Master/Slave question

[mcahren]

Hello, me again.

Are there performance issues to be considered when configuring the master/slave settings on drives, and the pairing up of the components?

I am building a machine to act as a DVR (like TiVo), and for video editing. I have two Seagate 80G drives, a CDRW, and a DVD+-RW. One of the seagates will be used for OS, programs, etc., the other dedicated to video and DVR. Should I put them on seperate IDE channels?

Should I aviod placing the same hard drive that will primarily be used to store video on the same IDE as the DVD Burner (on which I will be burning video)?

Logic tells me yes, but I'm not super technical, and wanted to confirm from someone who understands these things.

Also, is performance effected by whether a device is the master or slave, or vice-versa?

Finally, refresh my memory.. The master device should be connected closest to the mobo, the slave at the end of the ribbon, correct?

Thanks!!!

McAhren

[Fastfly]

not to sure but I think if you can get some hands on some 80wire IDE cables....set the HD and DVD to Cable instead of Slave or Master and should automatically do this.


anyone have more word on this.

[Alienware_Dude]

For the HDDs, set the jumpers on both to 'Cable Select', and place the Master on the Black connector, and the Slave on the Grey connector. I would suggest you put the two HDDs on IDE0, and the two opticals on IDE1. The Master/Slave configuration is up to you, as it doesn't matter performance-wise.

[ktkendall]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of the master/slave setup, wether it is with cable select or hard jumper setting for master/slave is that both drives will perform to their rated speed it's just that they share the channel and can not both be transferring data at the same time. if both try to do so, one will have to wait its turn untill the other one is done. I do adhere to what I've read here though that is is good practice to keep HD's on pri channel and opticals togother on sec chanel.

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by ktkendall Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of the master/slave setup, wether it is with cable select or hard jumper setting for master/slave is that both drives will perform to their rated speed it's just that they share the channel and can not both be transferring data at the same time.

I think I read here on a thread that burst data transfer speed will go to slowest amongst the two if both are on same cable select setup.

[LiGhTBoY]

If you have a faster transfer (ata100) drive and you connect it on the same cable that has a slower transfer rate (< ata100) then the transfer rate will be that of the slowest drive.

[Cricket]

Read this thread about the subject.

Cricket