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    HDD Raid 0 On R2

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Dellienware, Dec 16, 2011.

  1. Dellienware

    Dellienware Workstations & Ultrabooks

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    So even after the raid setup of dual 750gb 7200rpms, I am realizing that I have no noticeable gain in everyday things to loading intense softwares or various games.

    After much researching, it appears that raid controller is every important, as it could be the bottleneck of the whole process.

    Is there any special software that will help the controller? I believe that it is by intel so will intel rapid storage software help? I dont have a whole lot of experience with raid, but as far as right now, it doesnt seem to help as I have expected.

    If you have HDD raid 0, what is your read/write speeds?

    Thanks for your response in advance.
     
    Dellienware, Dec 16, 2011
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  2. Apocy

    Apocy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi dude,

    After a lot of testing and experience I can tell the following
    1. HDDs in whatever configuration used (Raid 0), doesn't matter the type, a noticeable difference than single drive you will not see. Why? Because HDD seek time is slow and in Raid 0 is not becoming better. Testing the read/writes is better, but this is only when copying new files and transferring.
    2. Raid 0 with SSDs is also now I see not really good solution (it may vary with the type of SSDs). My config is with 2x OCZ Vertex 2 and I'm starting to regret that choice. In reality only 1 is sufficient enough with speed and 2 really don't make any more difference - except in tests, but in real use...zip
    3. The solution - 1 fast SSD + normal disk.

    Forget trying to come up with anything different with HDDs only, it is pointless. They are just slow. Seek time on the HDD is on average ~8 ms - on SSD is nearly ~0.00001 ms. :)
     
    Apocy, Dec 18, 2011
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  3. alienwolf

    alienwolf Notebook Deity

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    A SSD in a note book speeds up boot time and shut down times. Apps will open faster but out side of that in real world one SSD is enough. You really can not tell any difference, I can't with SSd's in raid 0. Only in benching one is enough and always make sure you get the right one I use sata II on my Area 51 and R2 and III on my m18x. Got to have the right support. ;)
     
    alienwolf, Dec 18, 2011
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  4. Dellienware

    Dellienware Workstations & Ultrabooks

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    yeah I understand that SSD + HDD is ideal choice but I just needed a very large capacity for programs to be installed on my boot drive. 256gb ssd simply wasnt any where close to being enough.

    I guess now I could kind of see what HDD raid wont make much difference due to bottlenecks here and there..
     
    Dellienware, Dec 18, 2011
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