Raid 0 new OS install or single drive

[aragon127]

I'm updating my HTPC, an Asus p5Q-pro that runs Vista, will be running WIN7.

I currently have 4x 1TB Samsung Spinpoint drives in there. I occasionally run out of space (usually temporarily on Sundays), so I figured I'd install a new drive for the OS.

I'm considering 2 options: A Hitachi 2TB drive or running 2x750gb WD black drives.

If I run the WD's, I'd probably need to put them in the DriveXpert ports, but I'm not sure if you can install an OS that way (they appear to default to Raid1 and need to be changed in the OS). I could install the drives, set them up in Vista, then install WIN7, though. This seems the faster option, but more failure prone.

The 2TB solution has more space and is easier to set up. Speed is a concern, however. The drive seems to benchmark well on the first 1.4tb, though.

Not really sure what the best option is. Any thoughts?

 

[kirbyrj]

If speed is a concern, go with the RAID 0. You have to setup the drives in the Asus bios for performance on the Drive Xpert. I used it for a RAID 1, and it wasn't too bad. You might need a flash drive with the drivers for it when installing Win 7 though.

 

[cyclone3d]

If you are lucky, you won't need to have an extra driver for RAID when installing Win7. I didn't need it on my ASRock board.

 

[Alien432]

I was lucky.

 

[kirbyrj]

If you are lucky, you won't need to have an extra driver for RAID when installing Win7. I didn't need it on my ASRock board.

I was thinking you might because the Drive Xpert is a 3rd party controller.