RAID 0 vs. VelociRaptor Questions

[src1425]

I'm currently running 2 x 250GB Hitachi Deskstars in RAID 0 with a third drive for backup, and since I'll probably transfer one over to a new system for my son, I'd like to take the opportunity to upgrade my drives.

I use my PC for typical office apps and moderate gaming. In a nutshell, what will give me better performance:

1. My current HDs in RAID 0
2. A 300GB VelociRaptor for both system/programs and data storage (backup would still be on one of my existing drives)
3. A 150GB VelociRaptor for system/programs only and one of my current drives for data storage (backup as above)

Thanks in advance for any advice or info.

 

[Blain]

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[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Forums.

Originally posted by: src1425
Thanks in advance for any advice or info.

AFAIC, RAID in many ways is water under the Bridge for work station use.

Its time to move to the second decade of the 21th Century.

Move to a NAS (or Home server system) storage/backup system, and take all the noise and extra burden from your working computer.

I.e. Stay with one fast drive that its size is enough for the running work.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ght_key=y&keyword1=WHS

Why? cause with the current fast drives there is NO big gain in using RAID speed.

As far as technology is concerned when using a separate File and backup server the DATA is much more secure, and it is easier to get out of trouble when some thing happened to the Workstation.

 

[src1425]

Thanks for the speedy response, Jack.

Interesting suggestion! I probably wasn't specific enough in my post, and perhaps I'm splitting hairs, but I'm not sure I'd consider it a work station. While I use it for telecommuting, I also use it for moderately intensive gaming. My son's PC will be entry-level for schoolwork and light online gaming. Does that change your recommendations at all?

Also, is it generally better to have just the OS and apps on a fast drive and data storage on a second drive, or to combine everything on one drive with separate partitions?

Thanks again!

 

[Blain]

Partitions don't protect you from data loss due to drive failure.

I'd spend a couple of bucks more and go for the 300GB VelociRaptor and still use a current HD for back-up storage.
Your data would be more safe kept on two drives.
Actually, I'd probably install a hot swap bay, and pull the 250GB drive after a back-up was finished.
That way, if your machine gets some sort of electrical ZAP, you'll at least have the 250to fall back on.

 

[src1425]

Thanks Blain!

Yes, I definitely intend to keep a separate backup drive, but I was curious if there are any performance benefits from having the OS and apps on one drive and data on another (in addition to a third drive for backup). But for my usage, I'm probably being too picky.

 

[JackMDS]

There are some difference in the speed that the drive works according to its Physical build (Platter access is not the same all over the platter).

Because the Core OS is accessed all the time, by organizing and installing the OS on smaller partition that is on the faster part of the Drive their might be some Gains.

However with current speed of new computers it is Not really a Noticeable functional difference.

In addition the OS part tends to get more trashed than the Data part. So keeping the Data on a separate partition means that in case of partial trash one might get away with only installing the OS and the applications while the data part ion is OK.

One way or the other all of this is not a substitute for good backup. I use Acronis True image to images and compress the drive.

I do not use RAID anymore because for my purpose I do not see any performance advantage anymore, it make too much noise, takes extra electricity and reduce the flexibility of managing backups/restores etc.

I think that RAID on regular working computers would stay for a while as a Geeko-Social phenomenon and then would disappear.

 

[src1425]

Thanks for the good feedback, everyone. The NAS route is looking more and more appealing for backup purposes, so I will likely ditch my RAID 0 and minimize the number of drives in each workstation.