Purchase Decision: 8400 vs XPS Gen 3

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Based on the technical specs, it seems to me that the main difference
between a model 8400 and an XPS Gen 3 is the power supply. The 8400 has
a 350 watt power supply while the XPS has a 460 watt ps.

The specs for the XPS on Dell's web site go to great lengths to tout the
benefits of an isolated power supply and multiple fans for the XPS. The
specs for the 8400 are silent about fans.

There are other minor differences, 2 vs 3 internal drive bays, 2 vs 3
external drive bays. (XPS has 3 of each.)

Is 350 watts adequate? I looked into building my own computer, and one
piece of consistent advice was to get a 400 watt ps or higher.

What about noise? Perhaps more fans, each moving less air, are quieter.
Then again, maybe not.

Any comments about these or other differences between a 8400 and a
similarly equipped XPS?

Thanks,

Rod

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thank God Dell has a mall kiosk here in the Tri-County Mall in
Cincinnati so you can actually go and handle the boxes.

The 8400 is great if you are pretty much 100% sure you are never going
to make any major mods. It is, I guess you would call it a
"mid-tower" and is pretty compact.

The XPS is a "real" case -- or at least as real as you are going to
get with all the styling and the neon lights and all that BS.

It has lots and lots of empty PCI slots and at least two empty front
slots depending on how you configure the machine.

The XPS also has a 3.5" floppy drive.

The XPS is targeted at the "gamer" market but would be the only
machine I would probably go for.

Ax


"J. Rodney Grisham" <Rod.Grisham@RevexTechnologies.com> wrote in message news:<ck0q6e$11r@library2.airnews.net>...
> Based on the technical specs, it seems to me that the main difference
> between a model 8400 and an XPS Gen 3 is the power supply. The 8400 has
> a 350 watt power supply while the XPS has a 460 watt ps.
>
> The specs for the XPS on Dell's web site go to great lengths to tout the
> benefits of an isolated power supply and multiple fans for the XPS. The
> specs for the 8400 are silent about fans.
>
> There are other minor differences, 2 vs 3 internal drive bays, 2 vs 3
> external drive bays. (XPS has 3 of each.)
>
> Is 350 watts adequate? I looked into building my own computer, and one
> piece of consistent advice was to get a 400 watt ps or higher.
>
> What about noise? Perhaps more fans, each moving less air, are quieter.
> Then again, maybe not.
>
> Any comments about these or other differences between a 8400 and a
> similarly equipped XPS?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rod

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Axinar wrote:

> Thank God Dell has a mall kiosk here in the Tri-County Mall in
> Cincinnati so you can actually go and handle the boxes.

Thank you for the idea. I had not thought about that. There is a mall
within a 20 minute drive with a Dell Kiosk - found via Dell's web site.
I will go there this afternoon.

>
> The 8400 is great if you are pretty much 100% sure you are never going
> to make any major mods. It is, I guess you would call it a
> "mid-tower" and is pretty compact.
>
> The XPS is a "real" case -- or at least as real as you are going to
> get with all the styling and the neon lights and all that BS.
>
> It has lots and lots of empty PCI slots and at least two empty front
> slots depending on how you configure the machine.
>
> The XPS also has a 3.5" floppy drive.
>
> The XPS is targeted at the "gamer" market but would be the only
> machine I would probably go for.

thanks again for the input.

Rod

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

We were faced a few weeks back with the same decision: Dimension 8400
or Dimension XPS Gen 3.

We chose the XPS Gen 3, for the following reasons:

(1) it was upgradeable to a superior graphics card;
(2) one of the free extras that week was a 160GB hard-drive;
(3) we were able to add a second 160GB hard-drive, without a RAID
controller, for a pure, second hard drive; this was not possible with
the 8400;
(4) the other freebie that week was an upgrade to a total 2GB of RAM;
(5) it comes with eight USB ports, six in the rear and two in the
front;
(6) I am not sure the 8400 was available with the Intel® Pentium® 4
processor 560 with HT Technology at 3.60GHz, which the XPS Gen 3 was;
and
(6) the XPS comes in a wicked blue case with a color-adjustable night
light, if you will, around the floating logo plate on the front, and
that's cool . . .

I hope this helps with the decision!

Scott.


