my first RAID 0 config (gaming system)

[pravoslavnie]

Hi All,

I've been in the industry for 14 years but have never configured RAID for a home gaming system. After doing some hours of research on this, I'd like to confirm some things as well as ask some questions. Please don't answer unless you do consider yourself experienced on the matter or question at hand. I bought a Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R (on sale for $40 at Fry?s NIB) and two WD 74GB Raptors (WD740ADFD; $35 each) and would like to setup RAID 0 for my new gaming setup. Here are my questions:

1. I'm also assuming from what I've read that RAID 0 is going to be the fastest config I can have (storage wise) for gaming. Is this true?

2. What should I be warned of to make sure that my array isn't ever lost for whatever reason and I lose it?

3. I will be having a third 1TB drive for file storage. The RAID 0 array is for the system and game installations. I will actually be installing other business type applications on the single 1TB drive.

4. I've read that most (all?) on-board RAID controllers on motherboards are crap. Can someone explain why?

5. Would my performance increase "substantially" if I buy a RAID controller card and put it in an open PCI slot?

6. What is the optimal RAID 0 config as far as hardware, cards, settings, etc.?

7. I HAVE to tell Windows 7 about my RAID controller during install, right? This is the only way to do it, correct?

8. I?ve read about ?fakeraid?. What is that all about?

9. What RAID controller card has the best price/performance numbers for RAID 0? I also want to be able to do RAID 0+1 later on with four drives. What controller card do you recommend?

I've been searching on Tom's Hardware and Googling around and haven't found many helpful articles or comparison reviews for RAID 0 configs. I remember quite a bit a few years back but can't seem to search them up. Any 2009 or late-2008 links would be much appreciated. I've studied some about various RAID configs on wikipedia as well.

I look forward to your input regarding the RAID setup on my new gaming machine.

Here are the specs btw:

CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 SLACR
RAM: 8GB (4x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333 8-8-8-24
GRAPHICS: Two ATi 4870's 512MB CrossFire
HDD: (2) 74GB WD Raptors (RAID 0) for Windows 7 64-bit installation and games
HDD: (1) Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB SATA 7200RPM (ST31000333AS; storage & office apps)
RAID CONTROLLER: ???
SOUND: SoundBlaster X-Fi (5.1)
DVD: Samsung 22X DVD±RW & CD-RW Burner SH-S222L LightScribe
MONITOR: Dell UltraSharp 24? 2408WFP (1920x1200 native)
POWER: Antec 750W power supply (four 6-pin connectors, four separate rails)
CPU COOLER: Xigmatek HDT-S1283
CASE COOLER: Multiple Thermaltake ISGC fans of various sizes
CASE: Antech Nine Hundred
LIGHTS: Multiple blue Tt Dual UV cold cathodes

 

[Blain]

No HighPoint option?
If you're going to spend money on a RAID controller, drop...
Syba, Rosewill, Koutech and Startech

"I've been searching on Tom's Hardware and Googling around and haven't found many helpful articles or comparison reviews for RAID 0 configs."

You need to hone your Googling skills

 

[pravoslavnie]

I just took the manufacturers from Newegg. So, you recommend HighPoint?

Also, I can find articles from 2005, but 2009 or 2008 searches bring up SAS, SSD, etc. There's no recent articles for RAID 0 SATA controller cards. Do you know of one that is half-way decent?

 

[pravoslavnie]

this one is the most decent i've found so far, but again it is old:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/.../page-208742_14_0.html

...and you have two guys dominating the post with conflicting information... so you see the predicament i'm in.

i'm thinking about just sticking with the on-board ICH10R southbridge and seeing if i can live with it.

also, if the amount of cache is so important on a controller card, then why isn't that spec included on controller cards i'm finding online?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: pravoslavnie
i'm thinking about just sticking with the on-board ICH10R southbridge and seeing if i can live with it.

I'm sure you'll be able to live with it.
Use the cash you save on a RAID controller to buy the two extra drives you'll need for your RAID 10 array.

 

[pravoslavnie]

Your input and comments have been invaluable Blain. Really.

 

[pravoslavnie]

New question:

Why does this...
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16816115029)

...cost almost twice as much as this...
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16816132018)

...if they do the same thing?

Again, I would really appreciate it if people who have a legit answer reply (and not some random comment or flame to increase their post count). :roll:



Thanks! :laugh: :beer:

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

your links open to a list of items not a single item

So you want to raid SATA? So then you have your SSD and then SATA drive options. No SCSI raid? I love my 300Vraptor but there is something about my old SCSI drive that seems eyebrow raising; and it was choked out at almost full capacity @ 32gb

Ahh, ok, so you are going to RAID 0 the two 74g raptors. The burst rates on the 300Gb Vraptor maxs' out around 186mb/s where as my Fujitsu 300Gb 15k scsi max out around 120mb/s The rest is equal in comparison except also for the seek time (3.4ms vs 4.2ms) I'm only assuming but I think the burst will help the load times. If you are playing CRYSIS then an SSD drive WILL benefit your fps and game experience.