OS2 World Community Forum

OS/2, eCS & ArcaOS - Technical => Hardware => Topic started by: Greggory Shaw on May 19, 2021, 08:06:40 pm

Title: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 19, 2021, 08:06:40 pm
I looked around on the forum but really didn't see anything.

Does anyone remember the best 775 motherboard at that time? I plan on running the latest ArcaOS and Linux on it.


1) I be using a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield Quad-Core processor with 8 GB of memory.

2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?

3) I'll only be using OS/2 and Linux (no gaming) so X850 TX PE?


And I found this on eBay for $116 is it worth it?

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/emQAAOSwmXtgfJXA/s-l1600.jpg)


Quote
Seller - Up for sale is my Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard. It is in excellent working order. The motherboard comes with the following accessories:

-Original Backplate
-Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo and oem cooler
-Asus 8400GS Video Card
-8GB (4x2GB sticks) G.Skill PC2-6400 RAM
-Original Box and Manuals


Thank you,

Greggory






Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: OS4User on May 19, 2021, 08:17:43 pm
Does anyone remember the best 775 motherboard at that time? I plan on running the latest ArcaOS and Linux on it.

I used to  use   Asus P5B Deluxe   with  Q9650  and x850.  On board net and sound worked ok.

I am curiuous why do you need   such old mobo  and CPU ?
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 19, 2021, 08:27:17 pm
Does anyone remember the best 775 motherboard at that time? I plan on running the latest ArcaOS and Linux on it.

I used to  use   Asus P5B Deluxe   with  Q9650  and x850.  On board net and sound worked ok.

I am curiuous why do you need   such old mobo  and CPU ?

I already have an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650  :)

And I'm building two setups, one for OS/2 with the latest supported hardware @ that time (which are old and cheap) and top of the line over the next couple of months.


What is your setup with OS/2 if I may ask?


Greggory

Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: OS4User on May 19, 2021, 08:41:17 pm
What is your setup with OS/2 if I may ask?

Of course you may,  but pls tell  exactly what do want  to know.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 19, 2021, 09:05:21 pm
What is your setup with OS/2 if I may ask?

Of course you may,  but pls tell  exactly what do want  to know.


1) I be using a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield Quad-Core processor with 8 GB of memory.

2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?


Thanks,

Greggory

Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: OS4User on May 19, 2021, 09:29:06 pm
2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?

To my experience  X850  with SNAP   much faster  than any other add-on video card  with Panorama.

But video  integrated  into CPU (not just on-board chip) on Panorama - sometimes much faster than X850  with SNAP.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 20, 2021, 12:27:22 am
2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?

To my experience  X850  with SNAP   much faster  than any other add-on video card  with Panorama.

But video  integrated  into CPU (not just on-board chip) on Panorama - sometimes much faster than X850  with SNAP.


Thank you, I'm probably going to go with the above the video card alone cost over $100.

But I am definitely going to check out the Asus P5B Deluxe and some others with a X850 PE. And just use the Asus 8400GS Video Card on my other build til I get a high end card or see if the integrated GPU works.


CORRECTION - I probably can find it all new for that, but I want it now ;)


Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Neil Waldhauer on May 20, 2021, 02:23:09 am
I stopped building my own computers. If you want to build your own, I can understand that.

A quick look at e-Bay found this system for under $100 including shipping, which will run rings around what you propose to build. Graphics are built into the CPU, so I would use Panorama.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324499818422?hash=item4b8db247b6%3Ag%3AxpYAAOSwliBgOU98&LH_BIN=1 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/324499818422?hash=item4b8db247b6%3Ag%3AxpYAAOSwliBgOU98&LH_BIN=1)

I do not know this seller, nor anything about the system other than that I have been using used Lenovo computers for some time, and I like their excellent manuals.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 20, 2021, 03:39:52 am
I stopped building my own computers. If you want to build your own, I can understand that.

