So, I'm lookingto get a new HDD and I'm not sure what to get. Should I get a 10k rpm one or two 7,200 ones and set them RAID0. Also, which one is faster than the other? ANy help would be appreciated.
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Anonymous2006-05-29 1:27
the rpm speed affects seek time.
how much is your system dependent on disk i/o for good performance? if you use the hdd's mostly to archive, then rpm speed shouldn't matter. if you use the hdd's to heavily serve content, or for heavy dynamic usage like video editing, watching 3/4 videos at once, it may make a difference.
basically, your choice is speed vs. quantity. which do you need more?
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Anonymous2006-05-29 1:34
Uh... I just want to be able to run Battlefield 2, HL2, and Photoshop relatively quick. I'm a first timne builder, so I'm not exactly sure what I should be getting.
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Anonymous2006-05-29 1:36
7200 can play HL2 smoothly and Photoshop too, but dunno about BF2 though
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Anonymous2006-05-29 1:40
Also, is it better to install your OS on a higher rpm hdd or does it not really matter? Sorry for being a n00b
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Cyn !preCLIRszg2006-05-29 4:23
2x 7200s will run faster than one 10k, and if you already have a RAID controller, it's cheaper for a lot more space.
I would highly reccommend two smaller drives on a RAID0 with OS, apps, and game installs, and use single drives (or multiple on a RAID1/5 if you're really paranoid/rich) for data storage. It'll distribute the workload pretty well if you want to watch a movie while running a game or whatever you do. :P
So, how much does a RAID controller run for? I thought you would just set up RAID in the BIOS or something. Thanks for all the info though.
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Anonymous2006-05-29 16:01
there are three possibilities:
1. true hardware raid: you just connect the hdds to the raid-controller and it'll appear as one hdd to the os. expensiev.
2. pseudo hardware raid: you connect the hdds to the raid-controller, install some drivers and it'll appear as one hdd to the os. not expensiev.
3. software raid: you connect the hdds like norma and setup a software raid in you os. even windows supports that, although i don't know how to setup windows ON a software raid. for free.
the performance is roughly the same on all.
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Anonymous2006-05-29 16:57
>>11 You cannot install Windows on a software RAID solution. Windows needs to be installed on a seperate drive.
RAID0 is supported by a good number of motherboards these days. It's kinda the pseudo hardware RAID >>11 mentioned. You set it up in the BIOS and you also need drivers for it. It might be a bit much if you're a complete beginner but it doesn't cost anything extra than the motherboard.
There are risks to running RAID0. Since it uses 2 hard disks in tandem, if ONE of those drives fails, ALL of your data on the other disk is gone too. This is also extra stress on the drives since as soon as one drive is accessed, so is the other. You do get nearly double transfer rates and you keep all of the space from both drives so the trade off is up to you.
7200RPM is fine for your use.
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Anonymous2006-05-30 8:40
>>6
this reply does not understand what it is trying to say
it is in factual error
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Anonymous2006-05-31 2:46
OP here
I think I'm going to get two 80gig 7200rpm HDDs run them in RAID0 and also get a 250gig 7200rpm HDD for storage.
I guess I'll put all of my apps and Windows on the RAID ones and everything else on the 250. I won't have to install windows on every single HDD will I?
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Anonymous2006-05-31 7:39
>>14
Nope. Unless ur preparing urself when the RAID fails and you need to use your computer asap.
I think that's a reasonable setup. I'm running two Seagate 80gig 7200rpm HDDs in RAID0 myself right now with my external 160GB HD for storage and backup. I've been running them like this for over a year now with no signs of problems.