Performance: 2 x Sata 2 HDD in Raid 0 vs 1 x Sata 3 HDD + SSD Caching

[benc85]

Hi all,

I haven't had any luck trying to find an answer to this one so I thought I'd pick the local brains.

I'm currently running 2 500gb Sata 2 drives in a RAID 0 configuration, which I have been for some time. Using the intel controllers and now on the Z77 chipset, I always ensure I have write back cache enabled, etc.


I am now considering the possibility of changing the configuration for a few reasons. First of all, Sata 2 is older technology, I also think there is a reasonable boot delay if you have a Raid configuration on the controller, then there's the fact that RAID 0 is inevitably less reliable. So i'm wondering with the addition of intel smart response technology, would i do just as well in performance by getting a 1TB Sata 3 drive paired up with a 60/64gb SSD drive acting as a cache?

I had also heard Sata 3 is a bit of a gimick as the controller limitations barely move beyond Sata 2 bandwidths?

[Newblet]

You'll benefit more using an SSD and HDD separately. Some people complain about 60/64 GB SSDs not being large enough to fit their programs and OS on, I disagree. Have a look at Sean's Windows 7/8 install guide for SSDs on OCN, it will mention points on how to cut down the amount of space used. Also, get a 120/128 GB SSD if you can, there are other benefits rather than just the capacity (write speed, longevity). Then just use the HDD for incompressible data (pictures, videos, stuff you don't need fast read speeds for). Whether you're using a SATA II (3 Gb/s) or SATA III (6 Gb/s) connector you will still notice a big difference over HDDs in RAID or an SSD caching a HDD with SRT. If you do get an SSD, please please PLEASE get a Samsung 830, don't ruin your experience with SSDs and get something that may cause you problems (*cough* SandForce controller SSDs *cough*).

[benc85]

You'll benefit more using an SSD and HDD separately. Some people complain about 60/64 GB SSDs not being large enough to fit their programs and OS on, I disagree. Have a look at Sean's Windows 7/8 install guide for SSDs on OCN, it will mention points on how to cut down the amount of space used. Also, get a 120/128 GB SSD if you can, there are other benefits rather than just the capacity (write speed, longevity). Then just use the HDD for incompressible data (pictures, videos, stuff you don't need fast read speeds for). Whether you're using a SATA II (3 Gb/s) or SATA III (6 Gb/s) connector you will still notice a big difference over HDDs in RAID or an SSD caching a HDD with SRT. If you do get an SSD, please please PLEASE get a Samsung 830, don't ruin your experience with SSDs and get something that may cause you problems (*cough* SandForce controller SSDs *cough*).

Thank you for the clarifications, that's a lot of things I didn't know!

I feel I may have led you with a bit of a red herring by not explaining the configuration I already have in place.

I already have a 64gb Samsung 830D SSD as well as my 1tb Raid 0 array composed of the 2 x 500gb Drives.

I currently have the OS on my SSD, and I use the raid drive as my secondary for most of my games, files and applications.

My main uses are web applications, games and occasion hd video & media playback.

With this in mind i thought my options would be on the lines of what I originally set out up there. I'd even have scope to buy a bigger SSD for my OS and switch the 64gb samsung to a caching drive.

[HalloweenJack]

i have 2 x 750`s in raid 0 as storage , a 128gb ssd as os and a few games - and tbh it works just fine - only thing i might do is get a 256gb ssd