Best HD to use as a boot disk? + configuring different drive uses

[b.cummins]

I've been finding it a little hard to find some specific information, so I thought I'd ask around here.

ATM I have a 150gb ADFD Raptor, which I intend to use primarily as a games install drive.

I was considering the boot drive to be this as well, and then getting a 500gb purely for storage.

Some people have recommended I make a large drive partitioned, for increased reliability, and others recommend using two smaller drives in RAID 0.. tho I'm not that big on RAID i've used raptors in raid and noticed little real world difference in performance.

My question is, would it be optimal performance wise or faster
to have a configuration using 3 drives -

A primary boot - O/S
My 150gb raptor just for games
a larger drive for video files, music etc in partitions?

Do you guys know what the best/fastest drive for a boot drive is? I was thinking the smallest raptor might be good (36gb) but I've heard in the case of a boot drive one of the seagates is actually better?

I need a proper hard drive expert

Also, what is NCQ and when is appropriate to use it? My drives and motherboard support it!

 

[b.cummins]

ok - would it perform much better than a 36 gb raptor since thats more in my price range! - also - i did google NCQ but i don't really get what it's for..

 

[b.cummins]

yes i saw that - but the problem is - it doesn't explain how to enable it and also implies its mainly for servers? So why would a retail drive support such a feature? That is what I wanted to know I am sorry I phrased it inelegantly.

 

[b.cummins]

thanks mate. I have a choice between AHCI and emulated pata. performance wise, is there a dramatic difference? thanks for answering