Rigging a Raid Setup

[bigbrent88]

Setup:
AMD 3800=X2 AM2 running 2.2Ghz
Abit Kn9 SLI
2gb OCZ GOld DDR2-800
EVGA 7900 GT KO 512MB

Hey all, I am trying to setup a RAID 0 on my current setup. Currently I have two drives; 1-120GB SATAII WD 16mbcache and 1-80GB SATAI Maxtor 8mb cache. These drives are out of sync in every way, but I was wondering if RAID 0 is still possible.

Thinking something like this with the 120gb labeled drive (1) and 80gb labeled drive (2)

(1)Partitioned-Part 1 80GB---RAID---(2)80GB
-Part2 40GB

I could load windows and programs on the RAID splits and media, documents and the second pagefile on the 40GB partition. Is this possible? Thanks,
Brent

 

[MustISO]

Are you sure you don't mind losing all your data when a HD dies?

 

[ch33zw1z]

of course it's possible, but what ^he said

 

[Madwand1]

I don't think it's entirely (*) possible with an nVIDIA RAID implementation. It might be possible with Intel.

(*) I.e. you can create a 2x(minimum size) array, but can't use the remainder.

 

[Jiggz]

This is possible except your max set up will be 2-80GB hdd's. The remaining 40GB on the 120GB hdd will be wasted. So the total size of the array will be 160GB.

 

[tapir]

You can't use the extra 40GB using partitions if you set it up in a RAID array.

 

[bigbrent88]

Ive got 2GB of USB flash so backups arent a big problem, not something I'd like to deal with though. The 80GB is a few years old, thats why I was hoping for that extra partition space on the newer drive for keeping non-striped data on a newer drive. But if that space wouldnt show up as usable space then I dont think I want to use this setup.

I'm trying to get a clean start with my hard drives and windows install after lots of troubleshooting with tons of restarts and BDoD's, uninstalls, reinstalls. So basically just looking for something I can do to get the best performance out of my setup. Is there any way to get data to the outer edge of the drive, maybe partition the drive to ensure some data is farther out on the platter? Also going to split the pagefile between the drives, heard you can run a small one on the windows installed drive and a larger one on another drive. Anyways, suggestions?

 

[Jiggz]

Just set up the 120 hdd as the os/program hdd and the 80gb as the data drive and also your pagefile drive. This is about the best setup in your case until you can get a faster hdd or two identical hdd for a raid 0 setup. Windows has a built in defrag program and locates your system files on the outer edge for higher performance.

 

[bigbrent88]

Sounds like a good plan. I always assumed that windows was running on the inside edge when you look at the defrag graphic with the left being the inside, but I guess its just a stacking graphic. Well, time to start backing up for the install, thanks.