Can I install OS on RAID0?

[coltonimusprime]

Hi, I'm new to building computers and I'm working on an i7 build. I have a 1TB Caviar Black, and I was thinking about having a separate drive just for the OS and programs, and then I read about RAID0. So I was wondering, would it be a smart idea to have two 74gb Raptors in RAID0 for my OS and programs and use the 1TB for all data and files and such? Or is that a risky idea? Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[rockyjohn]

Most using RAID 0 do so first to put OS on it as first priority. Two Raptors - or the faster Velociraptors would fly in RAID 0 - and maybe be a bit noisy.

On my next build I plan to go with SSD - which I think will be faster and much more efficient - and cetainly whisper quiet since there are no moving parts.

Please see my other post today about SSD - it is the second post on this thread

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/252511-32-boot-disk-opinions-please

You might like to communicate on his thread since he is in a similar position - although as an update rather than a new build but is considering SSD v RAID.

 

[coltonimusprime]

So you're saying that one SSD for my os and apps would be faster than two raptors on raid0? The price is definitely an issue for me, I don't know if I could fit an extra 300 into my budget at this point. But what about the writing speed of SSD?

 

[rockyjohn]

This review presents the best information I know of about SSD vs, other drives.
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531&p=1

This THG review from May 2008 has some interesting and perhaps helpful data – although it does not include the Intel SSD which beats the others hands down – and even the others have improved substantially since then. Also the prices are way out of date.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-memoright,1926.html

See also these two forum threads
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/272019-31-build
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/251043-32-raptor

Beyond that you can try to compare performance on the THG hard drive charts, but HDs, HDs in RAID, and SSD drives are on separate charts.