"J. Rodney Grisham" <Rod.Grisham@RevexTechnologies.com> wrote in message news:<ckbn1r$4l7@library1.airnews.net>...
> Axinar wrote:
>
> > Thank God Dell has a mall kiosk here in the Tri-County Mall in
> > Cincinnati so you can actually go and handle the boxes.
>
> Thank you for the idea. I had not thought about that. There is a mall
> within a 20 minute drive with a Dell Kiosk - found via Dell's web site.
> I will go there this afternoon.
>
> >
> > The 8400 is great if you are pretty much 100% sure you are never going
> > to make any major mods. It is, I guess you would call it a
> > "mid-tower" and is pretty compact.
> >
> > The XPS is a "real" case -- or at least as real as you are going to
> > get with all the styling and the neon lights and all that BS.
> >
> > It has lots and lots of empty PCI slots and at least two empty front
> > slots depending on how you configure the machine.
> >
> > The XPS also has a 3.5" floppy drive.
> >
> > The XPS is targeted at the "gamer" market but would be the only
> > machine I would probably go for.
>
> thanks again for the input.
>
> Rod

 

[David]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

> We were faced a few weeks back with the same decision: Dimension 8400
> or Dimension XPS Gen 3.
>
> We chose the XPS Gen 3, for the following reasons:
>
> (1) it was upgradeable to a superior graphics card;

You get the Same Cards on the 8400. (X800SE, 6800GTO, or X800XT)

> (2) one of the free extras that week was a 160GB hard-drive;

Dell was running a Free upgrade to a 17" Flat Panel Monitor when I bought my
8400

> (3) we were able to add a second 160GB hard-drive, without a RAID
> controller, for a pure, second hard drive; this was not possible with
> the 8400;

Untrue. The XPS Gen3 and Dimension 8400 share the same Motherboard, and the
same storage options. You can get a single drive, dual Drive, or Raid setup.

> (4) the other freebie that week was an upgrade to a total 2GB of RAM;

I took advantage of this with my Dimension 8400 as well.

> (5) it comes with eight USB ports, six in the rear and two in the
> front;

So does the Dimension 8400

> (6) I am not sure the 8400 was available with the Intel® Pentium® 4
> processor 560 with HT Technology at 3.60GHz, which the XPS Gen 3 was;
> and

It sure is.

> (6) the XPS comes in a wicked blue case with a color-adjustable night
> light, if you will, around the floating logo plate on the front, and
> that's cool . . .

True.... The XPS Gen 3 also comes with SB Audigy2 Sound Standard, and a
Floppy Drive. Not worth the extra Premium IMHO.

Also, the Dimension 8400 and the XPS Gen 3 Have the same amount of PCI
Slots, PCI-e Slots and Dimm slots. As I mentioned, the 8400 and XPS Gen 3
share the same motherboard.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without setting up
a raid.

"Scott A. Smith" <Scott.A.Smith@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:bba5d208.0410291410.70363a6c@posting.google.com...
> We were faced a few weeks back with the same decision: Dimension 8400
> or Dimension XPS Gen 3.
>
> We chose the XPS Gen 3, for the following reasons:
>
> (1) it was upgradeable to a superior graphics card;
> (2) one of the free extras that week was a 160GB hard-drive;
> (3) we were able to add a second 160GB hard-drive, without a RAID
> controller, for a pure, second hard drive; this was not possible with
> the 8400;
> (4) the other freebie that week was an upgrade to a total 2GB of RAM;
> (5) it comes with eight USB ports, six in the rear and two in the
> front;
> (6) I am not sure the 8400 was available with the Intel® Pentium® 4
> processor 560 with HT Technology at 3.60GHz, which the XPS Gen 3 was;
> and
> (6) the XPS comes in a wicked blue case with a color-adjustable night
> light, if you will, around the floating logo plate on the front, and
> that's cool . . .
>
> I hope this helps with the decision!
>
> Scott.
>
>
> "J. Rodney Grisham" <Rod.Grisham@RevexTechnologies.com> wrote in message
> news:<ckbn1r$4l7@library1.airnews.net>...
>> Axinar wrote:
>>
>> > Thank God Dell has a mall kiosk here in the Tri-County Mall in
>> > Cincinnati so you can actually go and handle the boxes.
>>
>> Thank you for the idea. I had not thought about that. There is a mall
>> within a 20 minute drive with a Dell Kiosk - found via Dell's web site.
>> I will go there this afternoon.
>>
>> >
>> > The 8400 is great if you are pretty much 100% sure you are never going
>> > to make any major mods. It is, I guess you would call it a
>> > "mid-tower" and is pretty compact.
>> >
>> > The XPS is a "real" case -- or at least as real as you are going to
>> > get with all the styling and the neon lights and all that BS.
>> >
>> > It has lots and lots of empty PCI slots and at least two empty front
>> > slots depending on how you configure the machine.
>> >
>> > The XPS also has a 3.5" floppy drive.
>> >
>> > The XPS is targeted at the "gamer" market but would be the only
>> > machine I would probably go for.
>>
>> thanks again for the input.
>>
>> Rod

