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Strengths: Onboard processing, error correction, PCI 32 or 64 compatible.
Weaknesses: Smallest sector size is 64k!! Requires fresh install of Windows and all applications (per 3Ware Tech Support).
Summary: The Escalade 7210 works on both PCI 32bit and 64 bit slots, though 3Ware's advertisements don't make this clear. (BTW, currently PCI 64bit is only available on multi-processor boards). The Escalade has its own processor, thereby reducing CPU loads to 1% or less (most Raid controllers can place a 10 to 30% demand on the CPU during large file transfers). Most users won't appreciate the onboard processor however, because they don't tend to use the CPU at more than 5% capacity anyway - especially when just dragging files across their drives. My system is for personal use, it's not a server. I found my Escalade a little slower in performance than the common software Raid controllers I've previously used (like HighPoint's and Promise that come bundled with 'Raid' motherboards). The slower performance is due to the Escalade's minimum sector size of 64k. So, when I Ghost to a non-Raid drive that's formatted to, say, 16k, it's just not as fast as the other Raid controllers I'd used. The HighPoint controller, for example, can be set as small as 16k. So, from my observations, the Escalade is about 20% slower on very large file transfers. In a networked environment, though, the 64k sector sizing makes sense and would boost performance over 16k sector sizing. IMHO, this controller is the ultimate value for a server. It is not, however, worth the extra money when used in a home PC. The software raid controllers are a little faster and much cheaper.
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