How best to set up my system with SSD's and 2TB HDD

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
futbar

futbar

Reputable
Jun 1, 2015
62
0
4,630
I have a new system with 2 SSDs (32GB & 120GB) and 2 x 1TB Seagate Barracuda HDDs.

Full Spec:

MSI 990FXA Gaming MOBO
AMD FX8350 Processor
8GB Kingston Fury 1866 RAM
MSI R9 380 Gaming Graphics Card
2x SSDs (32GB & 120GB)
2x 1TB Seagate Barracuda HDDs.
EVGA 650W PSU

My question is how to set it up, I was thinking drive caching might be a good idea using the 120GB SSD to install windows to and using the 32gb as a cache in a raid with the 2 barracudas.

Problem is I have no idea how to do this and have never used raid before. I know you can raid cach on Intel systems but can you even do it on an AMD one?

Thanks in advance


Andy
 
Solution
USAFRet
A 'cache' is mostly a temp storage place for frequently accessed files.
A RAID 0 is striped across 2 or more drives.

Yes, you can use a small SSD for a cache file in front of a RAID 0.
However....that is pretty much useless on both counts.

With a RAID 0, your movie or music playlist does not play any faster.
All it gains you is a single drive letter for the 2 drives. And introduces multiple fail points.

And a RAID 0 with 2 x 1TB HDD's is NOT as fast as a 1TB SSD. No matter how you set it up.
Especially for a drive used for movies and gaming.
Sort by date Sort by votes
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,441
17,907
184,590
120GB SSD - OS and applications
1TB HDD #1 - Doc/music/video
1TB HDD #2 - games and or backups
32GB SSD - Depends on what you use the system for


You're a bit off on the RAID and/or cache concept.
One has nothing to do with the other.

-RAID 0 is striped across 2 or more drives. Provides faster speed, but increases the fail potential
-RAID 1 is a mirror across 2 or more drives. Provides redundancy, but is not a real 'backup. 2 x 1TB drives in a RAID 1 = 1TB actual space
-cache is merely a parking space for frequently accessed data. In RAM or a faster drive (SSD), it makes accessing that data 'faster'.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
futbar

futbar

Reputable
Jun 1, 2015
62
0
4,630
OK so i cant' do raid o with the 32gb as the cache?

The system is used mainly for watching downloaded films, bench testing and gaming.

I originally had it set using the 32gb ssd for the windows instalation and a 1TB drive to install programs to, however i found this messy and don't like having the program files on a seperate drive towindows 10. I readsomewhere that drive caching was where you put the 2TB drives into raid 0 and somehow used the ssd as a cache, giving you almost identical speeds to a 2tb SSD. Is this not possible with AMD?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,441
17,907
184,590
A 'cache' is mostly a temp storage place for frequently accessed files.
A RAID 0 is striped across 2 or more drives.

Yes, you can use a small SSD for a cache file in front of a RAID 0.
However....that is pretty much useless on both counts.

With a RAID 0, your movie or music playlist does not play any faster.
All it gains you is a single drive letter for the 2 drives. And introduces multiple fail points.

And a RAID 0 with 2 x 1TB HDD's is NOT as fast as a 1TB SSD. No matter how you set it up.
Especially for a drive used for movies and gaming.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom