200GB+ hard drives in raid 1 mirror

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kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
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I have two 74GB raptors. On them I store important code and media.

I am going to add two large capacity drives for use in a raid 1 mirror.
These drives will do the work currently handled by a 120GB Maxtor on
another machine. The drives will store audio and video files as well
as some redundant backups from the raptors. The drives will also serve
most of my temporary file needs, ie. application cache and downloads.

I expect I'd like at least 200GB for each drive. I suspect I want 3Gb/s
and expect to put them on their own controllers. The drives will run on
a DFI LanParty (nF4 Ultra). I do not know if it has completely independent
SATA controllers (it has 4 connectors) like my Intel D875PBZ (2 connectors).

I have never owned Seagate. I have experienced 3 drive failures, all Maxtor.
My IBM "Deathstar" 75GXP is still working fine as is my oldest drive, a
Western Digital people made fun of at the time.

I am interested in a relatively fast solution from a company and line
known for quality and longevity. I hope to find a rather reasonable
compromise between noise, heat, performance, MTBF and warranty...

My general opinion of the big players in hard drives is murky.

I am only interested in internal, SATA solutions.

Any suggestions?
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
I just did this a few days ago with 2 x 200 GB Samsung Spinpoint 120 drives.

StorageReview.com says these are quiet, low-power, and cool. The main drawback is that they only offer a 1-year warranty.
 
B

bwnv

Senior member
Feb 3, 2004
419
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Linky There's lots of data there on all the newer drives. Notice the 250 GB Western Digital, there was a review of it a week or so ago and they perform really well. That would be my recommendation, either Sata or Pata. I've always liked WD since Fujitsu stopped making 3.5" drives.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
storing data in a "Redundant backup" in the same machine is NOT a "redundant backup"
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
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Originally posted by: Homerboy
storing data in a "Redundant backup" in the same machine is NOT a "redundant backup"

-------------------------
"Ah... In a time of such ugliness, the only true protest is to be beautiful" - The Refused
Click to expand...

Please don't be like that.

I store backups explicitly on dvd, cdrw and hd using processes of my own creation.

I store copies of these backups in all of the following:

1. a safe
2. another state
3. another drive on a different machine
4. another drive on the same machine

Number 4 is in fact, a "redundant backup" in my opinion. I just used those two
words together logically. I am sorry if together they mean something to you
or others which is threatened by my simple statement. I cannot help you there.
 
N

nweaver

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2001
6,813
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Originally posted by: kaishaku72
Originally posted by: Homerboy
storing data in a "Redundant backup" in the same machine is NOT a "redundant backup"

-------------------------
"Ah... In a time of such ugliness, the only true protest is to be beautiful" - The Refused
Click to expand...

Please don't be like that.

I store backups explicitly on dvd, cdrw and hd using processes of my own creation.

I store copies of these backups in all of the following:

1. a safe
2. another state
3. another drive on a different machine
4. another drive on the same machine

Number 4 is in fact, a "redundant backup" in my opinion. I just used those two
words together logically. I am sorry if together they mean something to you
or others which is threatened by my simple statement. I cannot help you there.
Click to expand...

Industry standard says that a second drive on the same PC isn't a backup. Just as running raid1 does not constitiute a backup. An external device, that can be moved, IS considered a nearstore backup.
 
R

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,846
2
0
linh.wordpress.com
Originally posted by: kaishaku72
Ok, you people are useless.
Click to expand...

not useless, just assholes sometimes. we're picky about how ppl use terminology ;)

while i'm not a big fan of WD (they get loud quickly in my experience), from benches here and storagereview, they seem to be the best bet. Getting 3Gbs though.. that's all internal to the drive AFAIK.. doesn't mean too much really.

I love seagates for the volume.. but their latest offering isn't "top notch" performance for the enthusiast crowd.
 
P

pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
3,896
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0
For my backup, I have resorted to removeable racks on my computers. The cost is really negligible, with the deals on eBay.

I'm checking into the new Samsungs and hope to find some deals before Christmas.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou from Maui.
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
0
0
1. I am not looking for backup solutions. I am looking for a hard drive.
2. The words "backup" and "redundant" were used correctly above.
3. Arguing about #2 is "useless".

"When _I_ use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you CAN make words mean so many different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."
Click to expand...
 
boomerang

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
I have had Maxtor, IBM and Western Digital drives all fail on me. I have not yet had a Seagate drive fail. What does this mean? Probably that I have been lucky so far. You said yourself, some of the worst drives out there are still working fine for you.

