Raid question

lokiguesty · 12 Apr 2007 at 12:37

HI all

should be starting a new build soon which im hoping to incorporate 2x 150gb raptors in Raid 0.

i've never set up raid before so what i would really like to know is can i do it onboard from the mobo or is it a better idea to get a raid controller (i saw em on ocuk somewhere)?

also how difficult is it to get it up and running?

thanks

Loki

semi-pro waster · 12 Apr 2007 at 12:56

If you have Raid on the motherboard(most do now) then you are as well trying it first, a proper Raid controller will cause a bit less of an overhead if it is good but not really necessary for most at this level.

Not very difficult to get working, you need to go into the Raid 'bios' which is normally done by pressing a combination of keys during the boot up sequence (on mine for the Promise Fasttrak controller it is ctrl + f but it may differ for you) and then select Raid0 and let it build the array. Anything you currently have on the drives will be wiped though.

rpstewart · 12 Apr 2007 at 13:00

For RAID0 setups there's no real benefit in using a separate card, it's only when you get into RAID5/6 etc that a card can be of use.

lokiguesty · 12 Apr 2007 at 13:18

on a new build can i tell it to set up raid before installing the operating system?

it seems a bit pointless for me to install windows then have to wipe it off and reinstall to get raid working

semi-pro waster · 12 Apr 2007 at 13:26

Yes you can, just plug in the drives then set up the Raid array in the Raid bios and remember you will need a floppy disk with the Raid drivers on it for the Windows installation process. When you start the Windows setup it will give a brief prompt like "Press F6 to install SATA/Raid drivers" so you do that and wait until it finishes that part of the process to install the drivers.

AndyOcUK · 13 Apr 2007 at 14:02

Nvidia NForce chipset based boards use the chipset's "NVRAID" controller which is an enterprise level controller. This means, in terms of performance and reliability, it should be on a par with any Adaptec or similar dedicated card.

I've used Raptors in RAID 0 (Stripe) for around three years now on NForce 2, 3 and 4 based boards - no problems at all and extremely quick....Vista installed in around 15 mins!

AndyOcUK
OcUK Tech

Roland0 · 27 Apr 2007 at 20:19

AndyOcUK said:
no problems at all and extremely quick....Vista installed in around 15 mins!

AndyOcUK
OcUK Tech

Is that quicker than a normal install because I thought vista installed from an image and was really quick anyhow?

semi-pro waster · 28 Apr 2007 at 00:24

Stoned_SpaZZZ said:
Is that quicker than a normal install because I thought vista installed from an image and was really quick anyhow?

Raid0 is a bit quicker, it isn't hugely quicker but it was enough to be a bit noticeably last time I was using it.