SSD Caching and Raid 0

Not long, but it's a bit unclear. If I understand you correctly,

1) While you do have to set the BIOS to RAID mode to use the cacheing feature, that doesn't mean that you are actually using any RAID volumes. I strongly recommend against building a RAID0 volume; just let the two 1 GB drives be two 1 GB drives.

2) SATA III vs. SATA II will probably matter for the SSD. For the HDDs it will not; no current HDD can transfer above SATA II speeds. Even if the HDD has an SATA III controller, connecting it to an SATA II port will be fine.

3) For your main question, I have no opinion on the choice of the SSD. You can always look at what Tom's thinks on this issue: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-solid-state-nan...

4) Unasked-for advice: If you are going to have 60 GB of SSD, you will get a bigger bang for your buck if you use it as an OS drive. 60 GB is big enough in most cases.

Thanks for you reply and let me answer and possibly follow up with a question (I'm on my phone lol)

1. so your are saying it's definitely possible to run 2 1gb hdd in a rado 0 array for a total of 2 gb. I wanna stick with 1gb drives b/c from what i've seen and heard 2 and 3 gb cost bout the same amount but less reliable. Continuing, so with the hdd on raid 0, I will still be able to add the ssd to the raid array for ssd caching?

2-3. hm I'm going to be using an asus z68 mobo (it has sata 6 ports) and the hdd are sata 6.0. as for the ssd you said it will matter it being a sata 2 or 3. the two ssds are 10 dollars difference. the intel is 20gb sata 2 and said to be much more reliable and built for ssd caching. the patriot pyro is 60gb sata 3. does the space and read and write speeds matter for ssd caching?

4. will i understand that bit it will probably be only used as a boot drive. ive heard you should never fill up an ssd and with ssd caching I heard it will have an overall better impact on the entire build. and looked at benchmarks, the times times werent as good as the ssd along but defniitely a significant boost over just a hdd on it own.

thanks man

(sorry for the typos and grammar fail, like I said I'm on my phone haha)

'Sokay.
1) Yes, it's possible, but I repeat that I wouldn't recommend it.
2-3) don't know; I've never tested caching, let alone large-drive vs. small-drive. See what this has to say about it: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-z68-express-s... .
4) True.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about caching. Intel developed caching for clients and businesses that could not afford a large capacity ssd. Back when the concept was on the drawing board, Intel hoped clients and businesses would purchase a small 10Gb or 20GB for about $100.00. Microsoft Windows 7 and all software applications would remain on hard disk drives. The cache only produced a minor boost in performance. Intel hoped that once clients saw the slight performance boost they might be inclined to purchase a larger ssd.

Intel also researched the size of the cache. Intel determined that a 60GB ssd was the point where it made no sense to use the ssd as a cache for a hard drive. Instead if you have a 60GB ssd, then Windows 7 and software applications should be installed on the ssd to take full advantage of the ssd capabilities.

Since you are thinking of purchasing a 60GB ssd, it makes more sense to install Windows 7 and your software applications on the ssd. The ssd performance boost is much higher than the hard disk drive performance increase.

Windows 7 will use up a just a little over 21GB leaving some room for software applications.

I do not know if you are a gamer but I hope you know that an ssd will not improve actual game play and it will not improve FPS. The only thing that happens is that the game will launch faster and levels, maps, or charts will load faster. If you participate in online gaming, then the ssd will not improve anything. You'll still be at the mercy of your Internet Service Provider.

A few days days ago Tom's Hardware published "SSD Performance In Crysis 2, World Of Warcraft, And Civilization V". It is an analysis of ssd's and gameplay. Here is the link:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-gaming-performa...

I understand. Thanks to both of you, I think I might just go ahead and have the ssd as a boot drive and the have the two hdd at raid 0. I had a buddy of mine tell me raid 4 is the way to go.

I am currently at school, do play games, and I understand that it will not effect actual gameplay. I technically own a business and will be doing quite a lot of engineering work.

I think I'll skip ssd caching, but what do you think bout dropping the ssd and going along with a raid 4 set up?

Best answer selected by KJ67o.

Alright I'll probably go ahead and do that.

Run the ssd as a boot drive, as well as office, and maybe a game or two. (but definitely not fill it up)

Run the two drives at raid 0

And get a 2 or 3 TB Backup External.

Thanks guys!