Re: Better Hardware, worst Results

Alvaro Nunes Melo <al_nunes@atua.com.br> writes:
> I have a very tricky situation here. A client bought a Dell dual-machine
> to be used as Database Server, and we have a cheaper machine used in
> development. With identical databases, configuration parameters and
> running the same query, our machine is almost 3x faster.

> ==> Dell PowerEdge:
> HD: SCSI

> ==> Other machine:
> HD: IDE

I'll bet a nickel that the IDE drive is lying about write completion,
thereby gaining a significant performance boost at the cost of probable
data corruption during a power failure.  SCSI drives generally tell the
truth about this, but consumer-grade IDE gear is usually configured to
lie.

            regards, tom lane