PowerDAW - SATA controllers

[DarkStar_GT]

On the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 motherboard (for the PowerDAW) there are 2 SATA controllers: supporting 6 devices on South Bridge and 4 on Gigabyte SATA2 chip.

-- Is there any performance difference?
-- How does Scan decide which to use for the disks and which for the DVD drives?
-- which one supports the 2 eSATA ports?

[PeteG@Scan]

Hi,

The's minimal performance difference but the ports on the southbridge will always be slightly quicker as it's one less layer to go through (the JMB controller that manages the set of 4 attachs to the southbridge). We use up all 6 on the southbridge with both harddrives and dvd unless requested differently prior to going onto the JMB controller.

The exception to this is if a raid configuration that can be handled by the JMB controller is requested (such as a raid 5) then the second controller is used as that's it's main purpose for inclusion on the board.

I've just double checked the specs on the board (and the board itself) and I can't see any esata connections. Where did you see it listed that the was a pair included?

[DarkStar_GT]

Pete,

Thank you for the info.

I saw the eSATA reference here:
www<removeme>.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigabyte-GA-EX58-UD5-Intel-X58-Sok-1366-PCI-E-20-DDR3-1066-1600-2000-SATA-II-ATX#ProductFeatures
in the "Back Panel" section. I understood that 2 of the 10 SATA board connectors would be used to connect to the eSATA bracket.

(I do not have enough posts to post a url yet )

PS On the UD5 there are 2 eSATA connectors on the bracket (rather than the 1 listed on the above web page).

[PeteG@Scan]

Ahhh yeah, see it now. I didn't see them listed in the manual, but on rechecking the motherboard box the is indeed a back bracket in there.

You can specify which controller you want it on if you want it in. I don't think the build guys fit them as standard so maybe worth making a request when you order. After the ordering phase Phil will contact you and ask you for any build requirements. Just put it in there how you want it configured and we'll sort it for you.

[DarkStar_GT]

Thank you for the clarification