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without setting
> up a raid.
>


WSZsr,

How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one can
have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?

I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller is
used in a PC.

Thank you in advance for your help and comments.

Leer

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Leer,
IMHO I wouldn't mind having a RAID 1 setup. What ever is written to one
drive gets written to the second, creating a mirror image. Gives ya a warm
fuzzy feeling about your data being safe from a drive failure. I guess the
downside would be the extra cost and I imagine your still venerable to virus
attacks that could take out both drives (data wise)
Paul

"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without setting
>> up a raid.
>>
>
>
> WSZsr,
>
> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>
> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
> is used in a PC.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>
> Leer
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Leer,
One other point. If money were no object RAID 5 would be fun. Two drives
mirrored as in RAID 1 and another two drives linked as in RAID 0. RAID 0
speeds up drive access time. The downside here as I understand it is that if
one of the drives fail, bye, bye all the data on both drives. But hey with
RAID 5 you still have the data on the mirrored drives. Like I said, if money
were no object. If I got my facts wrong I'm sure I'll be corrected.
Paul

"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without setting
>> up a raid.
>>
>
>
> WSZsr,
>
> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>
> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
> is used in a PC.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>
> Leer
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Paul,

Thanks. That helps. What type of software is needed to have a RAID setup?

Leer


"Paul Schilter" <paulschilter@comcast,dot,net> wrote in message
news:B-adnQ4UVZr6dx7cRVn-hQ@giganews.com...
> Leer,
> IMHO I wouldn't mind having a RAID 1 setup. What ever is written to one
> drive gets written to the second, creating a mirror image. Gives ya a warm
> fuzzy feeling about your data being safe from a drive failure. I guess the
> downside would be the extra cost and I imagine your still venerable to
> virus attacks that could take out both drives (data wise)
> Paul
>
> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>
>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>> setting up a raid.
>>>
>>
>>
>> WSZsr,
>>
>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>
>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>> is used in a PC.
>>
>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>
>> Leer
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Paul,

Thanks again. I will have to do some research and homework. I need to look
up what the different types of RAID setups there are and what they do.

Thanks again,

Leer

"Paul Schilter" <paulschilter@comcast,dot,net> wrote in message
news:KdednRzlCeSRcR7cRVn-iw@giganews.com...
> Leer,
> One other point. If money were no object RAID 5 would be fun. Two
> drives mirrored as in RAID 1 and another two drives linked as in RAID 0.
> RAID 0 speeds up drive access time. The downside here as I understand it
> is that if one of the drives fail, bye, bye all the data on both drives.
> But hey with RAID 5 you still have the data on the mirrored drives. Like I
> said, if money were no object. If I got my facts wrong I'm sure I'll be
> corrected.
> Paul
>
> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>
>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>> setting up a raid.
>>>
>>
>>
>> WSZsr,
>>
>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>
>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>> is used in a PC.
>>
>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>
>> Leer
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Tony]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Wow I am feeling better already. I have a new 8400 with one gig going to
two.
T

