Which Harddrives for my build for Video Editing?

[JoeSmyle]

Hi,

My first computer build, and with quite a bit of research already, I've come up with the following components to purchase (have only bought the tower, so far). My specific questions center around which harddrive configuration I should use for video editing in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5).

CPU: Intel Core i7 950; MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R (rev. 2); GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX470 Superclocked; PSU: Corsair Professional Series Gold High Performance 850-Watt; Optical#1:Lite-On LightScribe IHAS424-98; Optical#2: Model: GGW-H20L LG Blu-ray Disc Burner; OS: Windows 7 Pro, 64bit; RAM:CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMP12GX3M3A1600C9.



So now, my final issue is giving attention to my harddrive setup, and I've never worked with RAID before. I'm leaning toward RAID 0, however, even though I know the risk of losing data should one drive fail.

The MOBO supports RAID, no problem. Video editing generally requires the OS on one harddrive and video files on a 2nd internal harddrive. That's the way it was in the past anyway. Here's what I'm thinking regarding my new build:

OS = (2 in RAID 0) Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal

VIDEO FILES: Exactly the same.

So, that setup requires 4 each WD1600AAJS's in 2 each RAID 0's

(1) Does my MOBO support that? I mean, if I set up one RAID 0 for the OS, can I set up a second RAID 0 on my video-files drives--or is only one RAID 0 allowed?

Thank you very much for your very appreciated help! P.S. I have plenty of external storage once each video project is complete, so no problem there.

--Ken

 

[buwish]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Systems by Buwish

 

[banthracis]

Don't bother doing it that way.

Best idea would be to get a SSD to use as a boot disk/scratchdisk and then a large mechanical drive to use for storage. If you're concerned about data safety you can just have an external backup drive that you run a daily backup of files too. Much safer than RAID since only thing raid protects is HD failure. Backup protects from all the rest, IE virus, accidental deletion, etc.

 

[JoeSmyle]

Don't bother doing it that way. Best idea would be to get a SSD to use as a boot disk/scratchdisk and then a large mechanical drive to use for storage....

Dear BANTHRACIS,

Thank you for your reply. I've been doing some more studying on the subject, and I see your point that it's best to have the OS and Scratchdisks on the fastest drives in the system.

If, however, the OS, program files for CS5, and Scratchdisks are all on a single SSD, wouldn't that create a bottleneck? Versus, let's say, having the OS and program files on one SSD and the Scratcdisks on a second SSD?

As a result of your post and the additional research I've done, I have decided that I need to spend the extra money and have AT LEAST one SSD. I'm considering the:
Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $264.99.

If, indeed, a configuration with only one SSD for the OS, program files, and Scratchdisks would create a bottleneck, I'll have to look at my budget to see if I can swing a second SSD. If my budget won't allow it now, I can always look to upgrade in the future.

And your suggestion of backing up the files is well taken.

Thank you,
--Joe

 

[JoeSmyle]

Best answer selected by JoeSmyle.

 

[banthracis]

SSD's by nature are different the HD's in that they are limited by pure bandwidth, unlike magnetic drives which are also limited by mechanical header read and move speeds. Therefor, as long as you get a good SSd, such as Sandforce or Intel, you won't have any issues using 1 ssd as a scratch drive + OS + programs files.

In fact, the new sandforce drives with read/write speeds ~500mb/s would effectively make the bottleneck not I/O or transfer speeds, but how quickly your software can create the files.

 

[Phil Whickham]

I would avoid the whole issue and buy a SolidBox. Those guys have their setups dialed in without the guesswork of "will my mishmash workstation actually work?" First, you talk to an actual person about your budget and how you'll be using the computer and they point you in the right direction. I couldn't be happier with my Broadcast Series. I think they might be in Texas, which is a downer (go Giants!), but other than that...you get the idea.