32Gb mSata with 3x750Gb Mechanical HDDs

Hi NBR Users,

I am having difficulties determining the best HDD setup option for my Alienware M18x R2. I currently have a 32Gb mSata (which states is "disabled" on initial HDD splash screen) and three 750Gb mechanical HDDs. One HDD contains Windows 7 Home Edition and all other program files and the other two HDDs are currently only used for storage and backup. What are my options for optimal speed performance using my current devices? I do not have funds currently to upgrade to a SSD , so I have to work with what I got. Besides occasional FPS gaming, I mainly use the m18x R2 for video editing using PowerDirector 11 for family memory DVDs.I just want to try and get the most performance/speed using what I got. All suggestions and recommendations are GREATLY appreciated.

 

Hope I started this thread in the appropriate section. If not, please feel free to move.

 

I forgot to also mention that the three 750Gb HDDs are setup as "non-raid" (this is also displayed during initial HDD splash screen while booting up)

 

You should be able to use raid 0 on two data drives for speed. You still probably should consider swapping the one with the OS and programs for a 256 or larger SSD.

If you can't splash for that, put your programs and projects on the raid discs and the OS on the single drive.


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Put the OS onto the 32Gb mSata and put all three 750 HDDs in Raid with one HDD for programs and the other two HDDs for storage? Any directions on how to go about this, if I understand you correctly?

 

Is this what I should do?

 

I would recommend a larger SSD for OS and programs. 32gb might be a good cache disk, but is too small for sustained performance as a regular SSD.

If you can't add anything to what you have, raid 0 your data drives and put programs and projects on there and OS on the third spinner.

Bear in mind raid 0 is the worst for redundancy and best for performance so you're boned as soon as one of the two drives has issues.


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If I had three hard drives in a laptop, I would put them in RAID 5, but that is just me. Sure you only have 2/3 the storage space, but you have much better security from losing your data, plus you have at least the performance of RAID 0.

 

Good point. I recommended 0 because OP asked for speed, but you're right that 5 is the way to go with the three drives.


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For speed and performance I definitely raid 0 your 3 x 750 HDD's and use the 32Gb SSD to cache accelerate the whole array. You'd get Sata 2 SSD like speeds for the whole 2.25gb... beautiful stuff.

 

I believe this is what I want to do but thinking RAID 5 for protection sake. Is there any directions/instructions for setting up the 3 x 750 HDD's into RAID 5 and enabling the 32Gb caching drive?

Thanks a bunch for all this help!

 

I would prefer NOT to re-install OS, drivers and programs BUT will do for optimal gains.

 

I do not know for sure, but I believe you'll need to wipe everything and do a clean install (after setting up the raid array first).


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So what is your goal? To boot Windows from the RAID array or from the SSD? Either way, it sounds like it would be a lot more of a pain in the butt to not reinstall the OS than to just start clean.

 

For a RAID install like that, a clean install is the best way to go. Otherwise you'll spend more time troubleshooting than doing the clean install because I guarantee you will hit walls along the way.

 

I spent yesterday backing up the laptop. Today, hopefully, I will do a clean install of Windows 7 Home in a RAID 5 setup using the 80Gb mSata to cache this RAID of 3 x 750Gb HDD's. Are there any clear directions on going about this setup? OR do I simple wipe the HDD's, go into BIOS and set up the RAID 5, then install OS and drivers, and finally enable acceleration in the Intel app? Any pointers are greatly appreciated as this is my first time setting up a RAID. Thank you all so much!

 

If you have all your data backed up (make sure to write down or 'snip' images of your email setup, etc.) then all you have to do is:

Make sure you have the latest BIOS for your system (update it now on a known/good setup if one is available).


Remove all HDD/SSD's that will not be part of the RAID5 group from the system.

In the BIOS, enable RAID.

At BOOT UP, go into the RAID options screen and create a RAID5 Array with your 3 HDD's. Leave everything else at defaults.

Now, you can install Windows.

I know you're set on Windows 7 Home, but if you want this to be the last install on this hardware ever: Windows 8.1 Update 1 x64 Pro highly recommended for performance, stability, features and longevity. Installing Win7 Home on this hardware is like running an Audi/VW 1.8T engine with the stock (ugh!) or the original APR tuned chip programming - just saying...

You'll be giving away performance when you'll be putting in just as much time and effort into setting the machine up no matter which O/S you use. Always use the latest O/S. Nothing else makes sense in the long run.


When you're setting up Windows:

Partition your drive so that the O/S drive (C:\) is 150GB in size. Create a second Partition once Windows has fully installed for your Data.

Install Drivers.

Complete Windows Updates until there are no more (include Microsoft Programs in WU options).

Physically install the Caching SSD.

Setup the caching drive.

Install your Programs.


Disable sleep (at least while plugged in) and leave the system on overnight to allow it to do it's own maintenance routines.

The next day, use the system normally; shutdown, rebooting, cold starts, browsing, etc. and be aware of any glitches (there should be NONE).

With the above setup tested to be stable and sound: copy your DATA back to the 'D' drive on the RAID5 Array.



Hope some of this helps.

Good luck.

 

Wow! Many thanks tilleroftheearth! I greatly appreciate your detailed explanation. I will follow up hear once I get the system up and running. Thanks again!

+1 Rep

 

This is what I would like to do but unfortunately, I am not given the option for RAID 5. I can only select RAID 0 or RAID 1.

If I go with RAID 0 and include 2 of the HDD in this array, then would I install Windows 7 Home edition on the HDD outside the RAID 0 array? Then use 80Gb mSata to cache the RAID 0 array? What would be stored on the RAID 0 array? My programs? Can anyone please suggest the best performance setup for using 3x750Gb HDDs and using the mSata drive?

 

Should I go this route...

"For speed and performance I definitely raid 0 your 3 x 750 HDD's and use the 32Gb SSD to cache accelerate the whole array. You'd get Sata 2 SSD like speeds for the whole 2.25gb... beautiful stuff."

OR

OR Figure a way to setup RAID 5 (possible?)...

"If I had three hard drives in a laptop, I would put them in RAID 5, but that is just me. Sure you only have 2/3 the storage space, but you have much better security from losing your data, plus you have at least the performance of RAID 0."

 

Option 1. But since that was my suggestion I'm obviosly bias