How to create a RAID configuration by adding another M.2 SSD to laptop?

[RADD1]

Hello!

I recently purchased http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152937

I would like to add more storage to the m.2 SSD. Questions:

Can I add a m.2 SSD of a larger capacity than the one included (it came with a 128 GB, can I add a 256 GB)?

I have no experience with RAID; in what configuration would I want to arrange things (RAID 0, RAID 1, etc.)? I will back up important data to the HDD that was included, so I don't care about redundancy. I want this to be my primary drive for gaming, windows install, and all programs/apps.

By what process would I go about creating this RAID arrangement (I know I attach the second m.2 to the MOBO, though I'm not sure where; beyond that, IDK)?

Thank you!

 

[USAFRet]

In a word, Don't bother.

First, study and understand the different RAID levels. Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels
Second, determine what you want this for.

With 2 drives, you are only considering RAID 0 or RAID 1.

RAID 0 - Striped. across the two drives.
But they must be of equal size. 128GB + 256GB = 256GB RAID array.
In theory, a RAID 0 almost doubles read and write performance.
With old HHD's, yes. With SSD's, not so much.
Read this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-raid-benchmark,3485.html

RAID 1 - Mirrored
Again, drive sizes matter. 2x the size of the smallest. 128GB + 256GB = 128GB RAID 1
People think of RAID 1 as a backup. It is not. It is a direct mirror. Anything you do simply happens on both drives at once. Accidental file deletion, corruption, virus, etc, etc.
About the only thing a RAID 1 is good for is if you need actual 24/7 ops. Like if you were running a webstore. RAID 1 would allow the system to limp along until you can fix things.


You can add that second drive no problem. It will just have another drive letter.
But leave the RAID concept out of it.

 

[USAFRet]

the tl-dr for the above

RAID 0 - You gain little or no performance, lose drive space already purchased, and add the potential of losing it all if one drive dies.
RAID 1 - You lose a LOT of drive space, and there are much better ways of protecting your data.

 

[RADD1]

In a word, Don't bother.

First, study and understand the different RAID levels. Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels
Second, determine what you want this for.

With 2 drives, you are only considering RAID 0 or RAID 1.

RAID 0 - Striped. across the two drives.
But they must be of equal size. 128GB + 256GB = 256GB RAID array.
In theory, a RAID 0 almost doubles read and write performance.
With old HHD's, yes. With SSD's, not so much.
Read this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-raid-benchmark,3485.html

RAID 1 - Mirrored
Again, drive sizes matter. 2x the size of the smallest. 128GB + 256GB = 128GB RAID 1
People think of RAID 1 as a backup. It is not. It is a direct mirror. Anything you do simply happens on both drives at once. Accidental file deletion, corruption, virus, etc, etc.
About the only thing a RAID 1 is good for is if you need actual 24/7 ops. Like if you were running a webstore. RAID 1 would allow the system to limp along until you can fix things.


You can add that second drive no problem. It will just have another drive letter.
But leave the RAID concept out of it.

Nicely articulated, thank you! I'll get a 256 GB M.2 PCIe and dedicate it to games, not creating a RAID configuration.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Your MSI laptop can accommodate one M.2 PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVME solid state drive like the Samsung 950 Pro. According to MSI there is no header/connector for a second M.2 ssd. Therefore, it is not possible to use two M.2 ssd's in a RAID array. RAID arrays were originally designed for use with hard disk drives. It has reached the point where it is old technology.

I am inclined to agree with USAFRet. RAID arrays have some inherent risks. In addition, modern ssd's are very fast without any RAID configuration. You would have to be doing some very special work to justify a RAID array.

You mentioned upgrading from a 128GB ssd to a 256GB ssd which is what MSI offers as an option. You could replace the ssd with a larger capacity model. The capacity is not limited to 256GB. You could install an ssd with an even larger capacity.

 

[RADD1]

Your MSI laptop can accommodate one M.2 PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVME solid state drive like the Samsung 950 Pro. According to MSI there is no header/connector for a second M.2 ssd. Therefore, it is not possible to use two M.2 ssd's in a RAID array. RAID arrays were originally designed for use with hard disk drives. It has reached the point where it is old technology.

I am inclined to agree with USAFRet. RAID arrays have some inherent risks. In addition, modern ssd's are very fast without any RAID configuration. You would have to be doing some very special work to justify a RAID array.

You mentioned upgrading from a 128GB ssd to a 256GB ssd which is what MSI offers as an option. You could replace the ssd with a larger capacity model. The capacity is not limited to 256GB. You could install an ssd with an even larger capacity.

Thanks for your reply, Johnny. I purchased the version of the GT72S sold by Newegg, so customization was not an option, but for $1200 with everything it included, I don't really care. I want just enough space on the PCIe SSD(s) to have 5-6 games installed, as well as windows, office, and a few other programs. I won't be replacing the one it came with; I just want to add to it to meet the aforementioned goals. So I've ordered a 256 GB 950 Pro which, if I only install games on it, should be just large enough.

Cheers~