"David" <elementz@despammed.com> wrote in message
news:bsBgd.451$14.422@read1.cgocable.net...
>
>
> > We were faced a few weeks back with the same decision: Dimension 8400
> > or Dimension XPS Gen 3.
> >
> > We chose the XPS Gen 3, for the following reasons:
> >
> > (1) it was upgradeable to a superior graphics card;
>
> You get the Same Cards on the 8400. (X800SE, 6800GTO, or X800XT)
>
> > (2) one of the free extras that week was a 160GB hard-drive;
>
> Dell was running a Free upgrade to a 17" Flat Panel Monitor when I bought
my
> 8400
>
> > (3) we were able to add a second 160GB hard-drive, without a RAID
> > controller, for a pure, second hard drive; this was not possible with
> > the 8400;
>
> Untrue. The XPS Gen3 and Dimension 8400 share the same Motherboard, and
the
> same storage options. You can get a single drive, dual Drive, or Raid
setup.
>
> > (4) the other freebie that week was an upgrade to a total 2GB of RAM;
>
> I took advantage of this with my Dimension 8400 as well.
>
> > (5) it comes with eight USB ports, six in the rear and two in the
> > front;
>
> So does the Dimension 8400
>
> > (6) I am not sure the 8400 was available with the Intel® Pentium® 4
> > processor 560 with HT Technology at 3.60GHz, which the XPS Gen 3 was;
> > and
>
> It sure is.
>
> > (6) the XPS comes in a wicked blue case with a color-adjustable night
> > light, if you will, around the floating logo plate on the front, and
> > that's cool . . .
>
> True.... The XPS Gen 3 also comes with SB Audigy2 Sound Standard, and a
> Floppy Drive. Not worth the extra Premium IMHO.
>
> Also, the Dimension 8400 and the XPS Gen 3 Have the same amount of PCI
> Slots, PCI-e Slots and Dimm slots. As I mentioned, the 8400 and XPS Gen 3
> share the same motherboard.
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Leer,
Since I've never had a RAID capable computer I can't answer you
question. Here's a link that might answer your question:

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?
rue&ssum=False&qmp=10&p=1&eh=NoEvent&rrr=False&subcat=dkb&snpsb=K&snpsd=A&ddate=False&ddays

If the link is too long, go to the Dell site and search on RAID, then
technical support, then RAID again. It'll tell you a lot about RAID systems.
Paul

"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:gWSgd.25869$hN1.8021@twister.socal.rr.com...
> Paul,
>
> Thanks. That helps. What type of software is needed to have a RAID setup?
>
> Leer
>
>
> "Paul Schilter" <paulschilter@comcast,dot,net> wrote in message
> news:B-adnQ4UVZr6dx7cRVn-hQ@giganews.com...
>> Leer,
>> IMHO I wouldn't mind having a RAID 1 setup. What ever is written to
>> one drive gets written to the second, creating a mirror image. Gives ya a
>> warm fuzzy feeling about your data being safe from a drive failure. I
>> guess the downside would be the extra cost and I imagine your still
>> venerable to virus attacks that could take out both drives (data wise)
>> Paul
>>
>> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
>> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>>
>>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>>> setting up a raid.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> WSZsr,
>>>
>>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>>
>>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>>> is used in a PC.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>>
>>> Leer
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without setting
>> up a raid.
>>
>
>
> WSZsr,
>
> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>
> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
> is used in a PC.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>
> Leer
>
>


For most people it's most useful to set up a RAID 1 configuration
(mirroring), which provides one with a real hard drive clone on the second
drive should the primary drive fail.

RAID 0 is overrated (imo) for most home use. In that configuration, disk
performance is increased but there is no redundancy - meaning, one drive
dies and kiss your data goodbye.

You might wish to do a google search on 'redundant array of inexpensive
disks' for in-depth comparision and information regarding the RAID 0 and
RAID 1 choices.


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Appreciate your opinion on Dimension 8400:

How many and what type of drive bays are available after hard disk,
dvd-rom and floppy?

ATI Radeon X300 SE vs. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO (+$281)

Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio vs. Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD
(+$21)

512M vs. 1G (+$94)

Do prices go down after Christmas? By how much?


