Want to expand the storage.

I will have my AW17 in a week or so and I wanted to expand the storage, but I didn't know how to go about it. I'm thinking about a second 750gb 7200rpm HDD and a small msata to speed the system up. If I go that route what should I do in terms of utilizing the drives? Do I install the OS on the msata, or just run all 3 in RAID (will I have all the storage combined?)

ALSO!!! If I get an msata along with a standard hdd, what's the biggest I should get?

 

Usually, you want any RAID setup to use the exact same storage drive model (say, 3 WD Scorpio Black 7200RPM 750GB drives, for example).

Anyway, I'd install the OS and programs on the mSATA, and use the 750GB HDD as mass storage. OS and programs will benefit from the load/save speed boost, whereas bulk data storage doesn't really care about the SSD advantages. I'd get at least a 240GB/256GB mSATA SSD to realize the full potential of it (smaller-capacity models aren't as fast as larger-capacity versions of the same model).

 

I could be wrong but I thought that model of AW17 had only two actual HDD/SSD drive bays besides the cd/dvd/bd drive bay? And as Jarhead mention Raid should be of the same make/model/capacity prevent backup errors. But if you just running games and apps Raid I doubt will be of much use for what your doing unless your doing a Server/Client setup? I do as Jarhead said get a 240 SSD at least and use the HDD for backup and data storage that way if the SSD goes out the HDD will have your data/files and won't wipe out your files should the SSD go. That would be the safe mode to go SSD Main/Boot/ O/S install/running drive and HDD user created data/files storage medium. I myself learned this the hard way when all were on one drive that went and so did the kitchen and bathtub. But in the end it is all your choice what you do but one should plan ahead what your doing not just cause you want RAID...there more to expansion then changing drives should you do more.