Need some help getting started.

Z

Zuriick

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 25, 2008
Messages
387
Alright, I want to make the jump to RAID. I am uncertain of where to start though. I have researched and I would like to go raid5. I would like to set 3 WD 250gb in the array, does this mean I need a controller card? Or what? Also would this require a fresh install?

Any help and suggestions would be much appreciated. Sorry if what I an asking, but I have been looking around and I can't seem to find any easy answers.
 
That depends. You can run software RAID-5 on Linux using mdadm, which works the same as a controller card, only slower and taking more CPU.

What are you doing with the array? Will this be in a seperate server box or in your workstation?
 
this will be in my workstation. I just want to insure my programs, art, and gaming shenanigans are all there and in line. I only have one 250gb hdd now. Is there a way to use the 250gb that I have now, and then add the two other drives without needing to do a clean vista install?

as simple as the concept is, the process of doing it is what is confusing me since i hear all this about raid cards and some motherboard support it. that kind of thing.
 
Ok well first off im going to start by asking why?

Do you need more space, more speed...whats the point?

If its either of those then there is much better solutions.

Yes you will need to do a reinstall, ok you may not have to but I EXTREMELY recommend it.
You will need a raid card unless your mobo has onboard RAID5.
BTW what mobo do you have?

Also what is your budget?
 
i would like both the space and speed, the other suggestions would be wonderful as well.

this is my mainboard: gigabyte GA-M750SLI-DS4

budget doesn't matter, but that's not to say i want to spend the most on the highest raid card (if i need one), i just want something that gets the job done.
 
Look man Im gonna be real with ya

First off your board supports RAID5, but NVRaid blows ass.
If you have to do RAID 5 get a RAID Card....they are expensive....although a Dell Perc 5 might work and you can get those for a $100 on ebay.

Honestly though just get faster drives...like get a couple of WD6400AAKS...I saw them on sale for $65
Those are faster then what you have and you get the space.
With 250gb and a NVRaid 5 you wont see much improvement in speed, and probably no improvement in write speed.
If you just want speed and space get 2xWD 640GB and put them in RAID 0
If you want more space and speed, and redundancy grab 4x 640gb and put them in RAID 0+1 your board supports that, it will be fast and have redundancy
 
alright, thanks mate for being honest

how much of the 4x640gb space will i get with raid 0+1?
and do you know of any places where i can get an overview of how to set up RAID 0 or 0+1?
all the ones i have found all seem to be outdated.
 
4x640gb

R0 ~2560gb
R0+1 1280gb

I suggest you read this to get an understanding of what is going on.

If you want to know how to set it up...consult your mobo's manual.
 
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