To RAID or not to RAID...please see config...

[stuman74]

I am debating...I currently have a A7V133 motherboard with the integrated Promise RAID controller. I have two WD 30GB 7200 RPM drives currently RAIDed. It doesn't seem like anything special compared to when they wre not RAIDed.

Would I be any worse off getting a single WD 1200JB drive that has the 8MB cache on it instead?

Thanks in advance!

 

[goog]

What is the computer used for? Typical use (wordprocessing, gaming, etc.) no benefit, good for video editing etc.
The WD 1200JB will compete quite well with that RAID setup.

See this thread for a 1200JB bench and my older IBM RAID benches.

 

[stuman74]

I don't use it for gaming really, but do plan to use it for video editing and dumping VHS to DVD+RW.

 

[stuman74]

With my current setup, here are my results. Can anyone help me to determine if what I have is actually decent or if a single WD1200JB would be better?

AMD Athlon XP 1800+, 768 MB PC133 CAS2 SDRAM, Asus A7V133 w/FastTrak100 Integrated RAID 0, (2) WD 300BB IDE HDD, ATI All-In-Wonder 7500 64 MB AGP

Sandra Benchmark

ATTO Benchmark

 

[docgonzo]

Here is my $.02. I am running Raid 0 with two maxtor 80gig ATA133's. I have only had the system up and running for about 3 weeks, but I can attest to a noticable speed difference in load times for my OS and my primary game EQ over the load times from my WD 60gig. For other games that dont require constant loading of new "zones" there is- of course- no difference. As far as video editing, I have spent a limited amount of time testing it out, but from the couple hours I did, it was quite a bit faster, and I was even a bit supprised how much faster it was. But, that WD 120 with the big cache size looks awfully nice. If I was you I would buy two of those and then stripe them hehe.

Or, just screw the whole EIDE all together and get yourself some SCSI if video is what you are into. There is my $.02.

 

[Salvador]

I am thinking about RAIDing a couple of WD 120GB JB's right now and don't know if I should. I'm not into video editing at all, I just want a fast setup. Would you still bother or would it just be a waste of money?

I bought 3 drives, but didn't plan on keeping all of them, even though I'd like to. I could use two in a RAID configuration and one for storage. I thought I read somewhere were you can hook up 3 and then if drive fails then you can mirror it with the third. I'm just not sure how this would work.

Anyway.. Sorry for changing the subject if I did. I'm seriously thinking about this, but would rather not spend the money if I have to. Well.. I spent the money, but was hoping to get a little back.

Sal