I'm torn with the decision to replace my HDD

J

J187

New Member
I am currently running two 36GB Raptors in Raid 0 for OS and Progs and using a 500GB Storage drive for Media. One of my Raptors is failing. I'm not sure if I should...


A. Replace Raptor with a used 36gb and keep the array ~ $50
B. Replace Raptor with two Re certified 74GB Raptors, keep the array ~$90
C. Replace Raptor with ONE 150GB VelociRapor and ditch the array ~$150
D. Replace Raptor with ONE 300GB VelociRaptor, Ditch array & storage Drive ~ $185


What would you do?

Ultimately I'd LOVE to replace the array with two 150GB Velocis in Raid 0 but I don't want to spend the $300.
 
J187 said:
I am currently running two 36GB Raptors in Raid 0 for OS and Progs and using a 500GB Storage drive for Media. One of my Raptors is failing. I'm not sure if I should...


A. Replace Raptor with a used 36gb and keep the array ~ $50
B. Replace Raptor with two Re certified 74GB Raptors, keep the array ~$90
C. Replace Raptor with ONE 150GB VelociRapor and ditch the array ~$150
D. Replace Raptor with ONE 300GB VelociRaptor, Ditch array & storage Drive ~ $185


What would you do?

Ultimately I'd LOVE to replace the array with two 150GB Velocis in Raid 0 but I don't want to spend the $300.
Click to expand...

Personally, I'd start moving in the direction of buying an SSD. Raptors are starting to get extinct due to SSD's being faster all around, though especially in the random access times.
 
Is there a reason you are running RAID 0? It only boosts performance in data throughput and if you have one drive starting to fail, you better back up anything on that array you may need. I know you said you keep your data on another drive, which is very smart of you, but unless you change the default paths for user data, ie My Documents, some of it may be on the RAID.

I agree that if you really want performance SSD will eventually be the way to go. I think that current SSDs though are up for debate if they are really that much better over the long run.
 
tlarkin said:
Is there a reason you are running RAID 0? It only boosts performance in data throughput and if you have one drive starting to fail, you better back up anything on that array you may need. I know you said you keep your data on another drive, which is very smart of you, but unless you change the default paths for user data, ie My Documents, some of it may be on the RAID.

I agree that if you really want performance SSD will eventually be the way to go. I think that current SSDs though are up for debate if they are really that much better over the long run.
Click to expand...


Running raid 0 with a relatively small block size seems to speed up everyday tasks for me. I know it's a subject for a mighty debate, but my array benchmarks considerably better than each drive did.

Also, I agree the SSD has got my attention a bit... but I can't help but wonder how much better they are going to get and if they will become a better value.
 
Good SSDs usually have <.5ms (more like .1ms) response time in read/write operations, but even the fastest Raptor only has 7ms/4ms--a difference you'll definitely notice!
 
J187 said:
Running raid 0 with a relatively small block size seems to speed up everyday tasks for me. I know it's a subject for a mighty debate, but my array benchmarks considerably better than each drive did.

Also, I agree the SSD has got my attention a bit... but I can't help but wonder how much better they are going to get and if they will become a better value.
Click to expand...

Hmm, OK, it only really increases data throughput, so if you were loading large files and when files first load, they would load faster. Not sure how much faster a 1meg MS word file would load on a RAID 0 than say a standard SATA drive though.

I think RAID 0 has a place and a market but in every day use I wouldn't say that is where it belongs, but to each their own.

SSD drives start to taper off on performance when doing lots and lots of individual requests for disk I/O. I have not kept current though with what is currently out there so they may actually be a lot better. They will consume less power and have a lot less probability of breaking (with no moving parts) so it may be something worth looking into for you.
 
tlarkin said:
Hmm, OK, it only really increases data throughput, so if you were loading large files and when files first load, they would load faster. Not sure how much faster a 1meg MS word file would load on a RAID 0 than say a standard SATA drive though.

I think RAID 0 has a place and a market but in every day use I wouldn't say that is where it belongs, but to each their own.

SSD drives start to taper off on performance when doing lots and lots of individual requests for disk I/O. I have not kept current though with what is currently out there so they may actually be a lot better. They will consume less power and have a lot less probability of breaking (with no moving parts) so it may be something worth looking into for you.
Click to expand...


So what is bad about using it to increase performance for throughput?


Also - I definitely understand where you guys are coming from with the SSDs, but if I was hesitant to spend the $300 on two raptors, imagine what I would have to spend on a good, say, 250GB SSD?? $$$$$.
 
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J187 said:
So what is bad about using it to increase performance for throughput?


Also - I definitely understand where you guys are coming from with the SSDs, but if I was hesitant to spend the $300 on two raptors, imagine what I would have to spend on a good, say, 250GB SSD?? $$$$$.
Click to expand...

Oh there is nothing wrong with running RAID 0, but I wouldn't do it on my PC that I use for gaming. I only have 1 machine running Windows and that is for gaming and maybe some windows development stuff. I just don't trust the instability of RAID 0, and for me and what I do I would not benefit from the performance increase.

Now, if I were loading say 100s of gigs of raw uncut video and then editing it with a software app, then yeah I could see the benefit of running RAID 0. It enhances data throughput, it doesn't enhance frames per a second.
 
tlarkin said:
Now, if I were loading say 100s of gigs of raw uncut video and then editing it with a software app, then yeah I could see the benefit of running RAID 0. It enhances data throughput, it doesn't enhance frames per a second.
Click to expand...

That sounds like something I should be doing...
 
tlarkin said:
Oh there is nothing wrong with running RAID 0, but I wouldn't do it on my PC that I use for gaming. I only have 1 machine running Windows and that is for gaming and maybe some windows development stuff. I just don't trust the instability of RAID 0, and for me and what I do I would not benefit from the performance increase.

Now, if I were loading say 100s of gigs of raw uncut video and then editing it with a software app, then yeah I could see the benefit of running RAID 0. It enhances data throughput, it doesn't enhance frames per a second.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I am leaning toward the single Velociraptor I think
 
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