The average CPU utilization
of this drive under NT is 4.34%
The average CPU utilization of
this drive under 98 is 8.81%
(Computed under Threadmark
2.0)
CPU utilization is a bit higher on this drive than on the Quantum
Fireball CX 13.0GB but still within reasonable limits. As you can see, the
Business Disk Winmark score are significantly lower than the High-end scores due
to the fact that the business applications tested do not rely on intensive disk
reads with large files.
The ATA/66 interface has faced severe criticism
being accused of delivering mediocre improvements (if any) over the previous ATA/33
interface. But before words start to fly, let us look at the numbers. Take
this Quantum drive for example. The maximum burst transfer rate from the disk to the buffer
is 194 Megabits/sec or 24.25MB/sec.
This rate is nearing the
limits of the capability of the ATA/33 interface. With internal transfer speeds
doubling every three years, the 24.25MB/sec would translate into 48.5MB/sec
making the ATA/33 the apparent bottleneck in hard disk performance. ATA/66 was
created to give current technology the time and space it needs to grow. So
although we may not immediately see the benefits of ATA/66, you certainly will
see it in the near future once internal data transfer rates of hard disks start
to grow. So be wise and neglect those negative comments towards the ATA/66 movement
and remember, it is not the interface which is not showing the results, but
rather the current state of hard disks.
The overall performance of the Quantum Fireball CR 8.4GB is
on par if not better than other hard disks of Quantum's competitors operating at
the 5400 rpm level. Though this model was released in early 1999, it still
qualifies as solid performer right now in early 2000 with a good number of 7200
rpm out on the market such as Quantum's own Fireball KA and KX
models.
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