To Raid or not to Raid at DVinfo.net

Steven Davis · August 17th, 2005, 08:39 AM

I know we have other threads on this subject, but I wanted to start this one as a central opinionated location. I am as of today finishing up my NLE build. It's an Athlon 3800x2 dual core, system with a gig of ram. I'm using the Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI. I bought a new 250 WD SATA and scavanged a 200 SATA out of my old machine. I was going to raid but after all the reading I did, with just two drives, RAID0 just looks scary.

So I guess since I'm at this point of to Raid or not to Raid, anyone have a strong opinion on Raiding, unless I was going to RAID 0, I don't see the efficent point.

Glenn I know you have wrote about this and said at one point that Raid 0 is not much more effiecient.

Someone push me over the edge.

Steven Davis

As always, thanks.

Glenn Chan · August 17th, 2005, 10:11 AM

With two mistmatched drives, RAID 0 will likely be slower than no RAID at all. You will also lose 50GB of capacity.

You usually want to RAID with the same drives.

Edward Borden · August 18th, 2005, 06:18 PM

I agree with Glenn. Would never RAID two drives that aren't exactly the same. It's mismatching everything from performance to size, etc.

To RAID or not to RAID is such a broad topic... without a specific goal in mind, it's sort of rhetorical.. There is a purpose to RAID. There are different types of RAID. This is because there are different needs to different situations.

In short, in YOUR case with no further information but two mismatched drives, no RAID.

Steven Davis · August 18th, 2005, 06:48 PM

Good stuff, I gave up on the raid, I figure with this board, I could always raid some capture drives later. So I didn't raid, I just have the two satas, thanks for the words.

August 17th, 2005, 08:39 AM	#1
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	To Raid or not to Raid I know we have other threads on this subject, but I wanted to start this one as a central opinionated location. I am as of today finishing up my NLE build. It's an Athlon 3800x2 dual core, system with a gig of ram. I'm using the Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI. I bought a new 250 WD SATA and scavanged a 200 SATA out of my old machine. I was going to raid but after all the reading I did, with just two drives, RAID0 just looks scary. So I guess since I'm at this point of to Raid or not to Raid, anyone have a strong opinion on Raiding, unless I was going to RAID 0, I don't see the efficent point. Glenn I know you have wrote about this and said at one point that Raid 0 is not much more effiecient. Someone push me over the edge. Steven Davis As always, thanks. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

August 18th, 2005, 06:18 PM	#3
Edward Borden Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Posts: 49	I agree with Glenn. Would never RAID two drives that aren't exactly the same. It's mismatching everything from performance to size, etc. To RAID or not to RAID is such a broad topic... without a specific goal in mind, it's sort of rhetorical.. There is a purpose to RAID. There are different types of RAID. This is because there are different needs to different situations. In short, in YOUR case with no further information but two mismatched drives, no RAID. __________________ Edward Borden President, Tantus Computers Post Production Solution Providers Video Editing/3D Workstation Integrators http://www.tantuscomputers.com 877.826.8871

August 18th, 2005, 06:48 PM	#4
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Good stuff, I gave up on the raid, I figure with this board, I could always raid some capture drives later. So I didn't raid, I just have the two satas, thanks for the words. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

August 17th, 2005, 10:11 AM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	With two mistmatched drives, RAID 0 will likely be slower than no RAID at all. You will also lose 50GB of capacity. You usually want to RAID with the same drives.