Have questions about RAID 0, NTFS, and cluster size etc.

[JAWS1]

I am about ready to install win xp on a new RAID 0 array for the first time and more than a little nervous. If someone could try and answer some or all of the following it would really help, the nerves anyway.

1. I have heard that you must go thru a lengthy process involving installing windows on a third HD then transfer it to the RAID drives in order to have other than the default 4k cluster size or buy a program to do it for you. Is this true? I think I would rather have a 16 or 32k stripe with a cluster to match. Although I understand there is nothing wrong w/4k.

2. I am going to have 2 IDE maxtor 120GB HD's connected to the SATA controller via 2 serilell 2 adapters on a ABIT Is7 board. I will have a WD 40GB HD for backup. The one maxtor is being used w/win xp pro installed on it. When I put the other drive with it to make up the array, can I just install win xp and clean off the used drive thru the installation and reformat or do I have to clean it off some other way first?

3. Is it still true that I must switch to NTFS If I want partitions larger than 32GB's? Does NTFS cause any problems with a one client Hm Network, non domain, if the one client is also NTFS?

4. I will ask this on the ABIT forums if I have to but just in case you might know, Is BIOS 16 okay for a RAID 0 on the IS7 MOBO? THANK YOU!!


HOST COMPUTER
Abit Is7, 865PE+ICH5R, FSB 800Mhz, BIOS 16,
Pent 4, 2.4c Ghz, HT, No OC
2x256MB Generic
2x256MB Kingston Hyper, Twins
Dual Mode, DDR 400, PC3200, No OC
Maxtor 120GB, 7200rpm, 8MB, UATA 133, Serilell 2
Western Digital, 40GB, 7200rpm, 100 UATA
Nvidia GF, FX 5200, 128MB, 8x, TV, DVD out
On brd Realtec 6ch Snd, 3com Gigabit LAN, SB Sata, Raid, Infrd
SPDIF/Digital Boston Spkrs
Phillips CDRW, 52x CDROM, 1.44 Floppy
Windows XP Pro w/SP1
Mid Tower ATX

 

[Fencer128]

Hi,

You will have better luck with this at the Storage Review website. They have forums there that deal with these kinds of questions day in, day out.

Something to ponder, assuming that you've done some recent research into the benfits of RAID0, why do you want to implement it?

Good luck,

Andy

 

[JAWS1]

Thanks for answering fencer, that is better than the others did anyway. I guess you are right, I'll have to go to another Forum, I guess I was foolish to think I could find these answers at Anandtech.

 

[stevennoland]

I wouldn't give up on Anandtech so easily. And yes, getting all the info you need is crucial, even if you have to search other forums. As for the RAID 0, I have one in my current rig. Anybody going for a RAID 0 is after pure speed. They know the risks. In HALO, the transition from one level to the next is almost seamless with my RAID 0 . I had the program installed on a non raid system and I could definately notice a pause during level transitions. RAID 0 with 2 WD Raptors ROCKS!

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: JAWS1
I am about ready to install win xp on a new RAID 0 array for the first time and more than a little nervous. If someone could try and answer some or all of the following it would really help, the nerves anyway.

1. I have heard that you must go thru a lengthy process involving installing windows on a third HD then transfer it to the RAID drives in order to have other than the default 4k cluster size or buy a program to do it for you. Is this true? I think I would rather have a 16 or 32k stripe with a cluster to match. Although I understand there is nothing wrong w/4k.

Unless you are working regularly with very large files (video editing for instance) put your stripe size at 64k. Fooling with your cluster size rarely is a good idea but you can do it just by using the /A switch during format.

2. I am going to have 2 IDE maxtor 120GB HD's connected to the SATA controller via 2 serilell 2 adapters on a ABIT Is7 board. I will have a WD 40GB HD for backup. The one maxtor is being used w/win xp pro installed on it. When I put the other drive with it to make up the array, can I just install win xp and clean off the used drive thru the installation and reformat or do I have to clean it off some other way first?

Not sure I'm following you here but hows this: The moment you add that other maxtor and turn the first one into a member of a stripe set you're going to lose all the data on it. No special action required to 'clean it off' or anything. Just establish the stripe set via controller bios then kick off XP setup and provide the F6 driver.

3. Is it still true that I must switch to NTFS If I want partitions larger than 32GB's? Does NTFS cause any problems with a one client Hm Network, non domain, if the one client is also NTFS?