Having said all that, I prefer drives with a 5 year warranty. I have to believe a manufacturer has confidence in it's product if it's willing to warranty it for 5 years.
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
0
0
I too am paying much more attention to warranties as I get older.

I think I will go with one of the 5 year warranty WD or Seagate drives.

The WD4000YR reviews are impressive, so I think that's probably the one.
SR even claims WD were considering calling this a 7200 RPM Raptor. ;-)

Somehow, the WD website gives me information I don't even know I am seeking.
That and my Raptor experiences probably led to my current WD preference.
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
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0
There are a few models of drives shipped from Newegg being reported DOA
in alarming numbers. Some models don't show much of this, while others do.

The WD4000YR is horrendous in this respect, as are some others..

? Newegg WD4000YR Reviews

What's going on here? The WD4000YR's have 24 hour factory burn-in...
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
7
81
I tried to put out some decent info a while back about RAID. It is almost futile trying to get good info here now it seems. As far as drives, I've had compatibility problems with the 7200.9 drives on my RAID controller. Never had problems with WD, but they were older drives (PATA) that I had. I've had to return one Hitachi so far, but that isn't too bad at all. I'm running 8 Hitachis right now, and they are good drives. I've also used Maxtors, but they seemed especially loud, and haven't tried them again lately... Good luck with your setup. :D
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
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0
I was waiting and hoping to see the WD4000YR problems go away
based on Newegg reviews, but they didn't. The reviews up to a day
or two ago still indicated DOA problems.

Yesterday the drives went out of stock, so I figured I would wait to
see if the new shipment was as problematic.

I went to look for any new reviews today and find the drives are
no longer listed on Newegg whatsoever.

Anyone know anything about the WD4000YR problems and a possible
cure from WD?
 
T

tiap

Senior member
Mar 22, 2001
572
0
0
Go with the waranty. First choice Seagate, 2nd WD
Have had many that are 4yrs plus old.
All venders have had some bad runs, but above seem to be the least.
Besides they are cheap these days.
 
M

mplutodh1

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
305
0
0
I've got 2 pairs of drives that I'm putting into Raid 1 once I am back at my apartment after the holidays. Seagate Barracuda Plus 200G 7200RMPS (x2 RAID1) and Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 16mb Cache (x2 RAID1) 300.0 GB @ 7200 RPMS

Can't really say how it works until after next weekend but I am pretty happy with both pairs of drives right now, Raid should be what I am looking for with backup.


Not sure about the whole 3gs thing but here are some links to some decent RAID setup style drives, all of these should perform pretty well.


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=100718-1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144179

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101253-12

Post talking about a few deals on larger drives.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1769096&enterthread=y
 
I

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
9,837
0
0
Not sure if this still applies, but WD used to have problems with spindle whine- I've seen many a WD drive that's been horribly, horribly noisy to the extent that even surrounded in foam you can still hear it whining.
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
0
0
Which Seagate drives are rated for 24/7 or nearline operation?

If I've never run RAID, can I expect Seagate to work well in RAID?

People make it sound like RAID depends on the drive models, while
I always thought it was a simple given. Is it the software drivers for
RAID which are in question?

If so, then I am definitely concerned and would choose a drive or
manufacturer known to produce just about the best drivers possible.
 
M

mplutodh1

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
305
0
0
The RAID Controller takes care of the actual RAID setup. Typically as mentioned it's smart to get identical drives. First off they are the same size, second the controller will identify the pair. Some controllers I have seen in the past have problems when you use drives of the same advertised sized but different models or brands.

My office desktop is on nearly 24x7 and I haven't had problems with my Seagates or Maxtors. Had one Maxtor go corrupt a while back and was never able to pin point the cause, I am still working on finding out if it's the disk itself or was something else. Seems to work fine now after a low level format.
 
K

karstenanderson

Senior member
Sep 8, 2004
919
0
76
i've never had a seagate die. WD, Maxtor, hell yes. they're junk i've got 2 samsung spinpoints in RAID1 and they work great. i'll never use something that lenovo uses in their machines :)
 
K

kaishaku72

Member
Oct 17, 2005
148
0
0
The Barracuda's do not seem meant for workstations.
That is my impression of the target market for these
drives based on specifications and reviews.

Seagate's Workstation offerings are SCSI it looks like,
while WD offers SATA workstation drives in the Raptor
and Caviar RE above their standard consumer drives.

I will wait around and hope to hear more about the
WD4000YR's before abandoning them altogether.
 
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