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Raid Array VS single SSD

Z

Zayla74

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
64
Hello all. Looking for some advice.

ATM, the largest bottle neck my system has is the HD's.
Currently My HD setup is:
single 640WD and a single 1000 WD -- partitioned into 2 partitions each.
640 has a 50Gb for OS remainder partitioned for games
1T has a 40G for Documents and Pagefile and remainder for Media

So, to increase (hopefully) performance I was thinking about grabbing 2 drives to setup a RAID 0 array. And use my current 640GB drive as a backup only drive
(for system images with Acronis OR windows backup)

Ive been looking at the Seagate Drives.
Either 2 320s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148469
or 2 500s:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

From what ive seen looking around the 500GB Raid 0 Seagates do very well in 250Gb/s range ... but I can not find any info on the 320's :-/

Secondly, I was considering a small SSd such as The OCX Vertex 30GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393

So, is it worth running a 30GB SSD for the OS only? Or would a RAid Array be better in this price range?
I have always kept all my Games, and other media (music pics,videos downloads etc) separated on other drivers, partitions anyway.

I have never ran a Raid array before, so have many questions, but also am aware I need to reformat and start new. This is no issue, I would rather do so anyway.

So my questions are, Raid array,
the 320's or 500s... much of a difference?

Is partitioning a RAid Array a good idea? Such as a 50-75GB partition for OS and programs, and rest of array for other things? or all one partition?

Is making a small partition for the OS what is called "short stroking" the drive?

And last, Will the 30GB offer more of an advantage? (other than size)

Im also concerned about using acronis 2010 for creating backups on a SSD ... i keep seeing restoring images is a issue with SSDs?

I know this is lot of questions ... but any help would be appriciated.


Setup in sig
 
SSD beats any platter available on this planet hands down. I had all kinds of HDD RAIDs, but once you try a SSD, there is no way back.
 
Here are some of my tests I did to prove to myself all this is worth investing into:
I know many willobject on the programs used, but sorry I had that available when I first started with the idea, and didn't have the nerves to redo setups again.
SSD in Vista was not in AHCI, and some oddball results in W7 might be contributed to x86 vs. x64.
Also all test were done a few times with hard reboots in between.
I'll try and explain the rest as the need arises. :)

App. install times:
installs.jpg


App. loading times:
loading.jpg


I have NO regrets whatsoever about going single SSD. I even believe going raid0 SSD will not bring anything down by much.
I made my OS image with Acronis 2010 when I finished installing, but haven't tried restoring it yet. I will, cause I wiped my drive clean for some more tests, the other day... :)
 
Thanks :)
looks like the SSD is the way to go from those tests -- at least for the intel you benched.

If I go with the OCZ 30GB, I know that will be enough room for my OS and apps. As it is now I only use around 17GB or so with everything.

By keeping all my other data, music pictures, games etc on reg. drives I have now, I'm assuming the Os being on the SSD will still give a decent boost to overall performance? Even though games and other media on slower drives?

But curious, does anyone know anything about this SSD I was looking at?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393

Im convinced SSD is the way to go, just curious if this particular one would be good or not even worth the effort.

Thanks again for all the info
 
30GB can be enough. My C: is only 15GB, but I went ahead and got the 64GB because it offers more room for the controller of SSD to assign writes and not reuse the same spots over and over which leads to the drive's death. The Vertex and Agility series of SSDs are great buys. They both use Indilinx controllers which are great performers for home users. As far as how you're wanting to separate your storage, I did the same thing and I've noticed a hell of a difference. I can't go back to a PC without a SSD.
 
Then I think Ill go with this lil 30G SSd then :)

thank you all for the advice, much appreciated.
 
I just picked up the Vertex 30gb and W7.I finally did my install yesterday and I LOVE IT!!Previously I had a Raptor 150gb for OS and a Raptor 74gb for everything else and my SSD wipes the floor with it..I could never go back to a platter drive..BTW,mu W7 64bit install is 9gb so I have ~20gb free.

My thread..http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1477423
 
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