Weird perfomance boost?!

I recently changed my configuration and have found windows to be considerably faster, the time it takes BIOS to enumerate my devices has also decreased! Before I had 2 hard drives connected on IDE 1, 2 Optical drives on IDE 2. Now I have 1 HDD on IDE 1, the other HDD is connected via SATA (using a PATA-SATA converter), and my now lonely optical drive (upgraded to a dual-layer burner) is also connected via SATA with use of an adapter (I was looking to help air flow).

Now things in windows seem to happen much quicker, and my boot times are about 15 seconds lower! Is this because each device has its own channel? Or did I create a rip in the fabric of time-space by connecting an optical drive up to my mobo with a standard which it will never be able to take advantage of the bandwidth. (since it doesn't even come close to topping out at 100mb/s)

The double drive on IDE chain was a mistake from the start. This is why Serial ATA is point to point. The Serial ATA controller also has its own pipe to the Northbridge and both IDE channel usually share its channel. This is why you are seeing an improvement... I think.

Don't doubt yourself Aron, I have every confidence that you are correct. BTW, how pimpin' is it to have a remote controlled on/off and reset on your pc?

that sounds like a fun project... for it to work reliably you'll have to hack the BIOS...

I meant remote as in RF remote: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=206&num=1

I have one of these in my system right now. Disconnected the case's on/off and reset button entirely so my daughter couldn't push em and turn off the computer in the middle of defragging or something. Now she enjoys pointing at the analogue temp gauges. ^_^

Not for me. The theory is the same as it is all soft-power.

heh. I was thinking along the lines of IR power button remote

RF beats IR on any day of the week!