Maxtor DiamondMax 10: Exploring NCQ & RAID
Single Drive & Mirrored Performance (Cont.)
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The slight increase in CPU utilization between a single drive and a mirrored pair of drives is expected. The 0% utilization for the pair of Raptors in mirrored mode was not expected. But the test was repeated several times with the same results. Either the Raptors averaged less than 1% CPU utilization or HD Tach wasn't able to record the data accurately in this mode.
The higher rotational speed of the Raptors consistently brings the data to the read heads faster. It is interesting to note as well that the DiamondMax 9 drive is slightly faster getting to its data than the DiamondMax 10.
The performance differences are consistent across the platter surface with the Raptor (blue) on top, DiamondMax 10 (red) next and the DiamondMax Plus 9 (green) slowest.
Single/Mirrored Drive Summary:
Clearly, Maxtor has made some improvements in overall performance on the DiamondMax line between the 9 series and 10 series. Aside from the slightly lower seek time of the DiamondMax Plus 9, the DiamondMax 10 was better in every category. The Raptors pure rotational velocity still gives it the advantage in sustained operations. However, the NCQ capabilities on the DiamondMax 10 are able to overcome the 2800 RPM deficit against the Raptors under the right conditions.
