Ditching RAID0 and Raptors...crazy?

JoyPadJedi · 7 Apr 2007 at 16:49

My new build is coming at the end of this month and I'm seriously think about just using an existing 7.2k drive I have (WD Caviar 250gb) for my OS and also not using RAID.

I've been pleased with the R0 Raptor setup, but they are taking up a lot of breathing room and making a lot of noise.

Has anyone else gone back to 7.2k and non-RAID0? Was the loss of HD performance real-world (not benchmark) noticable? I don't mind taking a small step back, but a huge one I might have to reconsider.

IAmATeaf · 8 Apr 2007 at 13:45

I used to have a pair of 160gb SATA drives setup as RAID0, was just interested in doing it for the sake of doing it nothing more at the time. I've since dumped RAID0 and just installed a 7200.10 250gb drive as the main OS drive and apart from copying data around don't really notice any real diffs.

RAID0 splits the camp as far as views are concerned, some will not live without it others like me it's no major loss.

semi-pro waster · 8 Apr 2007 at 22:54

I used to use two 7,200rpm Maxtors in Raid0 for about a year then went back to a single Maxtor as my boot drive and didn't really notice any loss in speed other than a minor loss with benchmarking. I've now got a Seagate 7200.10 as my boot drive and it feels as quick as the Raid0 setup did, that is entirely subjective because I've not bothered to benchmark but I doubt you will notice much of a difference.

NathanE · 9 Apr 2007 at 12:56

And you know why don't you?

Seek time. RAID of any type can do nothing for seek time.

Roll on solid state drives!

JoyPadJedi · 9 Apr 2007 at 17:25

Indeed.

Can anyone link me to a thread about these new 7200.9 / 7200.10 drives? What's it all about? Or just explain here...

braz2kuk · 9 Apr 2007 at 17:55

I have my 3 74gb raptors in RAID 0 and performance wise it is great they don't produce that much noise so i am really pleased with them

semi-pro waster · 10 Apr 2007 at 12:53

The 7200.10s were the first mainstream drives using perpendicular technology, it means that more can be fitted onto a platter which improves speed. The drives are quick but depending on the motor used (there are two used that I know of) can be rather noisy apparantly, this isn't something I've ever noticed but then I never bothered to check which model mine is.