Lab Tests: PCI Ultra-Wide SCSI Controllers By Mike Breeden Published: February 1998
Intro | Cards Tested  | ATTO Benchmark | FWB Benchtest  | Time Drive | MacBench | Summary
Overview of the Cards and Companies
Note: Remember this article contains info and pricing from early 1998 - models may not longer be available now and prices change over time. Prices here were accurate as of Feb. 1998 when the article was written, but have changed (reduced) over time. The Cards: To provide you with as complete a comparison as possible, I obtained four of the most popular single-channel SCSI cards available for the MacOS: Adaptec 2940UW ATTO expressPCI Initio 9100UW ("Miles") Hammerstorage JackHammer If time allows, I may add a separate page for each SCSI card with photos, etc. In the meantime, you can see a larger image of the card by clicking on any of the smaller images. All cards are advertised as offering similar features, including wide and narrow SCSI connectors, Ultra-SCSI transfers and tagged command queueing (que depth varies as noted). Note: Regardless of vendor claims to the contrary, according to FWB's SCSI Configure utility, only the Initio Miles card supported a command que. As the Miles card was not the top performer in most tests it seems the MacOS SCSI manager does not take advantage of that feature.
Card Features Summary
Adaptec 2940UW: One of the oldest and most popular cards from the company that's been in the SCSI business since day one. The 2940UW is by far the most popular SCSI card on both platforms. Although the Risc engine used on this card does not support command queing as deep as the other cards (8 commands vs 128 for the Initio for instance), the card does very well in most tests. Depending on the kit type (OEM or full retail package), the Adaptec may or may not come with cables, but includes a well written Mac-specific manual with excellent installation and explanations of scsi basics such as termination and daisy chaining devices. Adaptec's standard software includes a PowerDomain control panel with matching bios version and a DiskBasics application for disk driver installs.
Note: Adaptec supplied me with a updated 3.0 bios and control panel (soon to be available to the public), which contained interrupt code improvements for OS 7.6 and later. Performance did seem to be improved in some tests, worse in others, but the PowerForce issue remains. Average Street Price: appx. $300 (OEM/card only versions often offered for less) Warranty: 5 years.
ATTO expressPCI: ATTO is a well-respected name in SCSI controllers on both platforms, and is often cited by VAR's as having superior performance to the more popular Adaptec card. Based on the popular Symbios 53C875 Risc engine the card is compact and performs well. Their web site mentions ADS (Advanced Data Streaming) but it was not mentioned at all in the manual I had. The ATTO kits may or may not come with cables, depending on retailer packages. ATTO supplies a manual that covers all platforms and was not of the clarity and quality of the Adaptec manual, but did provide a better description of the software controls. Supplied software included an system extension (needed for removable drives only) and a Tools application for installing drivers and configuring the card.
The ATTO tools had the widest array of controller configuration options, although most users should not change them from the defaults. I liked the ATTO Tools benchmark feature so well I used it for this review. Apple is also using the ATTO card as an option for their new G3 models. While not as detailed as the FWB benchtest, it was another tool for comparison. Bios version used for this test was 1.1. Their web site currently has version 1.2 available now, but the changes made would not affect this particular card setup or the test results according to the description of changes made (applicable to other models). Average Street Price: appx. $350 (basic kit) Warranty: 5 years.
Initio 9100UW Miles: Although Initio is new to the Mac market, it is comforting to know the company was founded by ex-Adaptec employees. They offer a wide range of single, dual and even quad-channel cards for the PC, but the Miles is their first MacOS product. I was very pleased to report the cards worked extremely well with the PowerForce G3 card, even in a dual card setup. The Miles package supplied was a full retail version which included wide and narrow scsi ribbon cables and a OEM copy of FWB's Hard Disk ToolKit PE (v2.06) for driver installation and disk setup. The card features automatic termination and is totally plug and play with no software extensions or control panels required or supplied. Since they make PC and Mac cards, be sure to specify the "Miles" Mac model when ordering.
While the printed documentation was sparse, consisting of only a brochure size document, since the card is completely plug-and-play with no software controls, it is adequate. Athough it was released after this review, Initio has a control utility available for download at their web site (that includes a new 1.03 bios). Get it at: http://www.initio.com/91miles.htm. Note: The bios revision used for this review was 1.01, but Initio has just released a new 1.03 version that addresses the problems I saw in MacBench and adds a SCSI utility as well. A must update for Miles card owners! Feedback indicates the new 1.03 bios addresses all the issues I saw in this review - the bios update came months after this review was written. Compatibility Issues: The firmware used in this review (1998 initial release) of the Miles card is not compatible with Apple's virtual Memory or Connectix's Ram Doubler 2. Update: Initio's Firmware Updates page now has a firmware update to address the VM issue. There is currently a Initio Miles/Conley and SoftRaid 2.0 bundle available for approx. $220 (w/cables) at MacGurus. Average Street Price: appx. $220 (w/cables) Warranty: 5 years.
Hammerstorage Jackhammer SE: (Update: Hammerstorage was later bought out by Rorke. See this FAQ Note for info on firmware updates and Jackhammer info.) The Jackhammer and Sledgehammer controllers have been a well known name and favorite since the Nubus days of the Mac. They have a reputation for great performance, which was verified here. Streamlogic support is my only reservation about this product. Although packages can vary, the one supplied by MacGurus included narrow and wide scsi cables, full OEM FWB Hard Disk Toolkit and an excellent illustrated manual with a section devoted to SCSI terminology and principles. You can find this type of information of the Net of course, but it's still nice to see it in print. Owners may want to read the Rorke JackHammer Product page for more info, updates and trade-in offers. Be aware that as with other packages here, OEM versions of Hard Disk ToolKit may not qualify for standard upgrade pricing.
The Jackhammer bios and control panel revision used was 1.3. The control panel was one of the most complete of the bunch. If time allows, I'll add a page showing its many options. Average Street Price: appx. $400 Warranty: 2 years.
Now that you're familiar with the cards involved, let's move on and see how they performed using a Ultra-Wide SCSI drive with the FWB and Conley disk drivers, according to the ATTO benchmark.
Index of SCSI Controller Comparison Report Intro | Cards Tested  | ATTO Benchmark | FWB Benchtest  | Time Drive | MacBench = Results Summary =  |  Go to Raid Test Pages - or - Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM
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