Need help setting up my configuration

S

SFaznSpEEdSTeR

Gawd
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
537
The hard drives I will be using are 2xWD 640GB and maybe a Seagate 500GB 7200.11...

Here is what I am kinda undecided...Whether to buy another WD 640GB and set up RAID 5 or buy that Seagate 500GB and have the 2xWD 640GB in RAID 0 and the Seagate as my OS drive?

The 500GB Seagate woud be around $82 compared to the WD 640GB for around $107
 
Give us some more info about your needs.

How much storage space do you need? What is your backup solution? Is performance the most important factor or data reliability? What OS? Why do you want a Raid 0 data array, and a single drive for the OS?

Just some background info for ya.

A Raid 0 array dramatically increases your chance of data loss. If any drive in the array dies, the entire array goes byebye. Data on a Raid 0 must be backed up or easily replaced.

Raid 0 provides a modest performance increase. A lot of us feel it is not worth the effort. But if maximum performance is your goal, then use the Raid 0 as your OS drive and boot from it. Just set up a separate partition on the array, like 50-100 gig for the OS, and put the data on a separate partition. Makes it easier to backup, and easier to reload the OS if necessary.

Don
 
I will be using dual boot - XP Pro/Vista Home Premium/Ultimate, both 64 Bit...

I want an array that has modest performance as well as reliability, hence asking about RAID5, but I am not sure...

Would anyone recommend a fairly cheap RAID controller than can do RAID 5 with 3or 4 SATA II Hard Drives? Software RAID is fine
 
I want an array that has modest performance as well as reliability, hence asking about RAID5, but I am not sure...
Click to expand...

You are on the right track here then. I would create one Raid 5 array, and install the 2 os's on 2 partitions, and use the rest of the array for shared data. That is how I setup the drive on my new system. 100 gig (a little overkill, but I should never outgrow them) for the 2 OS partitions, and about 250 gig for local data.

If you have a MOBO with an Intel Matrix controller, you can have different types of Raid arrays on the same 2 drives. For instance, you can create a Raid0 array for your OS, and a Raid 1 array for your data all on the same kind of drives.It's actually pretty cool tech.

Here is a good article comparing the different types of Raid controllers. You will be surprised at the results. LINK

Don
 
DonDon said:
You are on the right track here then. I would create one Raid 5 array, and install the 2 os's on 2 partitions, and use the rest of the array for shared data. That is how I setup the drive on my new system. 100 gig (a little overkill, but I should never outgrow them) for the 2 OS partitions, and about 250 gig for local data.

If you have a MOBO with an Intel Matrix controller, you can have different types of Raid arrays on the same 2 drives. For instance, you can create a Raid0 array for your OS, and a Raid 1 array for your data all on the same kind of drives.It's actually pretty cool tech.

Here is a good article comparing the different types of Raid controllers. You will be surprised at the results. LINK

Don
Click to expand...


I am using , or will be using, and Nvidia RAID controller on the eVGA 750i FTW, but I am limited to 4 SATA ports and I don't know how to use them....3 HD's and a DVD Burner or 2xHD's and 2xBurners

Hence I am asking for suggestions for a very very cheap RAID controller that can do RAID 5 effectively
 
Personally I like using a single drive or RAID-0 for my OS/programs and then a RAID5 for any bulk storage I have. As for using the onboard controller it's ok but if you ever have to switch systems or change to a new computer maintaining that array can be a royal PITA. Separate cards are beneficial for RAID even if they're only software.
 
You can always get an add in Sata board for your DVD drives and use the on board ports for your Raid, unless you want more than 4 drives in your array.

Don
 
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