A quick look at e-Bay found this system for under $100 including shipping, which will run rings around what you propose to build. Graphics are built into the CPU, so I would use Panorama.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324499818422?hash=item4b8db247b6%3Ag%3AxpYAAOSwliBgOU98&LH_BIN=1 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/324499818422?hash=item4b8db247b6%3Ag%3AxpYAAOSwliBgOU98&LH_BIN=1)

I do not know this seller, nor anything about the system other than that I have been using used Lenovo computers for some time, and I like their excellent manuals.

Thanks Neil,

But I already have an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield.

And I like messing around with older stuff !


And my main system is going to be build on this and good price too !!!


ASUS PRIME Z590-P LGA 1200 Intel Z590 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813119372?Item=N82E16813119372

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/13-119-372-01.jpg)


--


LIAN LI LANCOOL II BLACK Tempered Glass ATX Case -Black Color -LANCOOL II -X

https://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-2am-000z-00053

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/AFST_132181159632134339b7KKqMIuc9.jpg)


Cheers,


Greggory



Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: OS4User on May 20, 2021, 07:57:47 am
And my main system is going to be build on this and good price too !!!

ASUS PRIME Z590-P LGA 1200 Intel Z590 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

Be careful   with  new  mobo  -  most of them map little memory below the 4G border.
One more issue - missing BIOS or CSM mode  - OS/2 cannot boot at all.
Another issue - on-board net and sound are not supported in OS/2   and   no slots to insert add-on cards.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 20, 2021, 08:12:57 am
And my main system is going to be build on this and good price too !!!

ASUS PRIME Z590-P LGA 1200 Intel Z590 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

Be careful   with  new  mobo  -  most of them map little memory below the 4G border.
One more issue - missing BIOS or CSM mode  - OS/2 cannot boot at all.
Another issue - on-board net and sound are not supported in OS/2   and   no slots to insert add-on cards.

With any luck ArcaOS 5.1 won't need BIOS or CSM mode. There's always USB sound, the network could be a problem.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: ivan on May 20, 2021, 09:44:47 am
Hi Greggory,

Other than wanting to use your old Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield CPU is there any compelling reason for using an Intel CPU for your new unit?

I gave up on Intel years ago in the days of the 486 processor and now use AMD units exclusively in any computer I build.  My latest unit is based on the MSI B550-A PRO board with an AMD Ryzen third gen processor with built in graphics which works very well with the latest ArcaOS.  Unless you insist on Intel processors I would recommend that you give AMD a try.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Neil Waldhauer on May 20, 2021, 03:06:40 pm
I want to comment that the Lian Li cases were beautiful to have. I didn't find that they were better, but they were the best looking cases that I found when I was building systems.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 20, 2021, 03:24:05 pm
And my main system is going to be build on this and good price too !!!

ASUS PRIME Z590-P LGA 1200 Intel Z590 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

Be careful   with  new  mobo  -  most of them map little memory below the 4G border.
One more issue - missing BIOS or CSM mode  - OS/2 cannot boot at all.
Another issue - on-board net and sound are not supported in OS/2   and   no slots to insert add-on cards.

With any luck ArcaOS 5.1 won't need BIOS or CSM mode. There's always USB sound, the network could be a problem.


I need the newer system for work with Win 10 :( that's why I'm building two. But, I will definitely report the results on both.


Thanks Everyone,

Greggory

Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 20, 2021, 03:34:00 pm
Hi Greggory,

Other than wanting to use your old Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield CPU is there any compelling reason for using an Intel CPU for your new unit?

I gave up on Intel years ago in the days of the 486 processor and now use AMD units exclusively in any computer I build.  My latest unit is based on the MSI B550-A PRO board with an AMD Ryzen third gen processor with built in graphics which works very well with the latest ArcaOS.  Unless you insist on Intel processors I would recommend that you give AMD a try.

