Should I build a PC in RAID 1 with 3 drives?

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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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Hello Everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum, so I'm a little unsure as to how this will all go.

My question is:-

Should I build a PC in RAID 1 with 3 drives? Allow me to elaborate. I'm planning of building my dream PC, no funds to make it happen as of yet though. I got the idea of having a SSD & HDD setup for OS & Storage.

I then got the idea of buying 3 Seagate 3.5" Barracuda 4TB drives for a RAID setup. 2 of the drives will be used for RAID 1, and the 3rd drive will be used as a backup drive for the RAID.

For the SSD backup I plan to make images of the SSD, and put it on a 2TB drive I currently have. Same thing for the RAID backup. I plan to make an image backup of the RAID onto the 3rd drive.

I was wondering if this is a good idea, or a waste of money? As I live in Australia and these drives are around $170-180 AU each!

Note: This is my idea of having a actual backup plan, as I've never had one or considered one before.

Thank you in advanced. :wahoo:

 
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FireWire2

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Oct 30, 2006
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You can achieve what you want, by doing this...
SSD - as OS drive
2x HDD as RAID 1 - using one of this https://www.amazon.com/SATA-Dual-Controller-Direct-Attached/dp/B00UXSSZ1U or
http://www.datoptic.com/ec/retain-data-raid-mirror-dual-sata-iii-6gb-s-raid-controller-direct-attached-driver-less-html.html

When ever you need to get a backup just swap ONE HDD out, the removed is your back up! Simple

You can rotate the HDD as how ever you see fit.
With me no waiting hrs of copying/backing, that is a plus, and let the raid it re-image in its own time
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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The first maxim of RAID 1:
RAID 1 is not a backup.

Basically, it serves one and only one purpose. To provide continuous operation in case of a drive fail.
It does not save against the things you really want it to work for. Accidental deletions, file corruption, virus, etc, etc.
 
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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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Hello, So you are saying that having 2 drives in RAID 1 is better than having an 3 drives with the 3rd drive being a direct disk image of either drive from the RAID?

And just by removing 1 drive from the RAID. That drive becomes my backup, when I need to restore data?

I understand that RAID 1 is not a backup. That's why I was thinking of having a RAID 1 fail safe incase a HDD fails, as well as an image backup of the RAID on a separate 3rd drive, so I can restore this image to the RAID if need be.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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If you need actual 24/7 access, sure.
If you can withstand the 45 minutes needed to put in a new drive and resurrect from your backup, a RAID 1 is totally not needed.
 
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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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Basically the idea was using RAID 1 for a live backup type thing. Where when data changes on one drive it is mirrored to the other, being a fail safe if either drive fails. The 3rd drive containing the image, is an archive image backup of the mirrored array to protect my data against accidental deletion and viruses etc.
 
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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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Well it would be more than 45 minutes for me. Cause if the drive failed then I'd have to go an buy a brand new HDD. In order to restore my image from the archived backup.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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But if you were rocking a RAID 1, you already have the other drive...:)

Whatever....I don't personally see the need for a RAID 1, unless you actually need 24/7 ops. As in you are running a webstore, and a dead drive = downtime and lost sales.
 
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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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In other words yes. I would need access to my data all the time, since apart from games and my programs and OS. That is where all of my favorite media will be located.

Downtime means less enjoyment, from my media. I stream media a lot so yeah. :)
 
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MeanMachine41

MeanMachine41

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May 8, 2014
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I have found it much better to back up my system to my WD passport rather than Raid. I backup in less than 10mins. Although not Automatic it is simple and easy and saves the expense of another drive dedicated to your proposed raid setup.
With auto backups and you contract a virus then that would be backed up to I believe, although I've never been in that position. Its all about security for me anyhow.
I have in the past had Raid in differing configurations and they all have their quirks. Raid 0 is certainly one I would not recommend even with the slight improvement in performance as there is no security and if one disk goes down then your stuffed. Raid 5 is the best for 3 drives if your going to raid.
Never was more truth on the subject spoken, go here: http://www.petemarovichimages.com/2013/11/24/never-use-a-raid-as-your-backup-system/
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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I think you overestimate the potential death of a hard drive a bit too much.
But whatever...
 
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Yoshi1007

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Jun 23, 2016
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Well I just wanted to be prepared that's all. As I never bothered to backup in the first place. Guess I'll just skip the RAID 1 idea. And just image the first drive onto the second one. Thanks for all your advice! :)
 
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