What is the best RAID option for me?

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JakeReindl

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Feb 14, 2016
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I am assembling a HTPC, and currently have one 4GB WD Red that I am going to use. Later on, as it fills, I would like to add more reds.

Two things.

1. I don't want to format if I go from 1 drive to more if I can help it, and I definitely don't want to format as I add more than that.

2. I may not want to add 4TB each time, I may want to add 6TB drives.

So which RAID should I be studying up on?

Also, data loss doesn't bother me that much. It's not irreplaceable media, but if it doesn't have a significant impact on storage or drive performance, I wouldn't mind having a fallback if a drive fails.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
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Spectre694


If that is all you want then Windows Storage spaces single mode fits the bill exactly no redundancy or performance increases just combines all drives you add into one.
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jsmithepa

jsmithepa

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Jun 14, 2014
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I can only answer 1. What do you mean you don't want to format? The very least you MUST do is to QUICK FORMAT which takes a minute, if you are complaining about the time it takes, but building a RAID, the BUILDING process takes time because files needs to be replicated.
 
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JakeReindl

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Feb 14, 2016
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My current 4TB drive has much data on it. If I need to remove it to get started, I can relocate it, build the raid, then put it back on. But moving forward, if I go from, say, 2 drives to 3, I do not want my data to be erased as it adds another drive. So I am looking for a "build as you go" raid option if there is one.
 
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Spectre694

Spectre694

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Feb 28, 2014
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I'm not sure you understand how RAID works (unless you're using btrfs on linux special case) you can't just add drives to a raid array nor will it use all the space with uneven drives. The number of disks in the array is set when you create the array. The size can be changed but only by replacing every drive with a larger one.

The only "build as you go" options are storage spaces on windows (8 or 10) and btrfs on linux.

You would need to use the mirrored option on storage spaces (lose half the space) parity option is limited to 20MB write speed you could use single mode though that would not help you if any drive failed. Your also not really going to gain any performance either
 
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Spectre694

Spectre694

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Feb 28, 2014
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You can just plug new ones in and use them no problem. RAID/storage systems have specific redundancy and performance goals. USAFRet is asking what yours are to see if RAID or a storage system is even what you need.
 
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Spectre694

Spectre694

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Feb 28, 2014
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If that is all you want then Windows Storage spaces single mode fits the bill exactly no redundancy or performance increases just combines all drives you add into one.
 
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