Hi Ivan,

Thanks for posting I was looking at - ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Gaming Motherboard

It's just that I never tried AMD before and always bought Intel. And I'm looking a the model one below ASUS PRIME Z590-P and about the same price as the AMD board.

So, I'll have to take another look now I was going to buy the latest of everything, but why I'm not a gamer ! So, settled on a Core i7 10700K then now coming to my senses I only really need an i5 processor.

One plus for the Intel board is that it supports 11th Generation Core family and I don't buy new computers very often, so I can upgrade for years.

This helped - User Benchmark: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core i7-10700K

https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-10700K-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600X/4070vs4084


So, after all the typing mainly I just wanted it now, Lol :)


Thx,

Greggory
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Andi B. on May 20, 2021, 06:15:04 pm
Quote
2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?
It depends :-)

If you're happy with 1920x1200 then X300/X500/X800 would be good enough. In that case I would prefer a X300 without fan. But I couldn't find a X300 with 2 DVI so I use 1 monitor with DVI and the second one via analog RGB attached (2 times 1920x1200). If you need more resolution like 3840x2160 you need a more modern graphic chip with DisplayPort (or HDMI2.x at least). See https://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,2389.msg28545.html#msg28545 and you've to use Panorama.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 21, 2021, 06:16:32 pm
Quote
2) Is best to still use a X800 or X850 TX PE with SNAP accelerated. or a newer high-end card using the Panorama driver?
It depends :-)

If you're happy with 1920x1200 then X300/X500/X800 would be good enough. In that case I would prefer a X300 without fan. But I couldn't find a X300 with 2 DVI so I use 1 monitor with DVI and the second one via analog RGB attached (2 times 1920x1200). If you need more resolution like 3840x2160 you need a more modern graphic chip with DisplayPort (or HDMI2.x at least). See https://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,2389.msg28545.html#msg28545 and you've to use Panorama.


Thanks Andi,

I went with an ATI X800 I couldn't find a x850 in good enough condition and got tired of looking.

Can Linux use the ATI Crossfire setup or even OS/2? I was looking for that just for kicks and play around with it. Does anyone have experience with the ATI Crossfire.

Or more like can I use Crossfire dual boot with Linux and will OS/2 boot with a Crossfire setup.

Anyaways I went with this board, I'll report back later - ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP <GREEN> LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

Greggory

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/13-131-025-02.jpg)
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 22, 2021, 12:33:00 am
Linux likely doesn't even support the X800, little well crossfire on it. No idea about OS/2, Snap doesn't mention it.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Eugene Tucker on May 23, 2021, 08:31:06 pm
I had a ATI 800 and it worked with Snap then I upgraded to an ATI 850 and I still have it in a box. It too worked will with SNAP. The 850 was the last card that I had that worked with the SNAP driver. I tink maybe and Nvidia 6600 worked too. but I am not certain.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 23, 2021, 08:55:28 pm
I had a ATI 800 and it worked with Snap then I upgraded to an ATI 850 and I still have it in a box. It too worked will with SNAP. The 850 was the last card that I had that worked with the SNAP driver. I tink maybe and Nvidia 6600 worked too. but I am not certain.

Yes, they all work with Snap, I even had a Nvidia 8800 IIRC, that worked after turning on the unsupported option. It's whether they work with crossfire or the Nvidia equivalent.
If you look at x:\os2\drivers\snap\graphics.bpd there is a list of all (un)supported drivers, for Nvidia, it goes up to the 8800 GTS and for ATI, the Radeon X1900 seems like the latest.
There were also patches floating around to get slightly newer cards working, assuming the same driver worked, for example perhaps the X1950 would work with a patch.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 25, 2021, 04:46:42 am
I had a ATI 800 and it worked with Snap then I upgraded to an ATI 850 and I still have it in a box. It too worked will with SNAP. The 850 was the last card that I had that worked with the SNAP driver. I tink maybe and Nvidia 6600 worked too. but I am not certain.

