Harddrive and SSD RAID questions

_Epix_ · Jul 1, 2014

Hi, im building a new pc and I plan to get the Asus Crosshair V Formula Z, without 'R' in the motherboard term thing, (SGLF). Do I need the R on the motherboard to RAID?

Thanks

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

No, all you need is a RAID card and 2 or more drives.

_Epix_ · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

(im a noob at this) Raid card?

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

_Epix_ :

http://www.newegg.com/Controllers-RAID-Cards/SubCategory/ID-410 Get a good one for your high end system

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

If you are considering putting an SSD and an HDD in a RAID array (of any type), do not do this.

At all, ever.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

It is useful for RAID 1 if you have files that you need to always have.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

No it is not.
A RAID 1 array is the size of the smallest drive, and the same speed as the slowest drive in the array.
So if you have a 256GB SSD and a 2TB HDD in the RAID 1 array....guess what? You have a 256GB 'RAID 1', that operates at the speed of the HDD.

A RAID 1 is beneficial in a system that needs to be 'always on'. A webstore, perhaps. Downtime = lost sales.
But it needs to be properly configured. Equal size and performance drives. And knowing before you start, that if one drive dies, the rebuilding process is slooooow, but the system will limp on. Generating sales.
And any semi-competent business that has their system running in a RAID array, be it the public facing part or the db backend, also has a reliable backup.

For a home use? There is very little need to use a RAID 1, apart from a hobby or personal experience use.
Far easier to simply set up a scheduled backup of critical files (NOT the OS and applications) to one or more separate locations.

And again....an SSD and HDD in the same RAID array is simply a bad idea, and will run far worse.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

Andrew Buck :

No it is not.
A RAID 1 array is the size of the smallest drive, and the same speed as the slowest drive in the array.
So if you have a 256GB SSD and a 2TB HDD in the RAID 1 array....guess what? You have a 256GB 'RAID 1', that operates at the speed of the HDD.

A RAID 1 is beneficial in a system that needs to be 'always on'. A webstore, perhaps. Downtime = lost sales.
But it needs to be properly configured. Equal size and performance drives. And knowing before you start, that if one drive dies, the rebuilding process is slooooow, but the system will limp on. Generating sales.
And any semi-competent business that has their system running in a RAID array, be it the public facing part or the db backend, also has a reliable backup.

For a home use? There is very little need to use a RAID 1, apart from a hobby or personal experience use.
Far easier to simply set up a scheduled backup of critical files (NOT the OS and applications) to one or more separate locations.

And again....an SSD and HDD in the same RAID array is simply a bad idea, and will run far worse.

Talking about 2 identical drives, like 2 WD Black 1 TB 7200 RPMs in RAID 1 or 0. (1 is probably best)

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

I have 'files' that I always need to have. Just like everyone else.

I have a couple of applications that, on schedule, copy those files to other drives and locations. No RAID needed.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

And the OP started off with "Harddrive and SSD RAID questions "

Unknown as to exactly what he wants to do.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

Sorry, didn't think about that, lol. Do what USAF is saying. RAID 0 or 1 aren't worth it. (RAID 0 COULD be, but if one drive goes, they all do, and RAID 0 is problematic with drives so different most of the time)

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

RAID 0 and RAID 1 are two completely different concepts.
RAID 1, mirroring, is 2 drives with exactly the same data. Easily done via other means.

RAID 0 is striped. Data spread across 2 drives. With HDD's, it is faster. But not as fast as an SSD, so there isn't a lot of point to it with todays builds.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

I know how it works. Raid 0 is alternating bits writing to each drive, so 10011001 would be written as this:

DRIVE 1 - 1st 1, second 0, 3rd 1, 4th 0 DRIVE 2 - first 0, second 1, third 0, and forth 1 (didn't realize I made it work that way.) This increases performance by writing and reading to/from both drives at the same time.

With Raid 1, it is like this: 10011001

DRIVE 1 - 10011001 DRIVE 2 - 10011001

So both drives get written to. Therefore, if one drive goes down, you would still have all of your data.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

Yes. But apart from a system that really needs to be up and running all the time (something that generates income) why bother?
In the event of one or more drives crashing here, I'd wager I can the full system back up and running before a RAID 1 array limped along and rebuilt itself.

I always have all *my* data. Anything personal exists on at least 3 drives, in different machines. The OS and applications? I don't care. Can reinstall quite easily.

Also, it is not a 'backup'. Data is mirrored across 2 or more drives. This also means accidental file deletions, corruption, viruses...also mirrored across 2 or more drives.

If you accidentally delete you wedding pics folder in a RAID 1 array, it is simply deleted twice.
Oops.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

Andrew Buck :

Yes. But apart from a system that really needs to be up and running all the time (something that generates income) why bother?
In the event of one or more drives crashing here, I'd wager I can the full system back up and running before a RAID 1 array limped along and rebuilt itself.

I always have all *my* data. Anything personal exists on at least 3 drives, in different machines. The OS and applications? I don't care. Can reinstall quite easily.

Also, it is not a 'backup'. Data is mirrored across 2 or more drives. This also means accidental file deletions, corruption, viruses...also mirrored across 2 or more drives.

If you accidentally delete you wedding pics folder in a RAID 1 array, it is simply deleted twice.
Oops.

I never said backups are not a good idea, they are, but they are a hassle.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

Right.
But too many people glom on to the concept of RAID as backup. It only helps in the case of a specific drive fail, not the 18 other ways you can lose your stuff.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

It still is a good way, may be very expensive. Not good for his case though, but pretty good in general.

_Epix_ · Jul 1, 2014

Firstly, sorry for the late replies and lack of info, im planning to RAID0 the HDD and after reading the posts, maybe not gonna RAID0 the SSD. Opinions?

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

_Epix_ :

You can't RAID0 JUST the HDD, you need another one to go with it.

_Epix_ · Jul 1, 2014

Andrew Buck :

Again, im bad at this, but you need two identical ones, or can be different size?

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

_Epix_ :

Better to be identical because if they have identical Read/Write, then it would avoid corruption and errors. You wouldn't see too much of an improvement and you would be vulnerable if one drive failed, it would help a little bit.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Unless you have a real need for a particular RAID situation, there is no need for it.

It is physically possible to RAID drives of different sizes and capabilities, but you will end up with far worse performance.

_Epix_ · Jul 1, 2014

USAFRet :

Thought that it will speed things up if I RAIDed. Not really needed to do anything else though.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

_Epix_ :

In Synthetic benchmarks, it will, but not generally much in everyday use,

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

_Epix_ :

RAID 0 with 2 HDDs is faster than one HDD. Slower than a single SSD.
RAID 0 with 2 SSDs, in real world ops, is no faster than a single SSD.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-raid-benchmark,3485.html

RAID 0 with an SSD and an HDD is merely a bad idea.

Harddrive and SSD RAID questions

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