PROMISE EX4650 + 4x WD RE2-GP 1TB

Conclusion

Looking at the performance numbers, we see that the four Western Digital RE2-GP drives mated with the PROMISE EX4650 + 4x WD RE2-GP 1TB results in somewhat average numbers, nothing too stellar.  However there are bright spots indeed, such as the impressive read speeds which scaled well as the stripe size increased.  We've seen other cards choke at large chunks, but the EX4650 seems to thrive with larger pieces of data.  As expected, write results were much lower especially in RAID-6.  Nevertheless, the processor handled and scaled well. 

Having said that, we must also consider other non-performance factors of this subsystem, specifically the cost in terms of power, heat and noise, and financial too.  In this day and age of green-this and eco-that, the RE2-GP provides earth-conscious consumers with an alternative HDD.  Four of them in the system doing full-on RAID-5 seeking drew only 180W in our test system.  Compare that with 4x Fujitsu MBA3300RC in the same system drawing 180W idle!  Best yet, the RE2-GPs produced less noise, far less heat, and is the least expensive 1TB RAID-qualified drive available today.  How can you beat that combo plate?!

Chances are, we are not the type of geeks that require all-out performance at any cost.  We still have out limits, so may as well draw the line at superb throughput with extreme power efficiency, low-noise, and maximized value.  The EX4650 does not disappoint, proving that a sub-$300 RAID card can deliver in excess of 500MB/s read speeds in RAID-5/6 using four RE2-GP drives.  Well done.