Yes, they all work with Snap, I even had a Nvidia 8800 IIRC, that worked after turning on the unsupported option. It's whether they work with crossfire or the Nvidia equivalent.
If you look at x:\os2\drivers\snap\graphics.bpd there is a list of all (un)supported drivers, for Nvidia, it goes up to the 8800 GTS and for ATI, the Radeon X1900 seems like the latest.
There were also patches floating around to get slightly newer cards working, assuming the same driver worked, for example perhaps the X1950 would work with a patch.


Hi Dave,

Do you have an idea to where I can get that patch?


Thanks Greggory
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 25, 2021, 07:02:29 am
IIRC, I saw a patch or 2 uploaded to Hobbes.
It shouldn't be too hard to use a binary editor on graphics.bbp and edit something close to what you need, changing the PCI ID and name of card. I've never tried and it really depends on the chipset being similar enough to what is supported.
As usual, your mileage may vary and backup just in case something goes badly wrong.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: David Kiley on May 25, 2021, 09:02:52 am
And I like messing around with older stuff !

Cheers,


Greggory
Hi Greggory,
I like old stuff too :).
When I was going to install os/2 on an old rig I read good compatibility reports for  the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L which would work with your CPU. That motherboard has all solid caps too.. good for durability.
As I remember everything was reported to work except for the nic - but it is easy to get a pci nic to throw in there.
You would also need a graphics card for it since that motherboard doesn't have a built in integrated video.

I ended up deciding emulating arcaos is the best bet for me though so I didn't end up using the board myself and ended up donating the board to a friend - just passing along what I had read about it though.

David Kiley
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 28, 2021, 02:08:32 pm
And I like messing around with older stuff !

Cheers,


Greggory
Hi Greggory,
I like old stuff too :).
When I was going to install os/2 on an old rig I read good compatibility reports for  the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L which would work with your CPU. That motherboard has all solid caps too.. good for durability.
As I remember everything was reported to work except for the nic - but it is easy to get a pci nic to throw in there.
You would also need a graphics card for it since that motherboard doesn't have a built in integrated video.

I ended up deciding emulating arcaos is the best bet for me though so I didn't end up using the board myself and ended up donating the board to a friend - just passing along what I had read about it though.

David Kiley

Thx, David

But I already ordered a ASUS P5W DH DELUXE board (based on OS2USER's suggestion of the P5 Deluxe) and an ATI X1900 from Dave !!! And it comes with two nics and just about every other port available at that time, hopefully they work.

I had the idea to buy everything new, but that ended up being about $2,000 or more, wow, old hardware as some value.

Here's what I got for less than $300 !!! The power supply and tower were both $30 off from Newegg and Amazon gave me $70 off too.

And I'm going to throw in a pair of Seagate ST1000LM014 1TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5" SSHD Bare Drives in a RAID setup.


 ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP <GREEN> LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/13-131-025-02.jpg)


NEW 2 packs OCZ Technology PC2-6400 4GB kit(1x4) 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM DIMM Memory

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mU0AAOSwWelgNE4M/s-l1600.jpg)


ATI Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express (PCIe) Dual DVI Video Card w/TV-Out

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/06IAAOSwGzlTwKdT/s-l1600.jpg)


SAMSUNG 870 EVO Series 2.5" 500GB SATA III V-NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-77E500B/AM

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/20-147-792-V01.jpg)


DIYPC Silence-BK-Window Black SPCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/11-353-105-05.jpg)


EVGA 500 BA 100-BA-0500-K1 500W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI CrossFire 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Non-Modular Active PFC Power Supply

(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/17-438-188-V01.jpg)



Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 28, 2021, 04:57:39 pm
Hi Greggory,
Not sure if a RAID setup will work under OS/2, a hardware one might but then you're stuck if your MB dies unless you get another close to the same.
Another consideration is ideally the SSD's should be partitioned in such a way that the physical 4k blocks line up with the JFS logical 4k blocks. IIRC, there is a switch in the AHCI driver to make it easier or else have to do the math.
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 28, 2021, 05:55:16 pm
Hi Greggory,
Not sure if a RAID setup will work under OS/2, a hardware one might but then you're stuck if your MB dies unless you get another close to the same.
Another consideration is ideally the SSD's should be partitioned in such a way that the physical 4k blocks line up with the JFS logical 4k blocks. IIRC, there is a switch in the AHCI driver to make it easier or else have to do the math.


