For my system, it is just about time for a harddrive upgrade.I presently am running a 40GB SCSI and 40GB IDE 7500RPM secondary. I have my system and FS9 programs on the primary with everything else on the secondary. The primary is nearing capacity.My Motherboard is a P4C800 Deluxe which if I read the manual correctly, has SATA and/or RAID capability. I have rebuilt upgrades to numerous computers so am not a complete dummy, but have virtually no knowledge of the ins and outs relative to harddrive choices and configurations. The most complex program I deal with on my computer is FS9. My initial question is to what type of new harddrive or harddrives should I upgrade? More than that, how complex will it be to install and setup the units if I go the SATA and/or RAID route? Reading the manual sounds slightly overwhealming but the unknown always does scare one a little more than is usually necessary. First look it would seem that the Raid 0+1 configuration would be the most advantagious, but the most complex to hook up and configure as well. In fact I am not sure I see any instruction for this combination setup. I see both Raid 0 and Raid 1 instructions, but nothing on Raid0+1. Is it dependent solely upon the hookup arrangement? If I understand what I am reading, this would provide the best performance along with an automatic backup drive?For my purposes, would I be better off to just install two new 250GB IDE configured drives in the old fashioned way? Seems like it might be a waste of MB capabilities, but I sure would hate to bite off more than I can chew.Also, is it worth it to get another SCSI as I can get two of the other type with twice the capacity each for about the same $$$. For the price of two 146GB SCSI's one could buy a new computer. I somewhat suspect that for the money the SCSI approach has outlived its usefullness. I am not sure my SCSI control card will work with the new drives either. It is an Ultra 160 and all of the new drives I see are Ultra 320's.From your experience, anyone have any ideas and/or recommendations on this subject? Any help would sure be appreciated.Thanks:RTHP4C800 Deluxe MotherboardOnboard SoundMax Sound to Creative Inspire 5.1 5200 SpeakersPentium 4, 3.2G CPU1G PC3200/400 MemoryWinXP ProDirectX9.0bATI Radeon 9800Pro 128MBSecondary Graphics Diamond Stealth III S540 PCI 21

I would stick with IDE because it's much cheaper, and if you plan on doing the RAID get two of the same kind. If RAID 0+1 is not an option try flashing your BIOS to see if they have added it since. Disk striping is fast but no backup, mirroring won't gain you any speed but you have a cloned drive. Which is okay as long as your windows doesn't get corrupt then you have 2 hosed windows drives. :( I would do the 0+1 if it supports it.

Thanks for the information and recommendations.I think I understand the hookup and manual instructions after rereading several times. My only confusion is that Raid0, Raid1, and Raid0+1 are indicated as all supported on my board, but the manual only gives the rundown on Raid0 and Raid1 configuration setups. I don't have the "Promise" software loaded at the moment as I am running conventional IDE/SCSI drives at the present time. It may be obvious as a third choice in the setup, but I don't really see that. I have not accessed the ASUS website yet to see what they have to say either.Am I correct in understanding from what I read that the Serial ATA configuration without RAID would give a little bit better response than the conventional IDE setup?. I see on Pricewatch that the price difference is negligible for what is available.Again thanks for your response.RTH