Velociraptor's and RAID

[Benji]

For my new build I want to run a few 150gb Velociraptors in RAID would there be any foreseeable problems in doing so?

[Skyguy]

Just paying the invoice

What RAID configuration are you looking at?

[Benji]

I Was looking at having 2-3 in RAID 0 but i am thinking of just picking picking up a WD Caviar green 1tb with a 32mb cache for $140 instead and just waiting for the Prices on SSD's to drop (Dramatically)

[Skyguy]

Not a bad idea. One thing to remember though: if you put all your eggs (data) in one large basket (HDD) then if something goes wrong you will lose ALL your information. Consider a backup drive, or 2 - 500GB drives.

[_jM]

I run dual 150Gb VRaptors in a RAID 0, and I have a 1Tb WD Black AAKS inside an external enclosure as my bask-up drive. (Maybe you could try an option like this one ) Its a bit pricey.. but in the end I'm quiet happy with this set-up. Amszing speeds too Either way you go.. good luck! I also want to grab up some SSDs but I have no cash for something of the like ...

[Lil' ½ Dead]

I have a Velociraptor and was wondering how they compare in raid to a single SSD? I'm thinking about trading my Velociraptor.. but I could keep it and buy another 300GB and put them in raid configuration. I would benefit from having 600GB fast storage.

We all know the price and storage limitations on SSD. The performance is incredible though. Is it possible to have this same performance with 2 Velociraptors in raid?

[d3m0n_edge]

Running 2x 150GB VelociRaptors in Raid 0 too. The performance boots you gain is purely phenominal!! Why did I use a single one for 6 months, I don't know. Also got a Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB as my backup HDD, just in case. Apart from SSDs, these are 2nd to none for me. These have made me pround, I'm sure they will for you too.

[shattered.likeness]

@ Lil' 1/2 Dead:

Many people are reporting that after several months of use, a single SSD will end up at slower speeds than 2 VelociRaptors in RAID 0. This can be circumvented by regularly reformatting the drive, or re-cloning from the original install drive. This can get your speeds back, but just make sure to back up all of your passwords and programs.

There is also a way to install your games on a different drive, so that you won't ever have to install them again (as long as that drive doesn't fail.) Guess that sounds like another guide for me to start writing, lol.

[Lil' ½ Dead]

Thanks guys. 2 VelociRaptors does seem like the way to go.

[d3m0n_edge]

Even if you do install all your games on a different hard drive, you'll experience registry problems. GTA won't run but Prototype does after a clean installation of Windows.

[Lil' ½ Dead]

Even if you do install all your games on a different hard drive, you'll experience registry problems. GTA won't run but Prototype does after a clean installation of Windows.

What do you mean? GTA wont run on raid drives?

[shattered.likeness]

@D3m0n edge:

Yes there are registry problems, but.... If you back up those registry settings, then when you re-install, you just have to run that .reg file to have your registry settings right back where the were. This way, if you are running an SSD, you don't have to have but minimal files on the SSD and it keeps it INSANE speeds. Just install all of your other programs onto a different drive and have it save all of the other information to the non-OS drive as well. Then, back up your registry files and your set.

ONce you get everything installed, and all of the registry settings backed up as well, you can make a "Master" .reg file with all of the programs registry settings as well. Wipe -> reload Windows -> run "master" .reg file, and you are back up and running within a few minutes after your re-install.

Like I said, I'll write a guide on how to do this, and post it up here. Just give me a few days, as I am working on another guide and a few reviews as well at the moment.

[d3m0n_edge]

@shattered.likeness: Yeah, I know I should have backup up the registries too. Me being silly and overwhelmed because I was holding the VelociRaptor in my hand and was too excited to just whack it in. Lost focus and paid the price! Thanks for the reminder.

@Lil' ½ Dead: GTA has no problems running off VelociRaptors on Raid. I had it installed on a different hard drive. So when I re-installed Windows on the Raid drive, I lost the registries. That's all. Read up one post for a solution.

[Lil' ½ Dead]

I'll be doing a fresh reinstall to avoid this madness. I only have like 5 games on my VelociRaptor anyways. Oblivion is the only game I actually have a save on lol

So I wouldn't lose too much.

[shattered.likeness]

I posted the Guide: Never reinstall your games, ever again!! Thread in the PC gaming section. If you follow the guide, it will make everything easier and less time consuming to backup your games.