A few Questions about Raid0

LukeV

I was hoping someone can answer a few questions on this matter.

1. I have two WD Cavier SE HDs. One is 500GB and the other 640GB. Can I put these into raid0 configuration even though they have different capacities?

2. Do I have to format both drives completely before applying configuration and thus will I have to lose all data currently being stored on them unless I back it up on another.
Anyway I can set up the configuration without having to reinstall windows? Currently running windows 7.

I'm guessing question 2 is a stupid one, since the little I know about raid0 suggests that it's impossible to keep any previous data, but you never know.

3. If I do have to either lose all my data or back it all up somewhere...do you think it's worth the trouble to have the drives set up in raid0?

Thanks.

Iarwain · 04-23-2009, 07:42 | posts: 3,048 | User is Offline

1. Yes you can, though you might not be able to do hardware RAID 0, with your motherboard's configuration. You might have to do software via dynamic drives in windows, it's really all about what your mobo supports.

2. Yes, you do. At least, I know of no way to put disks in RAID 0 without formatting. While I guess it would be theoretically possible, as I said, I know of no way.

Having used RAID arrays myself, I don't think it's a great idea for you to do it with those drives. You are going to lose 140GB of space (It will only RAID 0 together 1TB, the extra will just be dead space). Not only that, but your drives are currently plenty fast. And unless you're manipulating very large files on a regular basis, there's really just no reason to RAID 0 them. The speed benefit would be minimal.

LukeV · 04-23-2009, 07:46 | posts: 315 | User is Offline

Alright then. Thanks you very helpful. I guess I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Thanks again.

preyingrazor · *Last edited by preyingrazor; 04-23-2009 at 08:50.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeV

I was hoping someone can answer a few questions on this matter.

1. I have two WD Cavier SE HDs. One is 500GB and the other 640GB. Can I put these into raid0 configuration even though they have different capacities?

2. Do I have to format both drives completely before applying configuration and thus will I have to lose all data currently being stored on them unless I back it up on another.
Anyway I can set up the configuration without having to reinstall windows? Currently running windows 7.

I'm guessing question 2 is a stupid one, since the little I know about raid0 suggests that it's impossible to keep any previous data, but you never know.

3. If I do have to either lose all my data or back it all up somewhere...do you think it's worth the trouble to have the drives set up in raid0?

Thanks.

RAID 0 will blow you away. The gains are not marginal at all. You will notice faster load times in games, faster boot times, fast file transfers etc etc. And the gains are pretty significant. You can easily use a program like HD Tune to see the performance before and after.

My suggestion to you would be the following:

1. Get another 500 GB WD Caviar SE HDD. Make sure it's the same model as your original drive. This will ensure the best matchup for RAID 0.
2. Transfer all your data from the original 500GB to the 640GB drive.
3. RAID 0 the two 500GB drives and then bung in the 640GB drive later.

Install your OS and games on the RAID and use the 640GB drive for important data. You would have had to get a storage drive anyway because you can't trust critical data to a RAID 0 array. The other advantage of a spare drive is that you can quickly detach it from ur system and transfer data to another system. RAID arrays aren't portable, so you can't do the same with them.

If you have any question about RAID 0 or how to set it up, don't hesitate to ask. You won't regret taking the RAID plunge. It's the single most in-expensive way to improve the performance of any system.

Might I add that the P45 chipset is one of the best for RAID. (yes, you have it)

Good luck!

Psytek · 04-23-2009, 12:30 | posts: 3,362 | Location: UK | User is Offline

lol @ integrated motherboard RAID controllers being 'good'.

preyingrazor · 04-23-2009, 12:56 | posts: 26 | Location: Southampton, UK | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psytek

lol @ integrated motherboard RAID controllers being 'good'.

great actually.

Do you have any benches to prove otherwise?

Psytek · 04-24-2009, 08:36 | posts: 3,362 | Location: UK | User is Offline

the point is, using onboard RAID effectively negates the idea of redundancy, because you have a single point of failure.

With true hardware RAID and software RAID, you can replace the card with an identical one, or use the same software to recover data.

This is all besides the point though, since RAID 0 has no redundancy anyway, but still, if the mobo fails, you can't recover the set, even if both hard drives still work.

performance is a given, its a factor of the conditions of individual reads and writes, the implementation of RAID 0 can't change the performance on the same order as a faster hard drive.

preyingrazor · 04-24-2009, 08:43 | posts: 26 | Location: Southampton, UK | User is Offline

So, if performance is the sole criterion, using onboard RAID 0 is alright, right?

Forget redundancy; you can always reinstall games and windows.

Pill Monster · *Last edited by Pill Monster; 04-24-2009 at 09:32.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by preyingrazor

RAID 0 will blow you away. The gains are not marginal at all. You will notice faster load times in games, faster boot times, fast file transfers etc etc. And the gains are pretty significant. You can easily use a program like HD Tune to see the performance before and after.

