RAID array with old and new 120BB OK?

[Kuroyama]

I have a Western Digital 120BB drive I purchased about 1.5 years ago. I'd like to get a RAID 0 array going. I often hear that the best choice is two drives of the same type and manufacturing time. Would another 120BB be my best bet for now? Or is this not going to work out well since the drives have very different manufacturing dates and hence probably won't sync perfectly?

Also, if I bought a Western Digital 20GB drive could I run a RAID 0 array using a 20GB partition from the 120BB, and keep the other 120GB as a separate non-RAID partition?

 

[NumbaJuan]

both hard drives should be the same size for raid 0 to get the max benefit. If you use you a 20 gb & a 120gb the array will be recognized as a 40gb array. It will default to the smaller size drive. Now if you use two 120gb drives, you will have a 240gb array (raid 0)

 

[Kuroyama]

Oops, that should have read

"Also, if I bought a Western Digital 20GB drive could I run a RAID 0 array using a 20GB partition from the 120BB, and keep the remaining 100GB as a separate non-RAID partition?"

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Kuroyama
Oops, that should have read

"Also, if I bought a Western Digital 20GB drive could I run a RAID 0 array using a 20GB partition from the 120BB, and keep the remaining 100GB as a separate non-RAID partition?"

No, you'd end up with a 20GB RAID 0 array and 100GB of lost storage. Best bet would be to RAID 0 those two 120GB if you are gonna RAID at all, and pick up a smaller disk for a backup off the array. Otherwise you'd be better off with just 2 individual drive's if you are worried about drive failure (like most people are on this board).

Chiz