What Is This Tool?
This tool converts data transfer rates from IDE (PIO mode 1), a CPU-controlled transfer mode used in legacy PATA devices, into megabytes per second (SI definition), a standard unit representing one million bytes transferred each second.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in IDE (PIO mode 1) units you want to convert.
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Select the target unit as megabyte/second (SI def.).
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View the resulting data transfer rate in MB/s based on the conversion rate.
Key Features
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Converts IDE (PIO mode 1) data transfer rates to megabyte/second (SI def.) units.
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Supports benchmarking and performance analysis of legacy PATA devices.
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Provides easy-to-understand conversions for use in firmware development and diagnostics.
Examples
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3 IDE (PIO mode 1) equals 15.6 MB/s since 3 × 5.2 = 15.6.
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0.5 IDE (PIO mode 1) equals 2.6 MB/s since 0.5 × 5.2 = 2.6.
Common Use Cases
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Configuring or troubleshooting legacy PATA hard drives and optical drives in older computers or industrial systems.
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Developing or debugging firmware and drivers requiring CPU-driven data transfers.
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Benchmarking data-transfer performance on vintage or embedded hardware using IDE PIO modes.
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Comparing legacy device speeds in modern, standardized data transfer units for analysis and reporting.
Tips & Best Practices
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Understand that IDE (PIO mode 1) involves higher CPU overhead compared to modern transfer modes.
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Use this conversion to translate CPU-controlled transfer rates into familiar MB/s units for clarity.
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Be cautious when comparing megabyte/second values to binary-based units like mebibyte/second due to differing definitions.
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Consider hardware conditions and system load as actual speeds may deviate from theoretical conversions.
Limitations
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IDE (PIO mode 1) modes have inherently lower throughput and higher CPU usage than modern DMA or SATA transfers.
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Conversion assumes ideal transfer rates; real-world performance can differ due to hardware and environmental factors.
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Megabyte/second (SI def.) uses decimal byte definitions, which differ from binary-based units such as MiB/s.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does IDE (PIO mode 1) refer to?
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IDE (PIO mode 1) is a CPU-controlled transfer mode for legacy PATA storage devices where the host CPU manages each data transfer cycle, leading to moderate throughput with higher CPU overhead.
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How is a megabyte per second (SI definition) defined?
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A megabyte per second (SI def.) is a data transfer rate equal to one million (1,000,000) bytes per second, based on decimal units.
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Why convert IDE (PIO mode 1) speeds to megabytes per second?
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Converting to MB/s helps compare legacy PATA device speeds with contemporary standards, facilitating performance analysis and reporting.
Key Terminology
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IDE (PIO mode 1)
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A programmed input/output transfer mode where the CPU controls data transfers for older PATA devices, resulting in moderate throughput with increased CPU overhead.
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Megabyte/second (SI def.)
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A data transfer rate equal to one million bytes per second, using decimal definitions to quantify throughput.
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PATA
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Parallel ATA, an interface standard for connecting storage devices like hard drives and optical drives, often associated with legacy hardware.