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

bhvm

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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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitAMD manchester 3800 x24 GB9800GT (Overclocked)
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled and fully modded
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
AMD manchester 3800 x2
Motherboard
MSI K8nGM2-FID
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
9800GT (Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek Onboard 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
LG widescreen
Hard Drives
1 TB x 2 RAID 0, Gives easily 240 MB/s.
Seagate 7200.12
Case
Self Modded,Acrylic side pannel with etching, DVD window,LED
Cooling
Slef Casted aluminium heatsinks, P4 CPU Heatsink on OC'd GFX
Internet Speed
HSDPA 3G
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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitAMD manchester 3800 x24 GB9800GT (Overclocked)
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled and fully modded
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
AMD manchester 3800 x2
Motherboard
MSI K8nGM2-FID
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
9800GT (Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek Onboard 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
LG widescreen
Hard Drives
1 TB x 2 RAID 0, Gives easily 240 MB/s.
Seagate 7200.12
Case
Self Modded,Acrylic side pannel with etching, DVD window,LED
Cooling
Slef Casted aluminium heatsinks, P4 CPU Heatsink on OC'd GFX
Internet Speed
HSDPA 3G
That is a good story. Thanks for reporting the details. That may help someone who considers such a setup.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
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