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From: norcott@databs.enet.dec.com (Bill Norcott)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi
Subject: Re: Comments on 269n wanted...
Message-ID: <20549@shlump.nac.dec.com>
Date: 26 Feb 91 21:29:41 GMT
Sender: newsdaemon@shlump.nac.dec.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 37


In article <1991Feb26.013737.16024@scuzzy.in-berlin.de>, src@scuzzy.in-berlin.de (Heiko Blume) writes...
>c_s144010423@stat.appstate.edu writes:
> 
>>Does anyone have any experience using a Seagate 84Meg scsi drive model
>>269n?  I presently have a 157n and a Future Domain controller and am
>>thinking of upgrading.  Any comments on the MTBF or problems with the
>>269n?
> 
I have been very satified with mine.  It is very cheap in terms of $/MB.
Using the Future Domain controller will yield the same transfer rate as the
Seagate ST01... about 440 KB/sec.  I have tried both.  

This is slow by SCSI standards but it is faster than most MFM drives, 
and come near the price/capacity in MFM.

With the Adaptec 1542B controller, the transfer rate is much better... ~660
KB/sec with CORETEST.  This is better than RLL disks.  By the way, I feel
that CORETEST is not a fair test for SCSI disks because it reads tracks
whereas SCSI transfers by blocks, which may or may not span tracks.  In
real life, SCSI is considerably faster than indicated by CORETEST.

The 1542B is not recommended for 1:1 interleave, they recommend 2:1.  The 
drive does not seem to have track buffering, so it makes a difference.  At
1:1 (with the ST01) it transfers at ~40 KB/sec... it is slipping 1:1 and
having to make many spins.  The 440KB/sec is at 2:1.  With the Adaptec I
have measured it at 1:1.  I think the controller has track buffering which
masks some of the effect of interleave, I will try 2:1 tonight and let 
you know.

I have upgraded to a CDC Wren 3 (155 MB) but am keeping the ST296N.  I feel
it is the price/performance leader for < 100 MB.

Abother possibility if you don't mind salvage is the Maxtor LXT100 which 
is 96 meg and IME is selling for 299.  They have quicker access time.

Bill Norcott