 - I know it's low end, but there are reasons (like trying to get the entire cluster to run on a 15amp circuit, and only needing 2 machines to migrate my VMs to the new location so I can bring datacenter boxes home and re-purpose them...)

My goal was to put a dedicated SATA controller into the computer to insure proper throughput, but trying to flash an LSI controller into IT mode has left me very frustrated this morning, and I'm considering going without.

So here's what I'm seeing:

Performance with the computer Stock: Windows installed on the 1TB drive the machine shipped with:



Performance with the computer running Proxmox with a ZFS Mirror (just 2 drives), Windows running on a VM:



So, my question: should I be seeing better than this from a SATA controller, or is the controller on the motherboard about as good as I'm going to get? The drives are Toshiba N300 4TB drives. (I'm trying to determine whether I should pull all of my hair out trying to flash this stupid card when the LSI web site has changed and no old links work, or buy a new card that will do what I need, or simply leave things as-is. I'm happy to put more effort/money into this - I want to max out the performance of this box - but not if I won't see any noticeable gains.)

 

[wolfgang]

Hi,

general onbord controller are as good as HBA when you use them with ZFS.

IMHO onbord are better because the latancy is lower ;-)

 

[NewDude]

general onbord controller are as good as HBA when you use them with ZFS.

IMHO onbord are better because the latancy is lower ;-)

Thanks, Wolfgang. I appreciate the confirmation that I'm doing OK with what I've got.