Thanks Dave

I didn't know about 4k block configuration.

I have an OS/2 compatible RAID card from a long ago somewhere.


Greggory


Update - Dave - sense I ordered another motherboard and changed my mind, I may as well use Linux setup RAID on that, thx
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Doug Bissett on May 28, 2021, 06:47:01 pm
Quote
Not sure if a RAID setup will work under OS/2, a hardware one might but then you're stuck if your MB dies unless you get another close to the same.

Even if it is a hardware RAID (highly unlikely), it might not work in OS/2. Some years ago, I got a SATA PCI adapter, so I could use SATA disks in my antique Asus P4VP-MX machine (I use that machine as an ArcaOS based NAS box, with a 2 TB drive). It has a hardware RAID on the card, but it is not usable with OS/2, simply because it needs a driver to turn RAID on at boot time. The whole RAID setup is done by code that is attached to the BIOS (no OS required), but it needs that driver to actually turn it on, or it just uses the basic, single drive, disk access (which is exactly what I want anyway). I did not bother to try to make RAID work <see below>.

At the time, I did some reading about how RAID actually works (there is more than one method), and quickly came to the conclusion that RAID is a rich man's toy, that isn't worth the work, or expense. Sure, if you are doing medical monitoring, or  the machine isn't available for manual repair (like space craft), when storage goes bad, but in a normal work station it is nothing but unnecessary overhead. High performance, high demand, servers may justify it, but, as Arca Noae found out, if the RAID controller goes bad, it can take out ALL of the copies, leaving you to rebuild your system manually (you still need to make good backups, and that is less work than trying to manage a RAID). It is also a good idea to get a spare disk, because they all need to match, and a match may not be available when one goes bad (probably won't happen in the next 30 years anyway).

The rest looks like it should work, but you are probably spending more money than it will be worth. If you use the machine to run games, under windows, it might be worth it, but you are selecting a lot of expensive (even with discounts) hardware, that isn't going to do anything for OS/2 (the video adapter, for instance - most modern processors come with a video adapter built in, that will run circles around older devices, when using Panorama). Ask yourself: "what are you going to do with 1 TB of disk space?". Even 500 GB of disk space remains mostly empty, on my systems (except the 2 TB drive, which contains multiple backups of all of the rest of my systems).

Those large disks lead to a user not maintaining their disk space, which adds to the size of backups, and not being able to find what you are looking for. I know, for sure, that about 30% of the data on my HDDs should be removed (80%, if you count windows), but it is just too much work to do it. It would have been easy, if I had maintained a 250 GB disk, over the years. My two 1 TB drives are left with large empty spaces, just waiting for something to get lost on them. My most efficient system has a 30 GB disk, and 6 GB of that is taken up by win98 (I boot that about once per year, just because...). ArcaOS 5.0.6 is quite happy with the rest. Of course, I don't keep my photos, or music collection, on that disk. They get saved to a DVD (it does have a DVD drive - USB also works, but it is a single USB1 port), and that works just as well as having them on the HDD (I don't use that machine much anyway).

I did replace 500 GB HDDs, with 500 GB SSDs, on two of my laptops. That was not to gain speed (it helps), but more for shock protection. The price, of SSDs, is now in the "reasonable" range. If you want "high speed" disk, get a high performance NVME device, but be sure that it will use all 4 PCIe lanes for data transfer (4 lanes seems to be what is now available, it should be possible to use all 16 lanes, when/if the devices are produced).
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Greggory Shaw on May 29, 2021, 03:21:38 pm
Quote
Not sure if a RAID setup will work under OS/2, a hardware one might but then you're stuck if your MB dies unless you get another close to the same.

