I've currently got 2 machines, one with Linux (my old comp I now use for study purposes) and one with Windows XP (for gaming), but I'd rather have just the one box with both operating systems as a dual boot system.
On top of this, I've been wanting to set up RAID for a number of reasons:
- To learn how to do it
- For increased system performance (ie I currently can't load CoD:WaW maps before the round starts )
- For increased data protection (I want to be able to back up data to my computer from other computers in the house)
I know very little about seting up RAID of any kind, and although dual boot systems are supposed to be pretty easy to do, I've never done it. So I might be biting off more than I can chew here.
Originally I'd intended to have two arrays: one RAID 0 (for OS/programs) and one RAID 1 (for data), but but now I'm thinking I should set up RAID 0+1. The reason being, I know the Intel south bridge on my mobo (MSI x975 Platinum) can support RAID0, RAID1 and RAID 0+1, and has 4 SATA2 ports, but I'm not sure if it can do more than one array at once. Anyway, have 4x250GB Seagate SATA2 drives so I should be able to do any of those configurations.
As a side note, the mobo has a second RAID controller (JMicron) but it only has one SATA port and 2 IDE ports (pretty pointless on this mobo if you ask me).
So my first question is: Does anyone know if this mobo can support 2 separate arrays of SATA drives?
Secondly, (assuming 2 arrays is possible) would I be better off setting up RAID 0+1 and making partitions or should I have two arrays (with a partition on each for each OS)?
Thirdly, am I crazy to try to put Windows and Linux on the same array? Apparently this could be a big no no with some RAID configurations. I've read that RAID controllers that come on mobos are usually what they call "FAKERAID", and Linux and Windows versions of this don't get along. Has anyone got opinions on this?
System specs:
Zalman 750W PSU
MSI 975X Platinum
Intel E6400
Corsair 2GB TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (2x XMS2 1GB) Twin2X PC-6400 DDR2 RAM, 2x240-pin DIMMs
Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950PRO 256MB
4x Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
2x Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
2x Seagate ST3250310AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
Samsung DVD
EDIT: I just noticed that although the extra 2 HDDs I bought were supposed to be the same model as the two I already have, the ones they sent are actually slightly different. I might have to send them back since I've heard drives used in RAID need to be identical.
On top of this, I've been wanting to set up RAID for a number of reasons:
- To learn how to do it
- For increased system performance (ie I currently can't load CoD:WaW maps before the round starts )
- For increased data protection (I want to be able to back up data to my computer from other computers in the house)
I know very little about seting up RAID of any kind, and although dual boot systems are supposed to be pretty easy to do, I've never done it. So I might be biting off more than I can chew here.
Originally I'd intended to have two arrays: one RAID 0 (for OS/programs) and one RAID 1 (for data), but but now I'm thinking I should set up RAID 0+1. The reason being, I know the Intel south bridge on my mobo (MSI x975 Platinum) can support RAID0, RAID1 and RAID 0+1, and has 4 SATA2 ports, but I'm not sure if it can do more than one array at once. Anyway, have 4x250GB Seagate SATA2 drives so I should be able to do any of those configurations.
As a side note, the mobo has a second RAID controller (JMicron) but it only has one SATA port and 2 IDE ports (pretty pointless on this mobo if you ask me).
So my first question is: Does anyone know if this mobo can support 2 separate arrays of SATA drives?
Secondly, (assuming 2 arrays is possible) would I be better off setting up RAID 0+1 and making partitions or should I have two arrays (with a partition on each for each OS)?
Thirdly, am I crazy to try to put Windows and Linux on the same array? Apparently this could be a big no no with some RAID configurations. I've read that RAID controllers that come on mobos are usually what they call "FAKERAID", and Linux and Windows versions of this don't get along. Has anyone got opinions on this?
System specs:
Zalman 750W PSU
MSI 975X Platinum
Intel E6400
Corsair 2GB TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (2x XMS2 1GB) Twin2X PC-6400 DDR2 RAM, 2x240-pin DIMMs
Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950PRO 256MB
4x Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
2x Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
2x Seagate ST3250310AS 250GB SATA 3.5" 7200RPM, 8MB
Samsung DVD
EDIT: I just noticed that although the extra 2 HDDs I bought were supposed to be the same model as the two I already have, the ones they sent are actually slightly different. I might have to send them back since I've heard drives used in RAID need to be identical.
Last edited by cospengle (2008-11-30 20:10:12)