IDE RAID configuration question

[tablespace]

Hi,

I am planning on setting up a RAID system (most likely with the Gigabyte GA-8IRXP or Asus A7M266-D MoBo) for the first time. This is what I'd like to do:

1 x Maxtor D740X 60 GB OS/Application drive

1 x Maxtor D740X 60 GB Experimental drive (Linux perhaps)

2 x Maxtor D740X 60 GB Data drives

2 x Maxtor D740X 80 GB drives partitioned 40/120 for games and DV editing

I'd like to use the on board IDE for the first two drives.
I'd like to set up the 2 60 GB drives in a RAID 1 array.
I'd like to set up the 2 80 GB drives in a RAID 0 array.

Can I accomplish this with a 2 port RAID controller (on board or PCI card)? Or will I need a second controller for the second RAID array or a four port controller? i.e. do I have to connect each drive to a single port.

Thanks for the input.

 

[bazzla]

If you buy a mobo with an additional RAID controller, then you will have a total of 4 IDE ports(physically), each capable of supporting 2 devices.

For the configuration you mentioned, I'd suggest using the RAID controller for the 2 RAID arrays, although I'm not sure if the simple raid controllers on motherboards will support RAID1 and RAID0 at the same time. (but thinking about it perhaps they do)
Connect your 2 'system' drives to one of the ports of the chipset's own controller, and assuming you have one (or something similar) connect your CDROM CDRW etc to the remaining IDE port.

>> i.e. do I have to connect each drive to a single port.

No, I'd have the drives for the RAID pairs are on the same cable (port).
On reflection this may not be the best way, anyone know any different?

You will need a big case (and perhaps a second PSU) for all those drives though

 

[tablespace]

Thanks. That's kind of what I expected. I'm thinking of getting a Lian Li PC65 full tower (10 or 11 drive bays) with the Enermax 550 watt PSU. Would this be enough. I'm afraid I will not have enough power leads for all the drives (6 HDD, 1 FDD, 1 CDRW, 1 DVD), plus other peripherals. Would splitters cause any problems. I don't know if the case will take a second PSU.

 

[bazzla]

The best wasy (I think) to be sure would be to check the power consumption of the drives including CD drives etc. then add them all together to find out what the peak power or current consumption would be in the event of them all being active at the same time.
Compare this figure to the power supply's capacity on the drive leads.

As a rough guide however I've got:
3x 7200rpm 9GB SCSI HDDs
2x IDE 60GB HDDs
SCSI CDROM, CD-R
running on an ASUS P2B-S with a stack of expansion cards and an O/C Celeron 633 processor all running from the 300W PSU that came in my AOpen HX-08 case.

By comparison your system which would have one additional HDD (not adding much power draw) I think a 550W PSU should have the capacity and some headroom, even running a nice fat power hungry Athlon!

Splitters will do no harm, as long as you do not exceed the rated load on the supply rails. (I think I'm using 2 two-way splitters in mine)
In much the same way as using a 4 way mains extension lead you should not exceed 13 Amps load (UK mains assumed). If you ran four domestic fan heaters at the same time the fuse ought to blow.