What Strip size do I use with Raid 0?

I have (2) 200gb 7200rpm Hd's , I will set them up in Raid 0. When you setup Raid ) on the Gateway P FX series, it asks what strip size 32, 64, or 128. I setup 128. Is this the best setup for mainly Gaming, reading email, and web surfing?

I also have a second laptop with (2) 250gb 5400rpm setup raid 0 128 strip size.

 

I used the 128 setting, I've read alot of people recommending the 64 option though, just defrag alot as the 128 setting scatters info more than a lower setting.

 

I was using 128, and then switched to 64 for the heck of it. My hard numbers didn't really change that much, but the machine seems a little quicker. Of course, I have nothing to back that claim up, other than my gut feeling.

b

 

I think 128 is good for large file movements like video editing, and you have to defrag more often. I may try 32 to see how it works. bfrazier, you had to reinstall everything to change your strip size right?

 

Yup. Wiped everything and started from scratch. Oh, and I'm using 2 WD 5400rpm 250s. I'd be very interested to see what you think of 32. I've always used 128 and this was the first time I actually went less than 128.

 

I have both (2) 200gb 7200rpm raid 0, and (2) 250gb 5400rpm raid 0, since I use this laptops for games, internet, and email, I think the smaller file size will work better for this setup.

 

Once you get it up and running, I guess we should have an HDTune shoot out. I can test out my 64kb stripe, and then we'll see what you get. If I get time tonight, I'll put up some numbers. I won't hold a candle to your 7200s, but I'd like to compare the 5400s to see if there is much difference with the different stripes.

b

 

I will probably do it in the next couple of days, I'm upgradeing my desktop
I'm such a geek.

 

For those that do not know the setting basically establishes the threshold above which a file is written to both drives.

128 means that files smaller than 128 kb do not benefit from RAID 0, they are written to one drive.

So for lots of little stuff, a smaller number might be better for you and may explain what a lot of folks say - that 64 seems more responsive.

 

lewdvig, thank you for the information, what I be better off with 32kb?

 

Just ran HDTune and here's what I got:

Max: 109.9
Min: 49.5
Avg: 82.9
Access Time: 17.8
Burst: 612.7
CPU: 10.2%

b

 

I use 128 because I only educated myself after setup .

I think 64 is a good compromise like the other posters suggested.

bfrazier's scores are very close to mine (with 128):

Max: 103.3
Min: 50.0
Avg: 83.6
Access Time: 17.6
Burst: 79.0
CPU: 9%

 

When you change the stip size, I dont think you can use a cloned version of the old striped size, I just found out. I clode my HD onto a exturnel HD, changed the strip size, rebooted to my exturnal HD, and vista starts to load and blue screen, oh well, reinstalling vista, lucky I backed up everything.

 

Very smart. I would be busy re-installing everything right now.