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SSD and HDD RAID0

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dr0be

Member
I am upgrading my computer sometime in the next month or two and plan on getting a SSD to throw my OS and a few programs on. I have never tried RAID before, but would it be possible (and relatively easy) to have Win7 on the SSD and run two HDDs in RAID0? Would like a little speed boost since I probably will not be investing in a very large and expensive SSD.
 
yes, setting up raid is relatively easy, though it may depend on your controller. This is a fine solution, but you may want to do some research to find what stripe size and settings are best for your array.

So, what hdd's will you be using? Will you be using motherboard raid, or getting a hardware RAID card? Which model?
 
Shmee said:
yes, setting up raid is relatively easy, though it may depend on your controller. This is a fine solution, but you may want to do some research to find what stripe size and settings are best for your array.

So, what hdd's will you be using? Will you be using motherboard raid, or getting a hardware RAID card? Which model?
Click to expand...

I have an idea about how RAID works, but no idea about stripe size and whatnot. I have one 500GB WD 7200RPM right now (link below), so I was just going to grab another one of those. As for the controller, I was just going to use the motherboards. I've been eyeing the one below, but debating between all the gigabyte z68 models (they all seem the same to me other than minor differences, can't decide).

HDD : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-073-_-Product
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128493
 
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Typically when an SSD is installed in a computer that is running a RAID array (even if the SSD itself is not a part of that array) TRIM is disabled. So you will want to be sure to buy an SSD with garbage collection to ensure that the drives performance does not degrade over time.

Just something to be aware of - I believe that Intel's latest drivers fix this, but am not 100% sure so do your research.
 
In this example you will be better off on getting a 60Gb SSD (doesn't have to be the most recent gen ie Intel G2 or another TRIM capable drive) and then get a fast 1TB like a Samsung F3.

The RAID 0 of 2 pretty fast drives will be a little faster than a non-raid really fast drive but be less complicated and less prone to failure. I just filled up my SSD and off loaded a bunch of game installs on to a F3 that I got for $50. Works swell. SSD was able to run faster since it wasn't filled to capacity.
 
RedBeard said:
Agreed... other than benchmarking you will not be able to feel a difference.
Click to expand...

But wouldn't running the OS/program on the SSD and having the RAID 0 for storage make sense? Your sequential speeds would go up, which would be noticeable for larger file transfers?
 
RedBeard said:
Agreed... other than benchmarking you will not be able to feel a difference.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Running Cheetah/Raptor class drives in RAID 0 was the closest you could get to SSD speeds and IOPs looooooong before NAND SSDs ever manifested.

Those who had such arrays prior to SSDs were already used to < 10 sec boots and near instant application launches and 200+ MB/s speeds circa year 2000. Dont say RAID 0 is pointless unless you've used it.
 
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So would RAID0 on standard 7200RPM HDDs be worth it? I don't want to buy a 10000RPM drive or another SSD, so if it's not worth it, I'll just save my $44 and run my HDD by itself along with the SSD.
 
Emulex said:
yes definitely worth doing raid-0 - just remember to backup as you double your risk
Click to expand...

I know RAID0 increases the failure rate, but I have a 1TB external with sync software that I run daily so I'm not really concerned.

Does anyone know anything about what Modular said about how SSD TRIM is disabled when you run it along with RAID0 HDD? I read that happens with RAID0 SSD, but couldn't really find anything specific about it turning off if your HDDs are in RAID. From reading, TRIM sounds pretty important in keeping the drive organized.
 
most controllers don't have trim support for ssd YET. i suppose software raid-0 (non-boot) would work though. coming soon 🙂
 
dr0be said:
I know RAID0 increases the failure rate, but I have a 1TB external with sync software that I run daily so I'm not really concerned.

Does anyone know anything about what Modular said about how SSD TRIM is disabled when you run it along with RAID0 HDD? I read that happens with RAID0 SSD, but couldn't really find anything specific about it turning off if your HDDs are in RAID. From reading, TRIM sounds pretty important in keeping the drive organized.
Click to expand...

I think the idea was if you had a RAID supporting controller, it wouldn't support a spindle RAID0 AND and an SSD with TRIM. I don't think that would always have to be the case, as a controller could be in RAID mode and support the TRIM command.

So, if you want to run an SSD with TRIM, make sure the controller and OS supports it.
 
I think its the raid driver that screws it up, only Microsoft (or Intels) SATA drivers work with TRIM. If you are running a raid then you must install and run the raid controller driver, which does not support trim.

That's how it makes sense to me, I could be wrong as I have no experience with that setup.
 
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