2 x SSDs in RAID 0

Rabtech · 29 Nov 2010 at 10:28

Just wondering if anyone has SSDs in this configuration, if so can you post what make/model and some benchies.

My current motherboard is a MSI CD53, it doesn't have a 4x PCI-E slot so I can't get a Revodrive.

I was looking at 2 x 60GB Vertex 2E's or 2 x 60GB C300's, please bear in mind I'll be using an onboard Intel Sata 3Gbs controller rather than a 6Gbs, any thoughts?

Zarf · 29 Nov 2010 at 11:41

I run a couple of Intels, they are great. Going RAID0 is very similar in price to a single drive, but even without TRIM they are close to twice as fast, and the current generations all have their own garbage collection mechanisms to recover performance whilst idle so it's not a big issue.

Check out the AS-SSD benchmarks thread.

wolvers · 29 Nov 2010 at 12:27

2 x X25-M 80gb in RAID0. No TRIM though;

Rabtech · 29 Nov 2010 at 12:37

Excellent guys, thanks for posting. Anyone else with different drives?

Greebo · 29 Nov 2010 at 12:45

Here's my 2 x 60gb vertex2

wolvers · 29 Nov 2010 at 13:00

Greebo m8, got some Qs for you. What stripe size did you go for, do you have write cache on and do those vertex2 drives have the garbage collection thing?

Rabtech · 29 Nov 2010 at 15:13

Thanks Greebo, thats probably the setup I'll go for

Greebo · 29 Nov 2010 at 15:46

wolvers69 said:
Greebo m8, got some Qs for you. What stripe size did you go for, do you have write cache on and do those vertex2 drives have the garbage collection thing?

64K stripe. I'm still not sure about this. Microsoft give a different answer to OCZ for the rercommended stripe size and I can't be bothered redoing it 5 times to find the best.

I doubt it will make much difference in real life.

I honestly can;t remember whether write cache is on or off. I have done no tweaking so its how windows 7 sets it up by default.

Yes they have garbage collection when running in raid.

wolvers · 29 Nov 2010 at 19:05

Are you running them on an Intel controller? Intel recommend 16kb for 2 SSD in RAID0 so I went with that. It's to do with drive utilisation as with higher stripe sizes one drive does more work than the other, more often.

The reason I ask about the write cache is because I saw a much improved 4k write speed with it enabled. It was similar to yours before hand. It's a simple thing to try out so worth a go.

Have you seen much difference in performance as time has passed? I'm wondering how good the garbage collection is compared to TRIM.

Greebo · 29 Nov 2010 at 20:55

I know, Intel recommends 16kb, OCZ say 128Kb so i went for the middle one lol

I will try write cache and last time I checked the drives, they were still performing as before and yes on Intel with latest RST drivers.