Hi guys
Firstly, I can sense this being a long post so apologies there. I'll try and keep things as concise as possible.
I'm looking to build a new computer in the next couple of weeks and have been having some trouble deciding on what to do in terms of HDDs. I've had a good search of the net and haven't quite find the answers I need, then stumbled across this forum and been reading through a load of threads on RAID configurations and whether they are worth it or not. Have to say, I'm quite confused now about what is best for my build so would be grateful for some input from you lot since you seem to know what you're on about!
Bit of background to the build - It'll be a new desktop build to replace my creaky old machine. Planning on installing both XP32 and Vista64 with XP being used solely for music production and Vista for gaming, photo and (some) video editing and general office use. For the music, fast and fairly large drives are needed owing to the streaming of multiple large wav files. Overall noise of the system needs to be kept to a mimimum but some noise can be tolerated as I'm no a pro or anything!
I think I have three options available which each generate their own questions with the overriding question of which will give best performance and security:
Option 1
Mobo: Asus P5K-C (4 Sata, RAID 0 and 1)
HDD1: WD Raptor 150GB
HDD2, 3 and 4: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: Partition the Raptor and install XP and Vista onto each partition. RAID0 HDD 2 and 3 and use as scratch drives for music etc. No data to be stored long-term on these drives. HDD 4 for data storage (photos, MP3s etc) with external backups.
Option 2
Mobo: Asus P5K-E (6 Sata, RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10)
HDD 1-5: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: RAID0 Drives 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 leaving 5th drive as a standalone. Install XP onto one pair and Vista onto 2nd pair. Use 5th for data storage. Partition Vista RAID array and use blank partition as scratch drive for XP music.
Option 3
Mobo: Asus P5K-E (6 Sata, RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10)
HDD1 to 5: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: RAID5 drives 1, 2 & 3 and RAID0 drives 4 & 5. Partition RAID5 drives and install XP on one partition and Vista on other partition. Data to be stored on this drive as the redundancy in array to offer protection and maintain external backup. RAID0 array to use as scratch drive with no need for protection as no data stored.
Clearly Option 3 will be more expensive but I think this is my preferred choice based on what I think the drives should be capable of. Main issues that I have been unable to find conclusive answers on are:
1) Is it possible to create both a RAID5 and RAID0 configuration using the oboard RAID (JMicron® JMB363 PATA and SATA controller)
2) Is it possible to create the RAID5 and then partition this drive maintaing the array but being able to install XP and Vista on the same physical drives?
3) Is it even possible to create 2 pairs of RAID0 drives using the onboard RAID?
Any thoughts on how people think these setups would work, or even alternative configurations.
Thanks in advance!
Firstly, I can sense this being a long post so apologies there. I'll try and keep things as concise as possible.
I'm looking to build a new computer in the next couple of weeks and have been having some trouble deciding on what to do in terms of HDDs. I've had a good search of the net and haven't quite find the answers I need, then stumbled across this forum and been reading through a load of threads on RAID configurations and whether they are worth it or not. Have to say, I'm quite confused now about what is best for my build so would be grateful for some input from you lot since you seem to know what you're on about!
Bit of background to the build - It'll be a new desktop build to replace my creaky old machine. Planning on installing both XP32 and Vista64 with XP being used solely for music production and Vista for gaming, photo and (some) video editing and general office use. For the music, fast and fairly large drives are needed owing to the streaming of multiple large wav files. Overall noise of the system needs to be kept to a mimimum but some noise can be tolerated as I'm no a pro or anything!
I think I have three options available which each generate their own questions with the overriding question of which will give best performance and security:
Option 1
Mobo: Asus P5K-C (4 Sata, RAID 0 and 1)
HDD1: WD Raptor 150GB
HDD2, 3 and 4: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: Partition the Raptor and install XP and Vista onto each partition. RAID0 HDD 2 and 3 and use as scratch drives for music etc. No data to be stored long-term on these drives. HDD 4 for data storage (photos, MP3s etc) with external backups.
Option 2
Mobo: Asus P5K-E (6 Sata, RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10)
HDD 1-5: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: RAID0 Drives 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 leaving 5th drive as a standalone. Install XP onto one pair and Vista onto 2nd pair. Use 5th for data storage. Partition Vista RAID array and use blank partition as scratch drive for XP music.
Option 3
Mobo: Asus P5K-E (6 Sata, RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10)
HDD1 to 5: WD Caviar 250GB SE16
Solution: RAID5 drives 1, 2 & 3 and RAID0 drives 4 & 5. Partition RAID5 drives and install XP on one partition and Vista on other partition. Data to be stored on this drive as the redundancy in array to offer protection and maintain external backup. RAID0 array to use as scratch drive with no need for protection as no data stored.
Clearly Option 3 will be more expensive but I think this is my preferred choice based on what I think the drives should be capable of. Main issues that I have been unable to find conclusive answers on are:
1) Is it possible to create both a RAID5 and RAID0 configuration using the oboard RAID (JMicron® JMB363 PATA and SATA controller)
2) Is it possible to create the RAID5 and then partition this drive maintaing the array but being able to install XP and Vista on the same physical drives?
3) Is it even possible to create 2 pairs of RAID0 drives using the onboard RAID?
Any thoughts on how people think these setups would work, or even alternative configurations.
Thanks in advance!