My suggestion to you would be the following:

1. Get another 500 GB WD Caviar SE HDD. Make sure it's the same model as your original drive. This will ensure the best matchup for RAID 0.
2. Transfer all your data from the original 500GB to the 640GB drive.
3. RAID 0 the two 500GB drives and then bung in the 640GB drive later.

Install your OS and games on the RAID and use the 640GB drive for important data. You would have had to get a storage drive anyway because you can't trust critical data to a RAID 0 array. The other advantage of a spare drive is that you can quickly detach it from ur system and transfer data to another system. RAID arrays aren't portable, so you can't do the same with them.

If you have any question about RAID 0 or how to set it up, don't hesitate to ask. You won't regret taking the RAID plunge. It's the single most in-expensive way to improve the performance of any system.

Might I add that the P45 chipset is one of the best for RAID. (yes, you have it)

Good luck!

Some interesting theories......

Quote:

It's the single most in-expensive way to improve the performance of any system.

Especially this one....

Quote:

Originally Posted by preyingrazor

great actually.

Do you have any benches to prove otherwise?

I guess you never used the SIS3114 or the nF4 raid controllers....

preyingrazor · 04-24-2009, 11:37 | posts: 26 | Location: Southampton, UK | User is Offline

Sigh. I'm sick of all the sarcasm on Guru3D.

I give up.

Iarwain · 04-24-2009, 19:46 | posts: 3,048 | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by preyingrazor

Sigh. I'm sick of all the sarcasm on Guru3D.

I give up.

Sarcasm is a part of life.

Finchwizard

24 Posts.
Didn't last long.

RAID0 is fast, and you do notice the difference.
Does it help that much in game loading times? Might take a couple of seconds off, but it won't improve the actual game play.

Is RAID0 worth the risk of having a hard drive fail, well, it sucks, then again if you only have a single drive anyway, and it fails, you're still screwed.

Ideally you want RAID0 with your Windows OS and games, and RAID1 with your more important data.

preyingrazor · *Last edited by preyingrazor; 04-24-2009 at 22:31.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by preyingrazor

You will notice faster load times in games, faster boot times, fast file transfers etc etc. And the gains are pretty significant. You can easily use a program like HD Tune to see the performance before and after.

Install your OS and games on the RAID and use the 640GB drive for important data. You would have had to get a storage drive anyway because you can't trust critical data to a RAID 0 array. The other advantage of a spare drive is that you can quickly detach it from ur system and transfer data to another system. RAID arrays aren't portable, so you can't do the same with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchwizard

24 Posts.
Didn't last long.

RAID0 is fast, and you do notice the difference.
Does it help that much in game loading times? Might take a couple of seconds off, but it won't improve the actual game play.

Is RAID0 worth the risk of having a hard drive fail, well, it sucks, then again if you only have a single drive anyway, and it fails, you're still screwed.

Ideally you want RAID0 with your Windows OS and games, and RAID1 with your more important data.

Great job recycling everything I said and reproducing the original product. Work for Greenpeace?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iarwain

Sarcasm is a part of life.

Yes, but just saying...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillmonster

I guess you never used the SIS3114 or the nF4 raid controllers....

...doesn't help anyone, does it? This is a technology forum and we help each other by sharing our experiences. Not by heckling other people for having an opinion.

Er, yes, you 'guessed' right. I've not used the raid controllers you mention. You apparently have...err, so can they turn lead to gold?

What else am I to surmise from your wittily crafted, highly informative response.

Pill Monster · *Last edited by Pill Monster; 04-25-2009 at 00:34.*

This is Guru3D - so if we give you a hard time don't take it personally - everyone here gets a bit of grief now and again...

Call it your initiation

Welcome....

Finchwizard

Quote:

Originally Posted by preyingrazor

Great job recycling everything I said and reproducing the original product. Work for Greenpeace?

Nope, I do work for Guru3D though, so have an infraction smart-ass.

preyingrazor · *Last edited by preyingrazor; 04-25-2009 at 12:31.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchwizard

Nope, I do work for Guru3D though, so have an infraction smart-ass.

Just as well. You wouldn't have exactly been their most-prized employee, either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchwizard

so have an infraction smart-ass.

Oh, yeah, I'm the one who needs to work on the attitude. Jeez. Forum police: pull over.

You need to learn to love my man. Lifes too short to go sniping people the second they open their mouth to say anything, just cos you might not agree.

Pill Monster · 04-25-2009, 12:03 | posts: 7,087 | Location: NZ | User is Offline

OK OK, that kind of attitude get you anywhere but the sign up page at a different forum

Just have a look at who is posting in here. We know what we're talking about (usually)
There's a some of us who have been part of this forum for a couple of years or more. You're acting a bit like the new kid who's out to prove himself to the old guys...just chill out. You don't need too....

We did start it to be fair but were just giving you a hard time and trust me - at G3D everyone gets a hard time or some ribbing eventually.
It's nothing personal so just chill and relax have a toke.....

kk?

Finchwizard

Alright see you later.

You had been warned, and I checked his last threads and he was having a go at previous members too.

If you're going to do nothing but complain and insult people, you can do it on a different forum.