RAID

[Lost Soul]

@atomizer

i'd say that depends, at least in part, on the quality of the hardware you purchase. personally, i always try to buy what i believe to be high quality, name brand drives. however, i'd also say that the failure rate is far less important in a RAID 0 array as long as you either a), don't store important data on it or B), back up data to another drive if you do. since i only run the OS and programs on my RAID 0 array, i'm not overly concerned if i lose a drive since it's easy to just reinstall. i'm also new to RAID though, so i have not had any failures. i'm using the relatively new WD, 10K RPM raptors in my array which, so far, i like very much. they are very fast and very quiet.

i like your ideal i think ill go with a raid 0 setup with a spare hd for storage needs to keep theme safe

[atomizer]

i think you'll be very pleased

if you haven't yet checked them out, take a look at the WD Raptor drives. if all you want to to do is store the OS and programs on them, you can use the smaller 36.7 G drives (two, 36.7 G drives in a RAID 0 array give you 73.4 G of storage. for me, that is WAY more than enough for the OS and all my programs, and i install a lot of programs).

you can pick them up at NewEgg for $116 each (NewEgg is a great vendor).

[atomizer]

ah, i should also add...

if your MB doesn't have an integrated SCSI controller, you'll have to buy an add-on one. i can offer no advise here as my mobo has an on-board controller.

the only other caveat i can think of is that, when you install the OS (windows anyway), you'll have to press F6 to load the driver for your controller so that windows will recognize the drives (just watch setup carefully and you'll be prompted when to hit F6). a floppy with the driver for the controller will be needed. there's more advanced ways of installing the controller silently if you poke around on the forums here, but hitting F6 works just fine. if you have an on-board controller, then the floppy probably came with the MB.

if you're going to use multiple drives, in addition to the RAID drives, you may find that the best way to install the OS is to actually UNplug the power leads for ALL of your additional hard drives. this will force windows to install on your RAID array.

EDIT...

keep in mind that the Raptor's are SATA

also i don't know if the drives include the cables. you'll have to check that.

Edited July 10, 2005 by atomizer

[KamiQuazi]

I use my hard drives more than just OS and Apps... I think i'm gonna go with a RAID 0 (2 74 GB WD Raptors) and 400 GB for storage on ATA...