Two quick RAID 0 questions, NEED TO KNOW ASAP

[J3anyus]

Hey everyone, I'm setting up my RAID 0 array in a couple of hours and I need to know two things before I do it. I'll be running off a HPT370A that's onboard my EPoX 8K7A+, and I'll be using two identical Western Digital 60GB drives.

Questions:

1. After setting up my RAID array, can I change the stripe size? By that, I mean can I set up the array, install Windows, and then later change the stripe size, and keep my data intact? The purpose of this would be to test different stripe sizes, and to see which offers the biggest performance increase.

2. Do stripe sizes work like clusters? What I mean is, if I have a stripe size of 64K, then will all files take up at least 64K, like a 500 byte text file would take up 64K?

Thanks in advance!

J3

 

[SinNisTeR]

first off.. what drivers do you plan on using? there are some at icrontic here that are the best, these arent even listed on the HP site.

as far are your Qs goes.. to the best of my knowledge i dont think you can change the stripe size. i use 16k and a lot of people recommend that size.

 

[boyRacer]

I don't think you can change stripe sizes although i've never tried...

The stripe size just means anything smaller than the size won't have any effect at all and woud just function like a normal single HD. The anandtech review...(click on the storage link)...says that the best stripe size for my FastTrak 100 is 64KB... smaller stripes means a lot more work for your HD but check out the Anandtech review for more info. Too lazy to post the link.

 

[MichaelD]

Once you setup the array in the Raid controller bios, you CANNOT change the stripe size, as it's set at the time of the creation of the array. The only way to change the stripe size is to delete, then recreate the array, which means you would lose ALL DATA on that array.

I have the Highpoint 370 on my Abit KT7R, I'm using the original factory bios (WW, I believe). I use a 64kb stripe size, which is the max stripe size for the Highpoint controller. It works great for me. No probs. Good luck.

 

[mackvader]

Is there a problem using two differant drives in a Raid 0 array? I'm going to be getting my new comp soon and at some point I would like to add a Promise Fastrack 100 controller for Raid (Epox 8kha+). Right now I have a Maxtor Diamondmax 40gig. Would it be possible to use a differant drive in the array, or would you guys recommend against it?

 

[ChrisIsBored]

You have to use identical drives...

 

[Lvis]

you can use two different drives, but it's not recommended. If you use two that are of different sizes, in raid 0, you will get 2x the smallest drive. Left over disc space on the larger drive is not available for you to use.

 

[killmeplease]

The MAIN thing to remember with that board is get the HPT103b drivers here first.

Trust me. It will solve countless problems for you. I know all the owners of this board (including myself) will agree.

 

[wolf550e]

to answer your 2nd question, IMHO, it is.

 

[J3anyus]

<< The MAIN thing to remember with that board is get the HPT103b drivers here first.

Trust me. It will solve countless problems for you. I know all the owners of this board (including myself) will agree. >>



That's what I've been told over and over again, but I don't think I can use those drivers. HighPoint specifically states that they're not compatible with the HPT370A controller, they're only compatible with the HPT370 controller. I looked on my board, and sure enough, the chip on it is a HPT370A. So, according to Highpoint, those drivers won't work for me. Are you running an HPT370A on those drivers? If you are, lemme know.