HELP! ABIT KR7A-133 RAID or NO RAID?

[Embryo]

Hey people,

I'm thinking about buying an Athlon XP 1800 or 1900 CPU, 256Mb DDR RAM and a motherboard, but I'm not sure of which model to choose from: a RAID or non RAID version. I currently have an ABIT KT7-RAID but I've never used this feature before, I don't even know what it does... )

The RAID version here where I live is MUCH MORE expensive than the normal one, so I don't know if it's worth the extra money....

Any ideas?? Thanks a lot!! )

 

[Strych9]

Even if you don't use the RAID the extra IDE ports come in handy. Keep you from having to buy a controller card if you like to keep each device on its own channel like I do. And who knows maybe you'll feel like giving RAID a try one of these days. I have a KR7A-RAID and am very pleased with it. You just need to decide if you want to spend the extra money.

 

[anthrax]

Since the cost extra cost of RAID seems to be a issue here....It sounds like you won't really need it as you need 2 HDD of the same type to take advantage of it...read
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=110
There is really no point unless you are really going to use it...
Why not get a KT333 chipset MB instead...They tend to be packed with features like USB 2.0 , Firewire and six USB ports...those could be abit more useful.....
If doubt you will be use more than 4 Channels.... say you are using 1 HDD and DVD and a CDR,,,you still have 1 channel.....price of RAID..you could put atleast 30 gigs more to that HDD.......once you get to 3 HDD, you need new PSU, bigger case......

 

[LostHiWay]

<< Since the cost extra cost of RAID seems to be a issue here....It sounds like you won't really need it as you need 2 HDD of the same type to take advantage of it...read
<a href="http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=110">http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=110</A>
There is really no point unless you are really going to use it...
Why not get a KT333 chipset MB instead...They tend to be packed with features like USB 2.0 , Firewire and six USB ports...those could be abit more useful.....
If doubt you will be use more than 4 Channels.... say you are using 1 HDD and DVD and a CDR,,,you still have 1 channel.....price of RAID..you could put atleast 30 gigs more to that HDD.......once you get to 3 HDD, you need new PSU, bigger case...... >>



You could get the EPoX 8K3A+ (KT333) board which has RAID and overclocks just as much as the Abit KR7A.

Newegg has the 8K3A+ for $115 while the 8K3A (no RAID) is $105. Much better value IMHO

 

[billyjak]

I went with the Raid board over the vanilla package, I like the fact to be able to put more IDE devices on the computer.
I run 3 hard drives, not in Raid though.
The KR7A Raid board is sweet. I upgraded from my KT7 Raid board.
I would personally get the Raid board.

 

[sad]

Don't bother with raid. If you need extra ide ports get a separate ide card.

 

[Strych9]

<< Don't bother with raid. If you need extra ide ports get a separate ide card. >>

Why by a separate controller if you can get the RAID board for about the same price if not less and have the option to upgrade to RAID in the future?

 

[sad]

<< Why by a separate controller if you can get the RAID board for about the same price if not less and have the option to upgrade to RAID in the future? >>



Mostly for convenience when it comes time to upgrade to another motherboard. Instead of paying a premium each time for onboard raid, you can use the same card over and over again.

 

[Embryo]

<<

<< Don't bother with raid. If you need extra ide ports get a separate ide card. >>

Why by a separate controller if you can get the RAID board for about the same price if not less and have the option to upgrade to RAID in the future? >>



But that's the problem. The RAID board here is NOT about the same price. It's much more expensive. That's why I'm thinking about buying it or not.

 

[Strych9]

If money is the issue then get the non-RAID board and if you decide to go RAID later on then by a controller card.

 

[mikable]

Abit KR7A-133 VIA KT266A 120.00


Abit KR7A-133Raid VIA KT266A 137.00

Premium for RAID 17.00


IWILL SIDE-RAID 100 HPT370 43.00
PROMISE FASTTRAK TX2000 90.00

Dang them Raid cards are expensive! All prices are from new egg

I'd get the RAID MoBo if you are going to use more then 4 IDE devices, or if your gona use RAID. If your only gona use 4 or less or no RAID setup, I'd save the 17 bucks and get the non-RAID MoBo.