David wrote:
>
> > We were faced a few weeks back with the same decision: Dimension 8400
> > or Dimension XPS Gen 3.
> >
> > We chose the XPS Gen 3, for the following reasons:
> >
> > (1) it was upgradeable to a superior graphics card;
>
> You get the Same Cards on the 8400. (X800SE, 6800GTO, or X800XT)
>
> > (2) one of the free extras that week was a 160GB hard-drive;
>
> Dell was running a Free upgrade to a 17" Flat Panel Monitor when I bought my
> 8400
>
> > (3) we were able to add a second 160GB hard-drive, without a RAID
> > controller, for a pure, second hard drive; this was not possible with
> > the 8400;
>
> Untrue. The XPS Gen3 and Dimension 8400 share the same Motherboard, and the
> same storage options. You can get a single drive, dual Drive, or Raid setup.
>
> > (4) the other freebie that week was an upgrade to a total 2GB of RAM;
>
> I took advantage of this with my Dimension 8400 as well.
>
> > (5) it comes with eight USB ports, six in the rear and two in the
> > front;
>
> So does the Dimension 8400
>
> > (6) I am not sure the 8400 was available with the Intel® Pentium® 4
> > processor 560 with HT Technology at 3.60GHz, which the XPS Gen 3 was;
> > and
>
> It sure is.
>
> > (6) the XPS comes in a wicked blue case with a color-adjustable night
> > light, if you will, around the floating logo plate on the front, and
> > that's cool . . .
>
> True.... The XPS Gen 3 also comes with SB Audigy2 Sound Standard, and a
> Floppy Drive. Not worth the extra Premium IMHO.
>
> Also, the Dimension 8400 and the XPS Gen 3 Have the same amount of PCI
> Slots, PCI-e Slots and Dimm slots. As I mentioned, the 8400 and XPS Gen 3
> share the same motherboard.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:6_dhd.1741$T_.660@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>
>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>> setting up a raid.
>>>
>>
>>
>> WSZsr,
>>
>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>
>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>> is used in a PC.
>>
>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>
>> Leer
>>
>>
>
>
> For most people it's most useful to set up a RAID 1 configuration
> (mirroring), which provides one with a real hard drive clone on the second
> drive should the primary drive fail.
>
> RAID 0 is overrated (imo) for most home use. In that configuration, disk
> performance is increased but there is no redundancy - meaning, one drive
> dies and kiss your data goodbye.
>
> You might wish to do a google search on 'redundant array of inexpensive
> disks' for in-depth comparision and information regarding the RAID 0 and
> RAID 1 choices.
>
>
> Stew
>

Thank you for your help and comments. I will do a Google search and learn
more about RAID.

Leer

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:UJfhd.30559$jo2.18392@twister.socal.rr.com...
>
> "S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:6_dhd.1741$T_.660@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>>
>> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
>> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>>
>>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>>> setting up a raid.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> WSZsr,
>>>
>>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>>
>>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>>> is used in a PC.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>>
>>> Leer
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> For most people it's most useful to set up a RAID 1 configuration
>> (mirroring), which provides one with a real hard drive clone on the
>> second drive should the primary drive fail.
>>
>> RAID 0 is overrated (imo) for most home use. In that configuration, disk
>> performance is increased but there is no redundancy - meaning, one drive
>> dies and kiss your data goodbye.
>>
>> You might wish to do a google search on 'redundant array of inexpensive
>> disks' for in-depth comparision and information regarding the RAID 0 and
>> RAID 1 choices.
>>
>>
>> Stew
>>
>
> Thank you for your help and comments. I will do a Google search and learn
> more about RAID.
>
> Leer
>
>
>


You're most welcome. And as has been pointed out in this thread, just
because you have a RAID controller, it does not mean you have to use it.
One can simply utilitize the two hard drives with no RAID array - like any
other system.


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Paul,

Thanks for your help and support.

I will check out your sources and do some reading about RAID.

Leer

"Paul Schilter" <paulschilter@comcast,dot,net> wrote in message
news:auCdnX983O0HxBjcRVn-hg@giganews.com...
> Leer,
> Since I've never had a RAID capable computer I can't answer you
> question. Here's a link that might answer your question:
>
> http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?
> rue&ssum=False&qmp=10&p=1&eh=NoEvent&rrr=False&subcat=dkb&snpsb=K&snpsd=A&ddate=False&ddays
>
> If the link is too long, go to the Dell site and search on RAID, then
> technical support, then RAID again. It'll tell you a lot about RAID
> systems.
> Paul
>
> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
> news:gWSgd.25869$hN1.8021@twister.socal.rr.com...
>> Paul,
>>
>> Thanks. That helps. What type of software is needed to have a RAID setup?
>>
>> Leer
>>
>>
>> "Paul Schilter" <paulschilter@comcast,dot,net> wrote in message
>> news:B-adnQ4UVZr6dx7cRVn-hQ@giganews.com...
>>> Leer,
>>> IMHO I wouldn't mind having a RAID 1 setup. What ever is written to
>>> one drive gets written to the second, creating a mirror image. Gives ya
>>> a warm fuzzy feeling about your data being safe from a drive failure. I
>>> guess the downside would be the extra cost and I imagine your still
>>> venerable to virus attacks that could take out both drives (data wise)
>>> Paul
>>>
>>> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
>>> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>>>
>>>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>>>> setting up a raid.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> WSZsr,
>>>>
>>>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some
>>>> one can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>>>
>>>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID
>>>> controller is used in a PC.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>>>
>>>> Leer
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

In my opinion and based on what I have read, there really isn't any
performance advantage for desktop systems. Servers yes, but not desktops.
The apps we run just don't need it. Backup is another issue. I prefer to
add a second hard drive and run regular backups. Having two matching hard
drives in RAID 1 is not necessary unless your data is worth more than the
gold in Fort Knox.



"Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
news:UJfhd.30559$jo2.18392@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>>
>>>
>>> WSZsr,
>>>
>>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some one
>>> can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>>
>>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID controller
>>> is used in a PC.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>>
>>> Leer
>>>
>>>
>>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:_0ghd.3943$fC4.1432@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> In my opinion and based on what I have read, there really isn't any
> performance advantage for desktop systems. Servers yes, but not desktops.
> The apps we run just don't need it. Backup is another issue. I prefer to
> add a second hard drive and run regular backups. Having two matching hard
> drives in RAID 1 is not necessary unless your data is worth more than the
> gold in Fort Knox.
>
>


WSZsr,

I don't know if I fully agree with the last part of that.

It seems to me that RAID 1 would be a bit more convenient than even
scheduled (software utility) backups on a two-drive system - as the backup
would be created automatically, no?

Of course, there might be drawbacks to that in the event of a bad software
install, etc - where a manual backup allows some discretion.


Stew

 

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Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"S.Lewis" wrote:
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:_0ghd.3943$fC4.1432@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> > In my opinion and based on what I have read, there really isn't any
> > performance advantage for desktop systems. Servers yes, but not desktops.
> > The apps we run just don't need it. Backup is another issue. I prefer to
> > add a second hard drive and run regular backups. Having two matching hard
> > drives in RAID 1 is not necessary unless your data is worth more than the
> > gold in Fort Knox.
> >
>
> WSZsr,
>
> I don't know if I fully agree with the last part of that.
>
> It seems to me that RAID 1 would be a bit more convenient than even
> scheduled (software utility) backups on a two-drive system - as the backup
> would be created automatically, no?
>
> Of course, there might be drawbacks to that in the event of a bad software
> install, etc - where a manual backup allows some discretion.

There is an article on RAID on Langa list:
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2004/2004-09-20.htm

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:JTfhd.1825$T_.494@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
> news:UJfhd.30559$jo2.18392@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>
>> "S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:6_dhd.1741$T_.660@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>>>
>>> "Leer" <lrcite@yahoonotthis.com> wrote in message
>>> news:X2Bgd.29565$jo2.27085@twister.socal.rr.com...
>>>>
>>>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:HKzgd.2448$fC4.242@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>>>> 3) Not true. You can add second hard drives of any size without
>>>>> setting up a raid.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> WSZsr,
>>>>
>>>> How useful is setting up a RAID in personal computers today, if some
>>>> one can have two, let's say 80 gig hard drives, in a PC?
>>>>
>>>> I am curious and would like to know and understand how a RAID
>>>> controller is used in a PC.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you in advance for your help and comments.
>>>>
>>>> Leer
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For most people it's most useful to set up a RAID 1 configuration
>>> (mirroring), which provides one with a real hard drive clone on the
>>> second drive should the primary drive fail.
>>>
>>> RAID 0 is overrated (imo) for most home use. In that configuration,
>>> disk performance is increased but there is no redundancy - meaning, one
>>> drive dies and kiss your data goodbye.
>>>
>>> You might wish to do a google search on 'redundant array of inexpensive
>>> disks' for in-depth comparision and information regarding the RAID 0 and
>>> RAID 1 choices.
>>>
>>>
>>> Stew
>>>
>>
>> Thank you for your help and comments. I will do a Google search and learn
>> more about RAID.
>>
>> Leer
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> You're most welcome. And as has been pointed out in this thread, just
> because you have a RAID controller, it does not mean you have to use it.
> One can simply utilitize the two hard drives with no RAID array - like any
> other system.
>
>
> Stew
>
Stew,

Thanks. I did not know that you had a choice once the RAID was set up. I am
going to do some more research and reading. This will be a new experience
and I am looking forward to learning something new.

Leer