Is two 200gig (SATA RAID) better than one 400 SATA (master)?

[faramarz123]

Hi guys.
I asked this question before but somehow i got no reply. i want to know whether i should get two 200 gig connected through RAID 0, or just buy one 400 SATA150 and connected to SATA master1. i really need some opinion here.

my MOBO is Asus P5AD2-E Premium.

Thanks a lot of the help.
Mars

 

[Blakhart]

The way I would do this is like so:
400g sata drive for the os and seldom used storage. I'd likely do a 10g os partition, and the rest for data, backups, etc.
I would raid0 the apps, raid0 of the os is asking for it, in my opinion.
Put a pagefile on the os drive and the raid0 array for best performance.

This way the os is on a reliable drive rather than on a risky raid array, apps get a boost from the raid0 array.
Keep in mind that most of the always needed parts of the os will ALWAYS be in memory. Raid0 for the os isn't really needed for performance. Of course, if all you have is a raid0 array, you kinda have to place the os there...

 

[faramarz123]

thanks, i have not made any decision yet, but i will definitly keep your advice in mind. thanks again.

 

[Blakhart]

Always glad to share some ideas.

 

[synthetik]

Other things to consider:

- The cost of 2 drives versus 1.

- Flexibility in partioning. A single drive is more simple to install/partition and when the need comes later, you can re-adjust the partition sizes easier.

- Heat generated by the drives (if you're located in the tropics). Sure you can put additional fans, but they suck in more dust as well.