Two raid arrays on one motherboard?

[caff]

I want to build a new conroe rig, no expense spared. I really want to put RAID-0 on all disks, as it seems ideal for my needs (mainly music production, plus gaming).

I'd like to buy 4 disks of around 400Gb each, and setup two RAID-0 arrays (each 800Gb or so total). I want to avoid raptors as I've owned them in the past - and while they are very fast, they are also too noisy for me.

My thinking is that one array will be used for the primary partition (Windows and executables) and the second array for all my data (sound files etc.). This will be done on a new PC build, new motherboard, new E6600 processor etc.

I am completely new to RAID and don't know if this can be done - so a couple of questions:

1. Is it actually possible to have two raid arrays on an intel (conroe) motherboard? I've seen motherboard specs that 'support RAID' but that doesn't tell me if I can have two separate arrays.

2. I'm planning on using two disks in a RAID-0 array for my main drive (C. Can I put another two drives in a separate array for drive D: ?

3. Do I definitely need a floppy disk drive to create a RAID array - if so, do motherboards generally come with the required floppy disk?

4. If I don't need a floppy drive, how do I install Windows XP from scratch with just a CD drive?

thanks!

 

[semi-pro waster]

1) It depends partly on the motherboard but some have two separate controllers(e.g. Promise and Nvidia or something like that) so yes perfectly possible.

2) It looks like this is essentially question 1) reworded. I'd possibly not suggest going for it for your main drive also unless you plan to have a good back-up routine(you should have one anyway) or you don't mind the possibility of reinstalling Windows. You also have to consider the data on your storage drives as well but basically if you want to do it and are aware of the risks then yes it is possible.

3) You do need a floppy disk and no, they don't tend to come with them in my experience, you just create one yourself using the drivers on the CD.

4) I'm pretty sure you always need a floppy disk drive to install Raid although Vista may change this.

As an aside be careful not to get confused about mb and gb when ordering hard drives although I doubt you can buy a 400mb hard drive any more.

 

[caff]

LOL whoops - of course I mean Gb

Thanks for the replies - yes I am aware of the risks and will use an external HD for backups. I won't bother to backup my main partition (C: ) as I am careful about not storing data on this disk. Wndows / applications are easy to install again - losing hours of music work isnt!

Could you (or anyone) recommend a good motherboard that could handle a Conroe processor (E6600) and two raid arrays as mentioned?

thanks

 

[semi-pro waster]

Sure, the Asus P5W DH Deluxe comes with both an Intel and a Silicon Image Raid controller(also a Jmicron controller too but that doesn't support Raid). It is based on the 975 chipset so should overclock well with the 6600 if you feel the need and it is a very fully featured motherboard.

There are probably others but I like Asus motherboards as they are normally very solid in use.

 

[caff]

Many thanks, looks absolutely ideal - I've also been a satisfied Asus user in the past, so that's the motherboard for me