Question Question about RAID

[SierraArgo]

So, I've been running my system off a 1TB SSD for some time now, and I want to expand my storage without just swapping out the original SSD and having to go through the trouble of reinstalling all of my stuff. My motherboard has several M.2 slots, so I have been considering RAID, but haven't used it personally in some time. Is it possible to set RAID up on a system that already has a partitioned SSD? Also, would I need to get an SSD of the same size, or can I use a larger model? I wouldn't want to do anything crazy, just RAID 0 for a straight storage increase.

For reference, my MoBo is a Gigabyte X670E Aorus XTREME, and I am currently using a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus.

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

So, I've been running my system off a 1TB SSD for some time now, and I want to expand my storage without just swapping out the original SSD and having to go through the trouble of reinstalling all of my stuff. My motherboard has several M.2 slots, so I have been considering RAID, but haven't used it personally in some time. Is it possible to set RAID up on a system that already has a partitioned SSD? Also, would I need to get an SSD of the same size, or can I use a larger model? I wouldn't want to do anything crazy, just RAID 0 for a straight storage increase.

For reference, my MoBo is a Gigabyte X670E Aorus XTREME, and I am currently using a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, you are mistaken on several points.

1. You can't just add another drive, and have it be a RAID 0. That would be a total reformat and reinstall of everything.

2. Moving to a newer larger drive can be pretty easy. There are several clone tools to do exactly this. No reinstallation needed.

3. You can add a second drive, and have it used for 'other things'. A game library, all your videos, etc. Many systems have more than one drive. My main system has 6.

 

[SierraArgo]

Unfortunately, you are mistaken on several points.

1. You can't just add another drive, and have it be a RAID 0. That would be a total reformat and reinstall of everything.

2. Moving to a newer larger drive can be pretty easy. There are several clone tools to do exactly this. No reinstallation needed.

3. You can add a second drive, and have it used for 'other things'. A game library, all your videos, etc. Many systems have more than one drive. My main system has 6.

Sounds good. I may go the bigger drive route then. (I have a ton of game mods for older games that don't like being messed with lol) Do you happen to have a recommendation for good cloning software? Ideally, something that is free?

 

[USAFRet]

For cloning, either Macrium Reflect, or Samsung Magician (if the target drive is a Samsung)

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Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
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Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Both drives must be the same partitioning scheme, either MBR or GPT
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Magician (which includes Data Migration), if a Samsung target SSD)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, you may need to install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up

Verify the system boots with ONLY the current "C drive" connected.
If not, we have to fix that first.

Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive

[Ignore this section if using the SDM. It does this automatically]
If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specify the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing
[/end ignore]

Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD. This is not optional.
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD

(swapping cables is irrelevant with NVMe drives, but DO disconnect the old drive for this next part)
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
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