Which is a faster HDD Setup?

[dsorrent]

Which would actually result in better performance:

2 - 7200 RPM SATA Drives w/8MB Buffer configured in RAID 0

-- or --

1 - 7200 RPM SATA Drive w/16MB Buffer

 

[imported_Twitch]

If this would be for a regular desktop computer, they would have comparable performance in most tasks. Unless you are using/transferring large files (eg video editing, multi-user server stuff, etc.) very often, you won't be using the capabilities of Raid0 very often.

However, you still will have the disadvantages of Raid0 regardless. There might be a slight overhead with running the Raid array (Depending on the Raid controller), and for singler user tasks you very well might get similar (or worse) speeds. Most importantly, if either one of your drives fail, you lose all of your information. Be wise to backup your Raid0 data often, or better yet, keep your data on a seperate HDD entirely.

 

[akira34]

You'll get much better results with these drives... I have a pair of 160GB Seagate SATA drives on RAID 0 as my boot drive and it makes everything more responsive in my system. From moving files, to opening apps, to running apps. All around performance increase.

If you're concerned about your data, either setup a backup routine (dvd's are a very cheap option) or go with a RAID 0+1 array.

I've found that going with a RAID array makes a difference in system performance across the boards. Especially if you use good drives for the array...

 

[dsorrent]

Originally posted by: akira34
You'll get much better results with these drives... I have a pair of 160GB Seagate SATA drives on RAID 0 as my boot drive and it makes everything more responsive in my system. From moving files, to opening apps, to running apps. All around performance increase.

If you're concerned about your data, either setup a backup routine (dvd's are a very cheap option) or go with a RAID 0+1 array.

I've found that going with a RAID array makes a difference in system performance across the boards. Especially if you use good drives for the array...

Those drives you posted say they are SATA II.. Do I need a special controller for that? I was planning on using the controller on the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum.. The specs for this motherboard say:

Supports 4 SATA ports. Transfer rate is up to 150MB/s
Supoprt up to 4 SATA & 4 ATA133 Hard drives
RAID 0 or 1, 0+1, JBOD is supported
RAID function work w/ATA133 + SATA H/D

 

[akira34]

From the drive description...

Interface: Serial SATA 150
Features: Up to 20 percent performance improvement over previous SATA, 100 percent software compatible with existing PCs"

You can also find more information (REAL easy) on Seagate's site... Here's the illustrated configuration page and the specification page...

I'm using a pair of these drives with my K8N Neo Platinum mobo without any difficulty at all. In fact, I like them so much I'm thinking about replacing my older 160GB Seagate SATA drives with another pair... Just need to pay rent and a couple of bills before I order them up.

 

[Veramocor]

Originally posted by: akira34
From the drive description...

Interface: Serial SATA 150
Features: Up to 20 percent performance improvement over previous SATA, 100 percent software compatible with existing PCs"

You can also find more information (REAL easy) on Seagate's site... Here's the illustrated configuration page and the specification page...

I'm using a pair of these drives with my K8N Neo Platinum mobo without any difficulty at all. In fact, I like them so much I'm thinking about replacing my older 160GB Seagate SATA drives with another pair... Just need to pay rent and a couple of bills before I order them up.

Akira: What is the noise level on that drive?

 

[akira34]

Which one??

The first ones (120GB) have the accoustics listed on the spec's page...

ACOUSTICS (bels)
fluid bearing (typ/max-quiet/max-perf) _<2.5/3.0/3.7

It's not enough to bother me. When the drives are not being accessed, they're silent. Otherwise you just get the 'normal' drive read/write sounds...

 

[dsorrent]

Originally posted by: akira34
From the drive description...

Interface: Serial SATA 150
Features: Up to 20 percent performance improvement over previous SATA, 100 percent software compatible with existing PCs"

You can also find more information (REAL easy) on Seagate's site... Here's the illustrated configuration page and the specification page...

I'm using a pair of these drives with my K8N Neo Platinum mobo without any difficulty at all. In fact, I like them so much I'm thinking about replacing my older 160GB Seagate SATA drives with another pair... Just need to pay rent and a couple of bills before I order them up.

Thanks for the info!