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Yet another RAID zero question

L

Liver

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
6,337
Currently I have 2 Maxtor 7L25050 (250 gig, SATA150, 8Meg cache) in a RAID zero array. I am running it on a DFI Ultra D (hacked for SATA II use).

I would like to simplify my computer and get a single Raptor 150 gig (you know the specs).

Some of the reasons
1. moving to smaller case, where 2 drives MAY be a problem
2. want to make reliable disc images (having problems making images of the array currently, and this is not a new problem)
3. would use the maxtor as external sata back ups (for images and other data)
4. I have only used 250 gigs of my current setup, and most of it are games that I no longer have. I just haven't uninstalled them yet, I mean I can't play them without the master disc anyways. So basically I have been VERY wasteful with the storage space.
5. No longer want a floppy drive for installing the RAID and no longer want to slipstream either.

Do you think the single raptor has the same or better performance than my current raid? I know 2 raptors in a raid zero would be faster, but I don't think I want to raid any more. Not totally decided though.

If you all tell me my current setup will literally blow away a single raptor then I will be very inclined to keep it as it.

I have read the Tom's Hardware (I believe) article about RAID being over rated, but . . .Old perceptions die hard.

What are your opinions about my situation?
 
Looking at my small test I would say that you are better off with a single raptor than with two 250GB drives. However, it depends what you do. There are applications that care more about STR than seek times. If you use these frequently, I am afraid that you will be downgrading a bit.
 
Nice Nice Nice! Thanks so much. I pretty much use my Windows box to play games now. Since I have discovered the Macbook, my windows machine is only for games.

I was also looking to go a bit more quieter. I understand that the raptor is a louder drive, but I think (really no basis, just a conjecture) it will be quieter than 2 drives. Also I will put it in an approved hard drive silencer (one made for 10k rpm drives).

Looks like I will be getting a Raptor!
 
Over 8MB cache Maxtors (although the Maxtor SKU provided in your post points to 16MB MaxLine IIIs)? The WD1500ADFD drive will certainly deliver better random access performance, whether it be localized desktop usage or purely random server usage.

Also, the RAID-0 array won't have a huge raw transfer rate advantage. As measured by StorageReview, the WD1500ADFD has sustained rates about 35% higher than the 100GB/platter Maxtor drives. Even in RAID-0, the two Maxtor drives won't have a transfer rate advantage of much if at all more than 50%, and will get absolutely embarassed by the Raptor on random access.

This Comparison may be of interest.

Drizzt81 is correct that if you use STR limited applications, such as workstation applications with frequent saves and loads, raw throughput will decrease when moving from a RAID-0 array to a single disk. Gamers do not fall into this category.

The OP's five point bullet list are all very sound reasons to move away from RAID, regardless of level, on the desktop. Using multiple independent drives is more flexible, faster in many situations, and more resistant to data loss if storage application and allocation is well planned.

I don't know what my opinion is worth on this forum. I certainly do not speak in any official capacity. However, I don't want to see a repeat of the thread asking "Is RAID worth it" that ran from 11-06 to 11-10. Those of you that were involved know who you are, and it was an absolute embarrassment.

*EDIT* after OP's second post

The Raptors have a pleasantly low idle noise, despite the 10,000RPM spindle speed. Seeks are 'louder' in terms of raw volume over the vast majority of 7200RPM drives. However, the seeks of a Raptor, clocking in at under 5ms, are more a deep rumble rather than a chirp or chatter that most are used to from 7200RPM drives. You may actually find that the lower pitch of the Raptor's seek noise is easier to deal with, despite the higher noise.
 
+1 more vote for a single WD1500ADFD in this situation.

...and yes, that "other" thread was pretty bad. A lot of folks were at fault, myself included. BUT....this is a NEW DAY and another daily RAID thread... :p

What are the chances we may get at least a 12,500RPM Raptor by this time, next year?
 
DougLite, with that kind of advice, of course your opinion matters.

You know I thought that the drives I have were 16meg, but I really could not remember. I went on what the start up bios was. I guess I messed up on the specs.

Yea, I hear you on the debate. I don't want that either, but I wanted to know for a specific setup. Looks like I have my answer and I also have a plan.

So what is your opinion on this drive silencer?

It is rated for 10k RPM drives and looks like a winner, but if you know of other similar / better products please let me know. I am also reading about them at silentpcreview, but it is always nice to read the [H]ard truth.
 
Liver said:
DougLite, with that kind of advice, of course your opinion matters.

You know I thought that the drives I have were 16meg, but I really could not remember. I went on what the start up bios was. I guess I messed up on the specs.

Yea, I hear you on the debate. I don't want that either, but I wanted to know for a specific setup. Looks like I have my answer and I also have a plan.

So what is your opinion on this drive silencer?

It is rated for 10k RPM drives and looks like a winner, but if you know of other similar / better products please let me know. I am also reading about them at silentpcreview, but it is always nice to read the [H]ard truth.
Click to expand...


Newegg has that exact same item for $27. Looks like a winner, i was thinking of getting one for the 150 GB raptor i have showing up on Monday.
 
What kind of case do you have?

Dono if this will help, but the silicon grommets in my P180B and Solo cases make my Raptors very queit compared to a "normal" metal-metal mount. Honestly, all I hear is a very, very faint low rumble - and that's 2 Raptors seeking and thrashiing away in unison. I've got the same Raptors in my DELL @ work and they're quite audible, but still, it's a lower rumble as opposed to an in-your-face SCSI clatter.

But, that only helps if you have one of these cases. Well worth the cost of a newer Antec case, IMO.
 
There is no 7L25050. It's either 7L250S0 or 7L250F0 in sata, or 7L250R0 in ide. All of them have 16 meg cache, but the 16 megs of cache don't help *all* that much. Better algorithms for deciding what to keep in the buffer do.

Single raptor is the way to go here.

 
3 spindles > 2 spindles > 1 spindle. I'd consider short-stroking one of the Maxtors, putting the OS on that partition (say around 15 GB), leaving the rest for very rarely-used stuff (perhaps image partitions); the Raptor as the main programs + data drive; the second Maxtor as an external backup.
 
HEY DOUGLITE, ARE YOU SENDING MY PS2 TO ME I BOUGHT FROM YOU IN THESE FORUMS??? CHECK YOUR PM INBOX PLZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Madwand said:
3 spindles > 2 spindles > 1 spindle. I'd consider short-stroking one of the Maxtors, putting the OS on that partition (say around 15 GB), leaving the rest for very rarely-used stuff (perhaps image partitions); the Raptor as the main programs + data drive; the second Maxtor as an external backup.
Click to expand...

I thought about that, having two drives. But don't want to deal with two internal drives. Sounds cheesy, but looking for something simple. I guess I go through phases in my setup.

From every opinion it seems like a single raptor is the ticket. I bet you are correct in that having an OS drive and a program drive will be faster, but do you think it will be significant (i.e. will I be able to tell)?

As far as the drives, I was thinking about one in an enclosure for backups and the other in a NAS. Always wanted to try that.

Case wise I am going with the Antec Sonata II. There are pre cut acoustic foam panels out there that I am dying to demo. I already have A Zalman on my CPU and the 7900GTO comes with the super quiet stock GTX cooler. Passive cooler on the north bridge. Should be quiet.

Hey its an experiment! And I think I am due some new toys.
 
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