Need some advice on a Hard Drive set up.

[nib95]

Basically, I'm going to be installing a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate RC soon (I realise the real thing comes out soon, but with the RC I'm good up to June 2010 right?). And wanted a new drive set up after one of my others failed and left me with a huge data recovery bill. I already have two WD Black's (1TB) for Raid 1 set up, my lazy way of always having a back up there. But now I need something for my main Windows drive.

Essentially, I'm trying to decide between....


Set up 1.

1 single Samsung F3 1TB drive (for Windows, programmes and minor files)

2 x WD Black RAID 1 (main drive for all data, mirrored for safety)


Set up 2.

2x Samsung F3 1TB RAID0 (for Windows, programmes and minor files)

2 x WD Black RAID 1 (main drive for all data, mirrored for safety)


Set up 3.

1x Affordable SSD drive (for Windows, programmes and minor files)

2 x WD Black RAID 1 (main drive for all data, mirrored for safety)


First thing is, I'm trying not to break the bank here. How much of a performance improvement is RAID0 really going to give me over a single drive? And how much of a performance difference is there between a single drive vs RAID0 vs SSD? A Samsung F3 set up in RAID0 is essentially the same cost as a smaller SSD drive, so how would they compare? And aside from the obvious storage amount differences, are there any other advantages to getting RAID0 over SSD? I've hear concerns about SSD's losing performance over time?

My motherboard is an Asus P6T Deluxe if that makes a difference.


Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I essentially want to buy today.

 

[nib95]

Personally I wouldn't rely solely on a raid 1 for the data storage without further backup(s). Unless you have further external storage in mind, I would use one of your WD blacks as an external drive to do regular backups to... raid 1 only protects against individual disk failure, and doesn't help against finger trouble, file system corruption, power supply failure that takes out all disks, etc.

My PSU is one of the newest Corsair's, so hopefully that will stay in tact. never had a PSU fail on me yet. And along with the RAID1 back up set up, I also have an external Seagate Extreme 1TB (eSATA) drive. So the RAID1 won't be my only back up. The last failed drive stung me so hard I'm not taking risks again.

Now, on to the main Windows drive.

Looking at the prices of SSD, I figure 64GB is too little (in regards to storage) and 128GB is too expensive (cost wise at around £200). So I guess it boils down to single drive vs RAID0 for the Windows drive. What do you guys think? And which would offer me more speed, the 500GB F3 or the 1TB version?

 

[nib95]

Anyone?

 

[nib95]

A massive difference - I'd definitely recommend it. If you're thinking of buying drives for a RAID0 and having a RAID1 storage array, then I'd seriously consider holding back until you can afford to get an SSD instead of the RAID0.

You do realise RAID1 isn't a backup though? I know you have an external drive, but RAID1 protects you against drive failure, it doesn't protect your data if for example you get malware, or accidentally delete something - as to all extents and purposes what is written to one drive is immediately mirrored on the other drive in the array.

I do indeed realise that. But to tell the truth, mechanical failure is the only thing I'm concerned about. I don't think I've had a virus in years. I like to keep my system secure and healthy.

Ok, so can anyone recommend me two hard drives for my system (Windows) RAID0 set up? Just the fastest regular drives possible, preferably under £100. I won't be using these drives for much if any storage beyond just install files, so speed is more important than size here. Though I'd prefer if they were at least 250GB just to be safe.

Which two drives for RAID0 would you guys recommend?

 

[nib95]

Wrong forum lol.

 

[nib95]

Anyone else on which HDD's for RAID I should buy? I can pull the trigger at any time.

 

[nib95]

If you can get a SSD then go for it. The F3's are the top mech drives but SSD's are a different class.

SSD's are just too expensive right now. I'll pick one up in a year or so when prices are more reasonable.

 

[nib95]

RE3's??

Ok, so again, which HDD's would you recommend for RAID0? Samsung F1's? 1TB? 500GB? 320GB? How about the WD Blacks or RE3's? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[nib95]

Ok last bump...which should I go for.


1.) 1x1TB Samsung F3
2.) 2x320GB Samsung F1 (RAID0)
3.) 2x500/1TB Samsung F3 (RAID0)
4.) 1x150GB WD Velociraptor
5.) Another HDD(s)

I can't really afford a decent sized SSD yet, so I left that out.


What do you guys think?

 

[nib95]

Interesting. Ok, well, if the wallet allows it I'll buy tomorrow along with a 5870 (only if the price is right mind, <£300).