Intel's Matrix Raid 1 and 0 - questions :S

Noto

Noto

Noto

Associate
Joined
1 Dec 2002
Posts
1,884
Hi all, I have recently read a review of the difference between cheap raid 0 drives and some raptors. This is very attractive as it is potentially cheaper than a raptor and more storage. But there is a risk of 1 HD failing screwing up all the data. However Inside this review there was some information on Intel's Matrix Raid 1 and 0.

see: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=88

Intel's Southbridge components ICH7-R and ICH8-R are capable of supporting the Intel Matrix RAID feature
Click to expand...

I have double checked the Intel BadAxe 2 diagram located:
http://www.intel.com/products/i/chipsets/975x/975x_diagram.gif
Click to expand...

It shows it has ICH7-R and the matrix thingie. Does this mean all i need to do is get this mobo and 2 identical model hard drives. Do i need some kind of raid controller card which may help the following:

Be aware that any RAID setup requires dedicated RAID drivers (e.g. Intel Matrix Storage Manager), which can be a problem if you have to boot a recovery system. Any recovery OS or recovery CD needs the right drivers to access or restore a broken RAID array. Before you rely on a RAID array, you should definitely practice handling the worst case.
Click to expand...

Sorry if i sound like a real noob, i tried to research as much myself as possible.
If anyone has experience with this matrix raid 1+0 or has any info that would be a great help. Looking to get 'most bang for buck' yet still be fairly secure.
 
There's no need for a dedicated RAID card, the onboard facility provided by the ICH7R is fine. On the driver issue you will need to provide the Windows install with drivers for the RAID controller so that it can see the array, the same goes for using the recovery console although you can (and should) use nLite to integrate both XP SP2 and the RAID drivers onto a new copy of the install CD before you start. If you do that the recovery console will also work without issue.

Are you planning on using proper RAID 1+0 with 4 disks or that strange thing that the Matrix RAID supports where you can stripe half the disk and mirror the other half?
 
This is where i was a lil unsure. Since the Western Digital Raptor X 150GB WD1500AHFD is £160. Then the Matrix raid would need to be around £160. Therefore I was considering 4x Samsung SpinPoint P HD160HJ 160GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM at 4x £41.11 = £164.44

Now my understanding is that if i use a 4 HD raid matrix. HD 1+2 will be in Raid0 for performance. and 3+4 are in Raid 1 which is a complete real time mirror of 1+2? (is this correct?)

I think this is prob the best option as the stripe half disk matrix thingie is going to reduce the performance. Since 2 drives acting as 4, but only having 2 print heads will be the hugely limiting factor.
 
I can never rember which way round RAID0+1 and RAID10 are and which one is supported by the Matrix RAID. One is mirrored stripes and the other is striped mirrors, there's not much of a difference between them until you lose a drive, then one is still slightly more fault tolerant than the other.

Using your example you have HDD1 & 2 in RAID0 and HDD 3 & 4 also in RAID0 but the two RAID0 arrays are mirrored as a RAID1 array so the content of 1&2 is also on 3&4.
 
ah i see, so both are raid 0 but ones a mirror of the main raid.
- Bingo :)

Would you say this is my best bet to set up a performance system with a lil more security?
 
I'm currently looking into this Intel Matrix Raid technology.

I've just ordered up a GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 and two Seagate Barracuda ST3320620AS. I plan to set them up using Intel Matrix RAID

Here is a overview of what the Matrix is...(sic)

matrix-storage.jpg


And my plan would be following this info

"A typical application would be two RAID arrays on two hard drives. The first third of both hard drives can be used to install a quick RAID 0 for your operating system, while the rest can hold a redundant RAID 1 for vital data. One faulty drive will kill your operating system and render your system useless, but the really important data still is available on the second drive thanks to the safe RAID 1. Smart users create a system image after completing their Windows installation, which can be stored on the secure RAID 1. This will help to restore the operating system in case of a hard drive failure."

As anyone attempted this? Just to add to the complication I've like to dual boot vista/xp.

Also if I am going to ghost an image of my OS once installed, when it comes to revcovery can I load the raid drivers into ghost?
 
Last edited:
i havent really tried it yet, unfortunately my financial manager Mr Wallet said no :( but i think as a gamer I want performance and I will probably lean towards the 4HD solution mentioned above. Slightly more expensive, more power hungry and a lil nosier but i think I could manage it.


For the price of a 160gb raptor, id get 320gb raid 0 with a 320gb back up raid is ok I think and i would probably still have a spare sata/IDE HD just for unimportant data. But bumping up spend a lil on HD im sure i could end up with 400+ set up which would be sufficient for a long time
 
Glass said:
I've just ordered up a GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 and two Seagate Barracuda ST3320620AS. I plan to set them up using Intel Matrix RAID
Click to expand...
Did you go for the plain DS3 or the DS3P? The plain DS3 doesn't have the RAID version of the Intel southbridge so doesn't support Matrix RAID. Instead it has 2 RAID ports from a JMicron controller which work but aren't as good as the Intel solution.
 
rpstewart said:
Did you go for the plain DS3 or the DS3P? The plain DS3 doesn't have the RAID version of the Intel southbridge so doesn't support Matrix RAID. Instead it has 2 RAID ports from a JMicron controller which work but aren't as good as the Intel solution.
Click to expand...

DS3P, you had me worried for a moment!

Found some helpful info on setting it up, all done in the raid controller bios,

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=matrixraid&page=3

ETA to new build will be May 15th will report back with a update.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom