2 non-SE 40GB IDE in RAID 0 vs. 1 8MB Cache IDE ?

[Maelsturm]

Current HD setup:

Maxtor 80GB 8MB Cache 7200 RPM - Master
IBM 45GB 75GXP 2MB Cache 7200 RPM - Slave

Just got:

Maxtor 40GB 2MB Cache 7200 RPM




I got this hard drive for really cheap. My two options

1) ebay it, sell it in FS/FT, etc......
2) put it in a RAID 0 array with the IBM. Install OS and programs on this, use Maxtor SE as slave and keep data/backup on it.




what do you guys think?

 

[Maelsturm]

bump

 

[Bovinicus]

If you don't mind losing those 5GB, then making a RAID array isn't such a bad idea. It will definitely be faster than the 8MB drive alone. However, you probably won't notice too much of a difference except in certain situations: bootup, application/game load times, and more snap in the Windows environment.

 

[Maelsturm]

I'd like to add that I use programs like Photoshop, Maya & 3dsmax on a strictly hobby basis. I do use them a lot though... so I am a performance freak which is why I recently upgraded to 768 DDR RAM

 

[RaiderJ]

I would say if you are strictly looking for performance, the RAID will work for you there, even if you are losing 5GB or so. Another option may be to sell both 40GB drives, and put the money into another 80GB drive, which would be really nice to set up in a RAID with your other drive.

 

[Maelsturm]

bump for more replies

 

[magomago]

I second what RaiderJ says.

 

[Maelsturm]

anyone know if its easy to RMA a deathstar 75GXP?

The IBM in my post is actually dying, it clicks on occasions.. makes the EEK EEK EEK ... everything that I have on it is backed up though.

 

[Davegod75]

i'd go with 1 8mb drive. just a preference.

1 less point of failure and raid in all honesty isn't "noticeably" faster

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Davegod75
i'd go with 1 8mb drive. just a preference.

1 less point of failure and raid in all honesty isn't "noticeably" faster

Depends on what you're doing. When I'm editing video, my RAID 0 setup is considerably faster than a single drive. Two 8MB buffer drives in RAID 0 would give great throughput and access times. If you want a little redundancy, get a RAID 5 controller and use 3 drives - 2 for striped data, one for parity data. Anandtech's FAQ's have more information on the various RAID levels.