Laptop Software RAID 0 with Optical Caddy HDD+Internal, How good?


  1. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #1

    Laptop Software RAID 0 with Optical Caddy HDD+Internal, How good?


    Hello everyone,
    I am using HP p028TX as my primary laptop, Reviewed here-
    [Honest Review] HP P028TX Laptop Review [Core i3 1.9Ghz, 4GB ram, 1TB HDD, Nvidia 830M 2GB, Beats] | NotebookReview

    The laptop is Mostly used For Photo/Videos and Gaming. The laptop came with 1TB HDD and I am lately running out of space. Its very cumbersome to use External USB HDD for certain Data. I have ordered an optical Drive HDD caddy with a view to adding one more HDD and enjoy software RAID.

    Here's what I plan to do-
    1> Install One more 1TB HDD in Optical Caddy.
    2> Convert Both Disks (Internal+Caddy) to Dynamic Disks.
    3> Setup Striping RAID 0 array for the data part. I am not touching the Boot partition nor willing to install Windows on RAID.
    4> Enjoy higher performance of software for Games/ Large videos etc.

    Here are my doubts-
    1> Will conversion to Dynamic disks mess up the windows 7 bootup? Is the process better from Inbuilt disk management or I need some professional tool?

    2> Will the Windows Image Backup Still able to backup/Restore system C:\ partitions from Dynamic disks? (To external USB HDD)

    3> Is the Configuration Reliable Long term? (I am aware of Risks regarding RAID 0, Many PCs at my office Run RAID 0). I am more curious regarding the reliablity of DYNAMIC DISK.

    4> Is it very cumbersome to restore/Recover data from a Dynamic disk in case something messed up? I do keep backups of Data on USB HDD, But I rely on windows Image backup for my Tuned/customized partition C:\ of Windows 7

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I am puzzled No one replied.

    Well, For the short answer, I did it. And it went PERFECTLY.
    I've done many soft RAIDS in windows XP. With 7, its just better.
    Read speeds are in the range of 208 (Minimum) to a whooping~416~512 MB/s.
    Write speeds are 176~196MB/s

    Both HDDs are 1 TB SSHD (That explains 416 MB/s)

    Most importantly, there are no noticeable overheads or CPU load from software on my Teeny i3 4030u.
    Games load MUCH faster now.
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    That is a good story. Thanks for reporting the details. That may help someone who considers such a setup.
      My Computer


 

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