help with new build

chud

chud

chud

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Joined
29 Aug 2006
Posts
5
I'm about to order and build my first system. Currently have an old 40GB system which is used for photo storage / editing and some office / browsing. I've now run out of space - and decided to start afresh rather than upgrade an old system.

I'm planning to get 2 320GB disks to use in a Raid 1 configuration (for data security with all those photos). Questions are:

1. Should I just install windows on that config or would I be better off also getting an 80GB drive (not Raided) for OS and apps and just keeping the Raided disks for data?

2. Do I still need a floppy drive and SATA drivers for windows install if I have SP2 - or does that have the drivers included?

3. If I don't go for the 80GB option (ie just 320GB drives) am I limited to 137GB partition on installation? (think I read somewhere that XP doesn't support SATA partitions over this during installation)

4. Any other thoughts?

Thanks
 
Welcome to the forums.

1. Windows in that configuration would offer a measure of data security so it wouldn't be a bad idea but it would probably be a shade quicker if you have a separate drive for Windows and maybe keep the swap file on the photo drives.

2. SP2 makes no difference, it is the Raid controller itself on the motherboard so if you have Nforce4 or above or an Intel based controller you might not need SATA drivers. However Raid systems usually still need drivers.

3. If you have SP2 patched Windows disks (either because you slipstreamed your own copy or you bought them that way) then you should be fine and it will recognise larger than 137gb instantly.

4. The only other thought that occurs is to say if you weren't already get the Seagate 7200.10s as they appear to be fast and reliable.
 
Thanks for the response (and the welcome).

One further thing - I was planning to get the 7200.10 320GB disks but the 80GB one is 7200.9. Would I notice any real difference in performance going for a 7200.10 disk instead for XP (given that the smallest 7200.10 is 200GB, costs 50% more and I'm highly unlikely to run out of space on 80GB)?

Thanks
 
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