No. The 32GB limit is simply a limit of the formatting utility that comes with XP. You can still format using a dos diskette to create a larger partition then setup to it. The partition will work just fine. However I would highly recommend you just stick with NTFS for many many reasons. NTFS will not cause any problems with a home network at all. It only introduces file/folder permissions to the picture which are quite easy to set the way you want.

4. I will ask this on the ABIT forums if I have to but just in case you might know, Is BIOS 16 okay for a RAID 0 on the IS7 MOBO? THANK YOU!!

I have no idea what you are talking about so here is a picture of a bunny with a pancake on it's head.

hope this helps.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Fencer128
Hi,

You will have better luck with this at the Storage Review website. They have forums there that deal with these kinds of questions day in, day out.

Something to ponder, assuming that you've done some recent research into the benfits of RAID0, why do you want to implement it?

Good luck,

Andy

I declare shenanigans on the recent research that indicates there is no benefit to raid 0.

I got kinda forced into my own research recently. I ordered a pair of 73GB WD SATA raptors for a stripe I was setting up. One drive was DOA (you could hear something loose inside - I fired it up just to see and it sounded like a handfull of pennies in a blender hehe). I setup my OS on the remaining drive and benchmarked it for fun.

When the replacement drive arrived I reinstalled in a Raid 0. The benchmarks (throughput mostly) were much better (>75% increase if I remember) but the system really 'felt' much faster. Programs were more responsive at launch etc.

Although it's a bit subjective I'm definately convinced there is a benifit to Raid 0 on the desktop.

 

[JAWS1]

Thanks stevennoland and Smilin, your answers were right on and you have restored my faith in Anandtech. I guess I was just being impatient.

I have seen the same discredits being givin to RAID 0, but I have read many user letters that swear to its benifits and I guess I'll go with the people who are using it and give it a try. I'll always wonder what might have been if I don't. I won't be able to have Raptors so it won't be that good, but what the heck, we'll see.

I had to laugh, because I have had HD's that sound just like that. The pancake smiley wouldn't install by the way.

I hate to be dumb but I don't know what a /A switch is. Is that A prompt?

Smilin you gave me exactly the information I needed and have made me much less nervous than I was and I want you to know it is sincerely appreciated.

Regards!

 

[Fencer128]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Fencer128
Hi,

You will have better luck with this at the Storage Review website. They have forums there that deal with these kinds of questions day in, day out.

Something to ponder, assuming that you've done some recent research into the benfits of RAID0, why do you want to implement it?

Good luck,

Andy

I declare shenanigans on the recent research that indicates there is no benefit to raid 0.

I got kinda forced into my own research recently. I ordered a pair of 73GB WD SATA raptors for a stripe I was setting up. One drive was DOA (you could hear something loose inside - I fired it up just to see and it sounded like a handfull of pennies in a blender hehe). I setup my OS on the remaining drive and benchmarked it for fun.

When the replacement drive arrived I reinstalled in a Raid 0. The benchmarks (throughput mostly) were much better (>75% increase if I remember) but the system really 'felt' much faster. Programs were more responsive at launch etc.

Although it's a bit subjective I'm definately convinced there is a benifit to Raid 0 on the desktop.

Hi,

Sounds like it's doing something for you. Can I ask - have you compared non-RAID 0 10k rpm vs RAID 0 10k rpm. From your post it sounded like you were saying that your new 10k striped array is fast (I just wonder if that's because you're comparing it to a 7k2 rpm system?)

Anyway - I'm sure the debate will rage for a while yet!

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Fencer128]

Originally posted by: JAWS1
Thanks stevennoland and Smilin, your answers were right on and you have restored my faith in Anandtech. I guess I was just being impatient.

I have seen the same discredits being givin to RAID 0, but I have read many user letters that swear to its benifits and I guess I'll go with the people who are using it and give it a try. I'll always wonder what might have been if I don't. I won't be able to have Raptors so it won't be that good, but what the heck, we'll see.

I had to laugh, because I have had HD's that sound just like that. The pancake smiley wouldn't install by the way.

I hate to be dumb but I don't know what a /A switch is. Is that A prompt?

Smilin you gave me exactly the information I needed and have made me much less nervous than I was and I want you to know it is sincerely appreciated.

Regards!

Hi,

Just to be specific - recommending storagereview.com wasn't a slight on anandtech.com - it's just I know that you'd get a quick and authorative answer there, given the focussed nature of the site.

Cheers,

Andy