T43 vs T42 gigabit performance

[trikster2]

Googled and could find zip on this

Does the T43 have better gigabit performance than the T42?

In the one corner we have the T42 with the Intel 82540EP PCI chipset.

And in the other corner we have the T43 with the Broadcom BCM5751M PCIe chipset.

In theory the PCIe gig controller in the T43 should clean the T42's clock but then there is the Broadcom vs Intel issue.

I know the (relatively) slow laptop hard drives will hamper performance somewhat for simple transfers, but most of what I have hosted on my gigabit connected servers never see the local hard drive.

Has anyone here in the greatest repository of thinkpad info on the web seen a GigEthernet comparson between the two platforms?

If not, does anyone who has used both the T43 and T42 in a gig environment have any anectdotal exeriences that may enlighten us?

Thanks!

[CChoi83]

I voted for the third one. I really hope they make a fiber (fibre) interface for the T50 (when and if it comes out). My Cisco switch's SFP ports are lonely...

[ZPrime]

Doesn't the Intel Gigabit on the T42 hang off a CSA bus like they use on the P4 systems?

[trikster2]

Doesn't the Intel Gigabit on the T42 hang off a CSA bus like they use on the P4 systems?

I can find no reference on INTEL's site to the 855PM chipset in the T42 using CSA. I know the 865 and 875 can do CSA but I thought the laptop 855 chipset was just PCI?

It would be great if I was wrong, I'd consider picking up a DXU tomorow.

[MagicBoy]

The 82540EP is a PCI chip and the 855 doesn't support CSA anyway. PCIe solves the problem the CSA was designed to workaround.

I expect the Broadcom chip will be an improvement (why would IBM change it otherwise?) - with lower CPU usage and larger available bandwidth on the bus. With most laptops the hard drive is the restriction as it is with most desktops unless they've got expensive raid arrays. A fast T43 with a 7K60 would show the most benefit.

[trikster2]

Thanks Magicboy.

So I'm ontrack that for my setup the T43 or R52 may be an improvement over the T42

Everything is my house is gig, and all my files are on a RAID on the central file server. Everything is just simpler keeping/accessing everything in one place. Well worth the $279 for the Poweredge 600SC, and $200 I spent on hard drives for the RAID.

So for the most part the laptop hard drive should not be touched. I'm editing pictures, running programs, ripping/viewing DVDs directly to/from the file server.

Add the Expresscard (would be cool if they made an FW800 or Ultra320 SCSI expresscard) to the PCIe Ethernet and the T43 is starting to look like a high bandwidth I/O monster.

I have to admit I was initially disappointed with the X300/X600 graphics in the T43, and tempted by the plumiting prices of the T42 ($1424 for a DXU!) but considering the ether/expresscard advantages I might hold out for that T43p.....

[gazingwa]

where did you find 1424 for a dxu?

[The Weissman]

where did you find 1424 for a dxu?

IBM EPP Site

[gazingwa]

sniffle.... My IBM Uncle died.... no more EPP