[SOLVED] RAID 0 with dissimilar SSDs?

[1405]

I have 3 x small SSDs I'd like to use in a RAID 0 configuration. The issue is... the SSDs are different makes, models, and sizes.: 240GB, 120GB, 120GB. Will this still work?
Last time I built a RAID was with 2 x identical HDDs. So, it's been awhile.

 

[kerberos_20]

yes you can do 3x 120GB

 

[USAFRet]

I have 3 x small SSDs I'd like to use in a RAID 0 configuration. The issue is... the SSDs are different makes, models, and sizes.: 240GB, 120GB, 120GB. Will this still work?
Last time I built a RAID was with 2 x identical HDDs. So, it's been awhile.

240+120+120 + RAID 0 = 360GB RAID 0 array.

But....WHY o WHY would you do this?
What do you hope to gain from this RAID thing?

RAID 0 + any SSD type is a total waste of resources.

 

[1405]

240+120+120 + RAID 0 = 360GB RAID 0 array.

But....WHY o WHY would you do this?
What do you hope to gain from this RAID thing?

RAID 0 + any SSD type is a total waste of resources.

Yeah, I forgot about the size issue. So... I just found a 3rd 120GB SSD I can use instead. That makes more sense.
I have a lot of left-over, small SSDs from the early years and a few older PCs that I take care of that can use the HDD to SSD upgrade. If I the OS sees the RAID drive as a single 360GB disk, I can clone the old HDD to the SDD.

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah, I forgot about the size issue. So... I just found a 3rd 120GB SSD I can use instead. That makes more sense.
I have a lot of left-over, small SSDs from the early years and a few older PCs that I take care of that can use the HDD to SSD upgrade. If I the OS sees the RAID drive as a single 360GB disk, I can clone the old HDD to the SDD.

RAID 0 + SSD = Total waste of time and resources.
You gain nothing beyond complexity and fail potential.

Cloning?
How much space is consumed on the old HDD you wish to clone from?

If under 200GB, just clone that to the 240GB drive.
Use the other drives as individuals.

Seriously...RAID 0 is a bad idea.

 

[1405]

What's bad about it? If 3 (or more) useless little SSDs can become one large useful SSD w/o any expense on my part, I call that a win. Sata headers, cables, etc. aren't an issue. Is there something inherently bad about RAID itself that I'm missing?
Years ago I used it to make a couple small HDDs into a larger HDD with no issues.

 

[hang-the-9]

What's bad about it? If 3 (or more) useless little SSDs can become one large useful SSD w/o any expense on my part, I call that a win. Sata headers, cables, etc. aren't an issue. Is there something inherently bad about RAID itself that I'm missing?
Years ago I used it to make a couple small HDDs into a larger HDD with no issues.

Any single drive fails, you loose all data. If you don't care about that, then it does not really matter if you want to set it up that way.

 

[Maxxify]

You can do a RAID, or you can do a pool. One option is something with parity like RAID-5. I personally use my two old 120GB SSDs in a storage space with two 1TB HDDs in a two-column, two-zone array, such that incoming small writes are cached in SSD and the data ends up in SSD or HDD zone based on a heat map. Plenty of other options.

 

[1405]

Any single drive fails, you loose all data. If you don't care about that, then it does not really matter if you want to set it up that way.

Good point. Thanks. I usually have monthly (at least) images made of all my PCs. Plus, most vital data is off-loaded my NAS anyway. And it backs itself up to a USB disk. But still, something more to weight.
I guess I'm just cheap and hate to see parts go to waste just sitting on the shelf.

@ Maxxify: I'll look into that and see if that is something for me.

 

[USAFRet]

Good point. I usually have monthly (at least) images made of all my PCs. But something to weight. Plus, most important data is stored on my NAS.
I guess I'm just cheap and hate to see parts go to waste just sitting on the shelf.

Multiple drives is no problem.

The only real 'benefit' with a RAID 0 is having them under one Volume and drive letter.

But Windows and applications have gotten really good at managing multiple drives.

My current Win 11 system has 6 SSDs, no RAID 0 in sight.

 

[Maxxify]

@ Maxxify: I'll look into that and see if that is something for me.

The commands I used for that are here - the best options for Storage Spaces require PowerShell. Some adjustment might be necessary with the sizes, but this was for 2x120GB + 2x1TB as mentioned above. By using 2 columns you basically have RAID-0 but the pool can write to both the SSD and HDD zones independently - this is useful since sequential writes are not too slow for HDDs. No redundancy, I use this as a kind of temporary space. I actually did have three matching 120GB SSDs and as I stated, RAID-5 is a reasonable option there. FYI the SSDs are external (USB) as well to save SATA ports. Doesn't matter, you can combine storage of all types, which is why I said you have lots of options.