Newbie here - 2x Raid5 on mobo controller?

[Blast8180]

I'm new and just started learning about raid. I've always known about the concept, but never wanted/had to use it before so that's as far as my knowledge extends. Any implementation is over my head at the moment.

I need to build and configure a workstation for 2x Raid5 arrays. I'm wondering if there are any motherboard controllers that can simultaneously handle 3x SSD (raid5) and 3x HD (raid5). Intel/AMD doesn't matter at the moment, I'm flexible on the processor.

If no motherboards can handle six hard drives, my guess is I need to get a Raid card? Can someone point me in the right direction on either of these solutions? Thanks!

 

[danman]

Why would you RAID 5 SSD's? Why do you feel you need RAID 5?

 

[PigLover]

The straight answer: MBs using Intel ICHxR southbridge with 6 SATA ports are fairly common and could handle your configuration. Suggesting one requires a bit more info about the processor you intend to use (I7? I5? LGA775?, etc). There are dozens of current and older MBs that can do this.

The other answer, which is really a question: what is your application that requires this? raid5 on an SSD is a fairly odd requirement, and a 3 drive raid5 HD array also seems strange. What is driving you to raid5? Are you just looking for data protection or are you also looking for a performance boost? If its just data protection then the MB solution may be OK, but if you need any material performance gain then you probably want to look to a dedicated raid card.

Just guessing, but the 3 drive SSD is really about OS/App performance? You might want to consider a 3-drive raid0 with a separate, dedicated HD (non-raid) to keep an emergency backup image (imaged daily). For the HD raid you really need to consider what you are trying to achieve - and how much you are willing to spend to get there.

 

[Blast8180]

I was reading about different raid setups and that thought entered my mind. However, I was just given this spec sheet request and I'm just relaying this info.

With SSDs and their failure rate being pretty low, even with the MLC SSDs, I was wondering if Raid 0 wasn't a better idea. He may, however, want redundancy for other reasons.

*oh hey look at that, simultaneous post*

From what I can gather, he wants this workstation to do heavy OS/application stuff. He works with Vmware, visual studio, photoshop, and codes. I'm flexible on the processor, right now it's a tossup between the i5 750 and the x4 955 blk.