HDD Raid0 to SSD Raid0 Questions and Opinions...

So I have some question on whether I should do it and how I should do it...

Please please please correct me if I'm wrong, but in theory I could make a disc image of my current (2) 750gb HDD in Raid0 and transfer that to my future (2) 512gb SSD in Raid0. Is that correct? I have one shot at this, so I have to get it right.

I'd be using this tutorial to setup the Raid on the SSD's: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...llation-questions-troubleshooting-thread.html

I'd just like some reassurance on transfer of the data and Windows configurations (priority on the Windows configs) I have made before I find out the hard way that using a disc image is not possible and I have to start over with default Windows :0/

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Crucial - SATA III CT512M4SSD2 512 GB Internal Solid State Drive

^^^ Will be using these SSD's ^^^


Any and all help or info is very appreciated. I'd hate to mess up my PC as I'm a little bit 'OCD' with it.

 

From what I understand, if you don't use an application that realizes you are cloning from an HDD to an SSD, you will have HORRIFIC results due to the differences between how the two technologies arrange data. Someone more knowledgeable can confirm or deny.

A real issue is the lack of TRIM support until Intel RST 11.5 arrives (and someone can validate that it works without side effects). You'll need to get SSDs that work well under TRIMless conditions. I recommend not even bothering with putting SSDs in RAID 0; they're plenty fast as is.

 

Why use raid 0 on SSDs? You won't ever use that sort of bandwidth on your disks.

 

Also note, depending on which version of BIOS for the RAID controller of your system, even with the 11.5 drivers, you may still not have TRIM over RAID regardless of what driver is used.

 

I would be recommending any other drive than the M4's if you want the highest possible write performance from your new SSD's - the M4's (SATA3) perform close to the Intel 320's (SATA2) in write performance - even in RAID0 (not recommended by me for SSD's or HDD's in 2012...) they will still perform worse then a single Plextor M5S, for example.

See:
AnandTech - Plextor M5S 256GB Review


I would recommend that you do a clean install (not RAID) on your new SSD's and get the fastest performing examples you can. I recommend the Intel 520 Series (256GB and larger).


To help you further, consider providing the following answers:

What system/platform are you installing these to?
How much RAM?
What O/S?
What specific model/system?
What is your primary usage model?
What is your specific software you use most(ly)?


Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

I really appreciate all the info guys... a little over my head but will do some research on what you've told me.

In reply:

What system/platform are you installing these to? Alienware M17xR3
How much RAM? 16gb DDR3
What O/S? Windows 7 64
What specific model/system? Alienware M17xR3
What is your primary usage model? Usage Model?
What is your specific software you use most(ly)? Steam/Gaming/Gaming Software

 

Okay, the platform you're running seems to be Ivy Bridge (latest) with the best O/S (for SSD's) and the optimum amount of RAM (imo for Win7x64+IB). Your usage model seems to be just gaming - I would say you're set with my previous recommendations:

You don't need/want RAID0 (will eventually slow down to below HDD speeds) - you want a current and fast SSD (like the Intel 520 Series 240GB or larger or... the Samsung 830 Series 250GB or larger (Samsung SSD's if you don't care about battery life...) and you want to keep them with as much free space as possible (I keep mine at 50% filled or less to enjoy the 'SSD speed advantage' at all times).


When would you want to RAID SSD's? If you were also using your new system for video editing chores and you wanted the fastest sequential speeds possible (but with the knowledge that you'd be imaging, Secure Erasing and restoring the SSD's on an almost continuous basis (about every three months or less) if you wanted the fastest possible performance from them (the reason they slow down in RAID: TRIM doesn't work on any SSD in a RAID setup).

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

It does help. I appreciate very much the time you've taken to help and explain this to me. Are there any downsides to 2 parallel SDD's? I guess in my situation I would install Win7, Steam and Steam downloads on on SSD and keep music, files, videos on the other? I'm assuming it's faster to not have to access the other drive when gaming. Correct?

I'll definitely go with your advice, the AW has no use as a gaming laptop when not plugged in so I don't care about battery in it. My last question would be, are the SSD's you recommended really that much better (almost double the price) than the Crucial M4's?

 

Scratch that question... I've compared user reviews. 'Nuff said! Will be going with 2 of the intel 520's 480gb.

 

Might be fine... Just be wary of what's been reported so far w/ the intel 520s - http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...sd-520-includes-sandforce-23.html#post8299579

 

Just a little update: Intel RST driver version 11.5 WHQL has been released - this will now support TRIM in RAID arrays.

I still feel that RAID is for very specific scenarios though and would not recommend it for normal use (unless bragging rights are high on your priority... ).

TRIM support has not been verified (as far as I what I have read) yet to my satisfaction; but assuming it has - RAID0 is (mostly) meant to increase sustained sequential read and write speeds (aka RAW video/audio editing) and will do nothing for increasing the snappiness/responsiveness of an O/S for almost any other workload. At least not for an O/S that is already installed on a fast/current SSD, anyway.

 

I am amazed at how useful and informative the guys on this forum are. I want you guys/gals to know it's very appreciated as I don't know where else I'd get this info.

Will help me make an informed decision on upgrading.