guys guys. Be wise and stay away from AMD for now. I'm a fan of AMD just because I like competition, but right now Intels are much better systems. Not only are AMD CPU's slower, but they run hotter and don't overclock as well as current Intel's. If that's not enough, the real reason to buy in Intel is for the ICH*R onboard raid controller that Serum mentioned. Theres something about the Intel Raid that even most guys who think they know Raid don't know. It's called the Intel Matrix RAID. Basically it allows you to have more then one Raid array on the same drives. Take my computer for instance. I have 4 500GB hard drives in my system right now. On the same drives I have a 20GB RAID 0 across 4 drives. This I use for my operating system and programs. The rest of the hard drive space left over goes on a second RAID 10. This gives me a VERY fast 20gb partition for windows and my programs. Then I move my documents folder over to the RAID 10 for safe storage. Best of both worlds. If 1 or even 2 of my drives die, I lose my operating system. I'll have to replace the faulty drive, then re install windows. But all my data is still safe and sound on the RAID 10. Not only does this allow you to have your fast RAID 0, but Matrix RAID uses the fastest part of you're hard drive to build the RIAD 0. Your hard drive is MUCH faster on the outer part of it's platter. At the same RPM, the outer part of the platter has much more information passing under the head then the inner part of the platter. So in my case I'm using 5gb of each drive for a total of 20gb RAID 0, then I use the remaining 495gb of each drive to use towards a RAID 10 for safe storage. What does all this equal? Raptor slaying performance for less money, + you get a bunch of storage. My 7200rpm Matrix raid is faster then you're raptors. I know this because I went from 4 raptors on RAID 0 to what I have now. Hope I didn't make that sound to complicated.

I am running RAID - just not the one I really wanted. My brother messed up when setting up my computer. My plan is to redo it this weekend to get it right.

I have 4 160GB 7200RPM SATA WD Caviar SE Hard Drives. Currently, one pair is striped (RAID 0) the other pair mirrored (RAID 1). This gives me a 320GB drive with high performance, and a 160GB with good data security (hard drives are just copies of eachother, so if one fails, the other has all the information still).

What I wanted to do is run RAID 1+0, where there are two pairs of striped drives mirrored together, so I get an effective 320GB of storage, all with the security of mirroring. So long as two of the same striped drives dont fail, I'm fine. For example, 1A and 1B are striped, and 2A and 2B are striped, and pair 1 and 2 are mirrored. As long as 1A and 2A don't fail at the same time (or 1B and 2B), then I'm ok.

The old drive that failed is a Hitachi.

My new computer kicks ass though.

I got a 22" LCD (huge upgrade from my laptops 15.4"), a Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz overclocked to 2.997GHz. Foxconn overclocked GeForce 8800GTX 768MB handles video duties. I also have 2GB of Dual Channel Ram.

hyperasus, you are on the same page as I am. I'm not a big raptor fan - its a waste of money IMO. My friend bought a Raptor and keeps talking about it (its the one single part on his computer thats actually better than mine). He just won't admit RAID owns.

Wow....I thought my 250GB hard drive was big...Personally, my AMD is the fastest thing I think I've ever used. I over clocked mine a good bit, and its still under 30* C. If I remember correctly, under 50 is ok, so I think its taking the over clocking pretty well. I honestly don't like Intel...AMD all the way...

Come on now......don't turn this in too a war LOL. JK, Someones gotta buy those AMD chips. Otherwise who's going to make sure Intel keeps it real with their prices.

What motherboard are you running. If it has Intel Raid then I'll show you how to shut you're friend up forever about the raptor.

I have an ASUS P5N32-E. It supports RAID 1, 0, 1+0, and 5.

I currently have on pair in RAID 1, the other in RAID 0. I want to set it up so its RAID 1+0.

Bummer, P5N32 uses the Nvidia chipset which doesn't support matrix RAID. If you're still in the middle of building you're computer I'd take this opportunity to sell that motherboard and get an ASUS P5B Deluxe. Not only will it out perform the P5N32, but it has built in Matrix RAID. Only thing you would be giving up is support for the Nvidia SLI, and I doubt you plan on using that anyways.