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Dual RAID 0 Setup + Backup Questions

Tags:
  • NAS / RAID
  • Storage
  • Backup
  • Hard Drives
Last response: in Storage
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September 26, 2014 7:53:04 PM

I got my first job at a local computer repair shop a couple weeks ago, and ever since then, all I've wanted to do is upgrade my PC. People come in and out, and a couple people suggested this type of setup for my desktop.

2x 128GB SSD in RAID 0 (for the OS & Program Files)
2x 2TB HDD in RAID 0 (for documents, videos, games, etc.)
1x 4TB HDD (as a backup)

Does anyone have any experience with this or think it's a good idea? Currently I have a 256GB Samsung SSD & 4TB Seagate internal HDD. I also have a 3TB Western Digital that I really don't use. I was using it to backup some Xbox 360 files and other random files, but nothing mirrored. What I would likely do is just buy another 256GB Samsung SSD for $170 (http://goo.gl/trO9AW) and a couple 2TB Seagates for another $160 (http://goo.gl/ivmF46). Or should I buy a couple 128GB SSD and RAID 0 those and use the SSD I currently have as a backup for the OS & Program Files? I guess I have some options, so any information at all is appreciated.

For the record, I use my PC primarily for heavy gaming (l have an Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970, and occasionally play Borderlands 2 across three monitors with no issues), Photoshop, Sony Vegas, and then also do the basics like Word, Excel, web browsing, (light tasks) etc. Would I see any benefits to gaming (all of which are currently installed on my 4TB drive) or video rendering (which I do on the SSD)?

Seriously, any advice or input on any of this at all is appreciated. Thanks to everyone in advance!

More about : dual raid setup backup questions

a c 921 G Storage
September 26, 2014 8:17:13 PM

Quote:
Does anyone have any experience with this or think it's a good idea?

That is sooo not a good idea, outside of research and a hobby.

1. RAID 0 + SSD gives no performance benefit.
It does, however, bring quite a bit of fail increase

Your current 256GB SSD is just as fast as 2 x 128GB SSD in RAID 0.

2. RAID 0 + HDD for docs/videos, etc gives no real benefit. Those files don't need to be on a fast drive or system.
See above for the fail bit.

What you might do is get another SSD, and install a game or two on it.
Using an SSD for backup is just a waste of an SSD.
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September 26, 2014 8:40:19 PM

I would recommend Dual 256GB SSD in Raid 0, while the speed increase is minimal the storage increase is great. Some games do not like being stored on drives other then the main OS drive, so 512GB should be a healthy amount, just remember that Raid 0 has no redundancy so if one drive fails you loose all the date on that drive.

As far as a Storage drive just buy 2 matching drives that you know work good with Raids (like a WD Red) and set it up for Raid 1
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a c 921 G Storage
September 26, 2014 8:45:33 PM

ToxicBanana said:
I would recommend Dual 256GB SSD in Raid 0, while the speed increase is minimal the storage increase is great. Some games do not like being stored on drives other then the main OS drive, so 512GB should be a healthy amount, just remember that Raid 0 has no redundancy so if one drive fails you loose all the date on that drive.

As far as a Storage drive just buy 2 matching drives that you know work good with Raids (like a WD Red) and set it up for Raid 1


Just adding a second SSD increases the storage space exactly the same. And does not bring the potential RAID 0 fail.
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September 26, 2014 8:51:39 PM

USAFRet said:
ToxicBanana said:
I would recommend Dual 256GB SSD in Raid 0, while the speed increase is minimal the storage increase is great. Some games do not like being stored on drives other then the main OS drive, so 512GB should be a healthy amount, just remember that Raid 0 has no redundancy so if one drive fails you loose all the date on that drive.

As far as a Storage drive just buy 2 matching drives that you know work good with Raids (like a WD Red) and set it up for Raid 1


Just adding a second SSD increases the storage space exactly the same. And does not bring the potential RAID 0 fail.


Yes, but having a 512GB drive is way more practical then a (2) 256GB ones, obviously (1) 512GB is the best choice but because he already owns a 256GB drive it would be a much cheaper option to add a 256GB.
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a c 921 G Storage
September 26, 2014 9:01:02 PM

ToxicBanana said:


Yes, but having a 512GB drive is way more practical then a (2) 256GB ones, obviously (1) 512GB is the best choice but because he already owns a 256GB drive it would be a much cheaper option to add a 256GB.


'way more practical', until the raid0 array dies and you lose the whole thing.

Name a game or application that needs more than 256GB space to install to.
Very few are the current consumer grade games or applications that cannot be installed on a different drive letter.

Obvious is not always 'obvious'.
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September 26, 2014 9:16:25 PM

USAFRet said:
ToxicBanana said:


Yes, but having a 512GB drive is way more practical then a (2) 256GB ones, obviously (1) 512GB is the best choice but because he already owns a 256GB drive it would be a much cheaper option to add a 256GB.


'way more practical', until the raid0 array dies and you lose the whole thing.

Name a game or application that needs more than 256GB space to install to.
Very few are the current consumer grade games or applications that cannot be installed on a different drive letter.

Obvious is not always 'obvious'.


Its true that very few games have the issue, but when it occurs its incredibly frustrating because there is no clear error saying that's the cause.

Also, of course the is no mainstream game/software that needs more then 256GB that's stupid and so is that argument, the point is having 512GB is a good balance point to have enough for all of ones software on one drive, if all your putting on that drive it is the OS and Software im sure 99% of which can be downloaded from the internet again if lost then if a failure would occur it would be annoying for sure but note one of total loss.
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Best solution

a c 921 G Storage
September 26, 2014 9:22:54 PM

@ToxicBanana Opinions on drive allocation differ. Yours differ from mine.

@MakingTrevenue Read and come to your own conclusions.
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September 26, 2014 9:26:59 PM

USAFRet said:
@ToxicBanana Opinions on drive allocation differ. Yours differ from mine.

@MakingTrevenue Read and come to your own conclusions.


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