Even if it is a hardware RAID (highly unlikely), it might not work in OS/2. Some years ago, I got a SATA PCI adapter, so I could use SATA disks in my antique Asus P4VP-MX machine (I use that machine as an ArcaOS based NAS box, with a 2 TB drive). It has a hardware RAID on the card, but it is not usable with OS/2, simply because it needs a driver to turn RAID on at boot time. The whole RAID setup is done by code that is attached to the BIOS (no OS required), but it needs that driver to actually turn it on, or it just uses the basic, single drive, disk access (which is exactly what I want anyway). I did not bother to try to make RAID work <see below>.

Yes, it's hardware based with an OS/2 driver in a Dell Power workstation.

Quote
At the time, I did some reading about how RAID actually works (there is more than one method), and quickly came to the conclusion that RAID is a rich man's toy, that isn't worth the work, or expense. Sure, if you are doing medical monitoring, or  the machine isn't available for manual repair (like space craft), when storage goes bad, but in a normal work station it is nothing but unnecessary overhead. High performance, high demand, servers may justify it, but, as Arca Noae found out, if the RAID controller goes bad, it can take out ALL of the copies, leaving you to rebuild your system manually (you still need to make good backups, and that is less work than trying to manage a RAID). It is also a good idea to get a spare disk, because they all need to match, and a match may not be available when one goes bad (probably won't happen in the next 30 years anyway).

Yes, I change my mind in the middle of ordering parts, so I going to setup a Linux server for RAID.

Quote
The rest looks like it should work, but you are probably spending more money than it will be worth. If you use the machine to run games, under windows, it might be worth it, but you are selecting a lot of expensive (even with discounts) hardware, that isn't going to do anything for OS/2 (the video adapter, for instance - most modern processors come with a video adapter built in, that will run circles around older devices, when using Panorama). Ask yourself: "what are you going to do with 1 TB of disk space?". Even 500 GB of disk space remains mostly empty, on my systems (except the 2 TB drive, which contains multiple backups of all of the rest of my systems).

It's for playing around as stated above.

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Those large disks lead to a user not maintaining their disk space, which adds to the size of backups, and not being able to find what you are looking for. I know, for sure, that about 30% of the data on my HDDs should be removed (80%, if you count windows), but it is just too much work to do it. It would have been easy, if I had maintained a 250 GB disk, over the years. My two 1 TB drives are left with large empty spaces, just waiting for something to get lost on them. My most efficient system has a 30 GB disk, and 6 GB of that is taken up by win98 (I boot that about once per year, just because...). ArcaOS 5.0.6 is quite happy with the rest. Of course, I don't keep my photos, or music collection, on that disk. They get saved to a DVD (it does have a DVD drive - USB also works, but it is a single USB1 port), and that works just as well as having them on the HDD (I don't use that machine much anyway).

I used that much space and more because I ripped all my DVDs. And I have 8 websites that get backed up daily in 30 day cycles. Three times on the hosted, cloud, and now home, plus the databases only.

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I did replace 500 GB HDDs, with 500 GB SSDs, on two of my laptops. That was not to gain speed (it helps), but more for shock protection. The price, of SSDs, is now in the "reasonable" range. If you want "high speed" disk, get a high performance NVME device, but be sure that it will use all 4 PCIe lanes for data transfer (4 lanes seems to be what is now available, it should be possible to use all 16 lanes, when/if the devices are produced).

And as stated above I'm building a top of the line box for work too (Win 10).


Thx

Greggory
Title: Re: Best 775 socket motherboard for a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield QuadCore
Post by: Dave Yeo on May 29, 2021, 06:14:56 pm
Yea, everyone has different usages. Another consideration is that most file systems such as JFS work best with lots of empty space.