SSD recommendation? plus backup question?

[kcbaltz]

I'd like to upgrade my PC from Windows XP to 7. It currently has two 600+ drives in RAID 1 which I prefer for the protection against downtime. I also backup my data externally using Carbonite.

I'm thinking the simplest thing to do is buy a new drive for the OS and install it there using my existing RAID array as a data drive. I'd like to do SSD for the speed, but want to retain the reliability. From what I've read, it sounds like RAID 1 on an SSD might be needlessly expensive, so I'm looking at a single drive with some kind of backup solution.

To that end, I'm looking at the "Samsung 830 Series MZ-7PC064D/AM 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147133 at Newegg because it gets good reviews, is relatively inexpensive, and comes with Ghost. I figure I"ll use Ghost to back it up regularly to the HDD array such that I could restore relatively quickly in the event of a failure of the SSD. Could I perhaps even create a partition on the HDD for the SSD image and boot from that in an emergency?

Thoughts?

 

[Charlie98]

That's what I did, I used the image utility in Win7 to create one on my backup HDD, and then I have another copy on my exteral HDD.

I have a 500GB HDD for my backup drive, I made a 60GB partition to copy the 60GB SSD into, and the remainder for the other 500GB storage drive I use.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Not all backuo/restore/imaging/cloning programs work with RAID arrays. Some that have a WinPE boot disc, may allow you to add in Windows-compatible RAID drivers, and work that way, but my view is, most do not.

I would back up your data inside windows, to something like a USB3/eSATA external 2TB or 3TB HD, and then install Windows 7 to an SSD (Samsung are great!), and then re-connect your HDs as data drives, or I suppose, as long as you load the win7 drivers for your RAID controller, then you could import them as a RAID array without breaking it.

 

[kcbaltz]

Charlie: Have you tried booting from that 60GB partition on the backup drive?

VirtualLarry: Are you saying that if I install Win7 on the SSD, my RAID array might not be recognized? This rig predates Win7 so I'd assume all the drivers would be pretty standard by now. It's a Gigabyte EP45-UD3R mobo with an Intel RAID chipset (ICH10R).

 

[Charlie98]

Charlie: Have you tried booting from that 60GB partition on the backup drive?

I have not, and I don't think it's a bootable copy/image, but I'm still researching the best avenues for my backup needs (I have an OCZ SSD for my system drive... ...and I'm just planning for the future.)

Hmmm... maybe I should try it.

 

[mfenn]

Charlie: Have you tried booting from that 60GB partition on the backup drive?

VirtualLarry: Are you saying that if I install Win7 on the SSD, my RAID array might not be recognized? This rig predates Win7 so I'd assume all the drivers would be pretty standard by now. It's a Gigabyte EP45-UD3R mobo with an Intel RAID chipset (ICH10R).

No, he's saying that you have to make sure that your backup program of choice has a boot CD that supports your Intel RAID array.

The 830 is a great choice by the way.