RAID 0 + Partitions ?

ooEy

ooEy

ooEy

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Hi all,

I have got myself 2 x Samsung F3s for Raid 0.

My question is regarding partitioning the array as I understand the first partion will be slightly faster.

Do I create the partition during the CTRL + I part of the raid setup or during the install of Windows 7.

Cheers

Oh also, do I need to install additional drivers during install ( In the F6 style fashion of XP ) ? Reason I ask is that I have just done a quick install to test and I didnt but all seems to work.
 
I also have 2x F3 in raid 0 and partitioned them using diskpart on the win7 CD (primary, extended with logical). The first partition should have slightly faster access time, because the armature doesn't need to move as far to get there, but it isn't something that is noticable. Just use the first partition as the system drive.

If you're using windows 7 then you shouldn't need additional drivers to install the OS, but check this with the raid controller you're using. I use the Intel controller that is integrated in my mobo, but have since downloaded the more modern Intel RAID drivers from intel (after install). No real improvement, but I think transfers are more stable (less spikes).
 
Last edited:
ooEy said:
Do I create the partition during the CTRL + I part of the raid setup or during the install of Windows 7.
Click to expand...
Doing it in the RAID BIOS (Ctrl I) will create multiple arrays on the disks rather than partitions and I can't remember what the exact restrictions are on what can and can't be created in Matrix RAID.

Far simpler to just do it either during the install or just create a boot partition at install and do the rest in Disk Management later.
 
Thanks guys.

What I've got at the minute is 2 x 500GB in Raid 0 (created during CTRL + I ), giving me a 1000 GB array.

I then shrunk the volume using W7 computer manager so now have 2 x 500gb (ish) drives.


Is this an ok way of doing things? Is it done?

Cheers
 
Nothing wrong with how you've done it but it's better to set the initial C: partition size in the Windows installer and just partition the unallocated space later. Shrinking the volume only works if the space you want to shrink is empty, if you're unlucky and something's written data in the last block of the partition you're stuffed, even if there are 100s of Gb free.
 
Whilst waiting for a response ( Thankyou :D ) I have just reformatted again.

This time during CTRL + I, I created 2 raid 0 arrays using the 2 disks.

So array 1 = 505GB

array 2 = 470GB

I know this isnt the right way but I am genuinely confused as to how best this up. All I will be using the drives for is OS and Apps.

Anyway, no matter which way I set it up I am getting HUGE spikes in HDtune.

I will post some pics shortley.

I really want to get this sorted today (day off) and am desperat to get me PC back up n running lol
 
1st Run



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I then ran it again straight after

2nd Run



Does this look about right?

What causes the spikes?

I think i'm going to format again this time (as I think your suggesting) by setting up 1 array in bios setup (CTRL + I, 2 x 500GB = 1000GB array) then during W7 setup create a C partition. Once W7 is installed I will use Disk Manager to create the remaining partition.

Sound about right?

Sorry to be such a pain but Raid (outside of a server environment is new to me) :)
 
The spikes on the traces are other processes accessing the disk and hence are normal.

What you're planning on doing now is how I would do it.
 
Thanks rpstewart you've been a great help!

Hopefully this will be my last reinstall :D
 
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