What Is This Tool?
This converter translates data transfer speeds from IDE (PIO mode 2), an older CPU-driven interface timing standard, into gigabytes per second (GB/s), a common modern data transfer rate unit. It's designed to help compare legacy hardware transfer rates with current standards.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the data transfer value in IDE (PIO mode 2) units.
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Select IDE (PIO mode 2) as your source unit and gigabyte/second (GB/s) as your target unit.
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Click convert to see the equivalent rate in gigabytes per second.
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Interpret the results considering the context of legacy and modern transfer speeds.
Key Features
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Converts IDE (PIO mode 2) transfer rates to gigabytes per second (GB/s).
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Supports understanding and benchmarking legacy IDE interface speeds.
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Provides clear quantitative comparisons between old and new data transfer rates.
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Browser-based and easy to use for vintage computing and storage diagnostics.
Examples
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10 IDE (PIO mode 2) converts to approximately 0.0773 GB/s.
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50 IDE (PIO mode 2) converts to about 0.3865 GB/s.
Common Use Cases
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Configuring and diagnosing legacy BIOS or firmware drive timings.
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Comparing vintage PC data transfer rates with modern storage devices.
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Understanding IDE mode speeds reported by device drivers or utilities.
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Planning and analyzing hardware performance in computer restoration projects.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure clarity on whether gigabytes use SI or binary conventions when comparing results.
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Use this conversion to contextualize older IDE interface speeds relative to modern data rates.
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Recognize that IDE (PIO mode 2) represents slower, CPU-driven transfers not comparable to DMA or newer interfaces.
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Double-check unit selections to avoid confusion between data transfer modes and units.
Limitations
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Conversion applies only to legacy CPU-driven, non-DMA IDE (PIO mode 2) transfers, which have much lower throughput than modern technologies.
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Differences between SI gigabyte and binary gibibyte definitions can affect interpretation of results.
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The tool does not support other IDE modes or non-specified units outside the given scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is IDE (PIO mode 2)?
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IDE (PIO mode 2) is a legacy CPU-driven data transfer timing mode used by older IDE drives to manage data transfers without DMA.
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Why convert IDE (PIO mode 2) speeds to gigabytes per second?
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Converting to GB/s helps compare legacy hardware transfer performance with modern devices using a standardized, widely understood data rate unit.
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Does this conversion consider differences between gigabyte definitions?
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The conversion notes that SI and binary gigabyte definitions differ, so clarifying which standard applies is important when interpreting results.
Key Terminology
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IDE (PIO mode 2)
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A legacy ATA/IDE interface timing standard defining programmed input/output (PIO) mode 2 transfer rates, used for CPU-driven data transfers.
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Gigabyte/second (GB/s)
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A unit measuring data transfer rate equating to one gigabyte of data transmitted every second, with SI and binary definitions varying.
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PIO
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Programmed Input/Output, a data transfer method where the CPU manages data movement directly rather than using direct memory access (DMA).