Hard Drive Failed - Lost EVERYTHING!

[hyperasus]

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.