OK.. I have been reading about Raid 0 and have been getting conflicting messages. so here are my Issues and Qs before I start building my new PC. One of the weak links to Flight sim has been the blurries for Photo sceneries and I have been looking at the Raptor 10KRPM drives in RAID 0 config.I am concerened about my primary disk being the 10,000 RPM Raptor disk let alone in Raid mode because I have been reading that most of the motherboards do not recognize the SATA drive or if its in the RAID 0 configuration... Don't understand the details. Since this is going to be my first PC Build, I would also like to avoid as much hassle as possible..like "updating MB Chipset and what not even before I have built my PC.So I am thinking.. to get a regular garden variety SATA 7500 RPM drive of 250MB or so capacity ($150) for the primary drive.. where my OS and even my FSim would reside.Then add either a single (non RAID 0 ) Raptor 10,000 RPM drive for all my add on photo scenery orAdd 2 Raptors (10,000 RPM) in RAID 0 config for the photo scenery.This way.. if the 10,000 RPM raptors fail, all I would have to do is reinstall the addon photo scenery and not mess with my OS or FSim.Is this possible? IF this possible, then I may start my system without adding the second set of HD (The raptor/raptors) for now and adding them later.What is your suggestion?MannyOne other possibliblty is to to get two 7500RPM SATA Drive and do a RAID 0 and leave the Raptor drives out.

You can if, what, maybe this question to death. I have 2 Raptors in raid 0. It was my first experiance with raid. It is blazingly fast. I highly reccommend it. I havnt seen very many MB's that DONT support SATA raid. That shouldnt be a question. I also built a non raptor Raid0 setup for another computer and it is also blazing. Used a cheap celeron 2.93 chip too. It loads fast as heck.. Now, you're going to hear all kinds of reasons NOT to do a Raid. "you'll loose all your data if one fails" Sure, SO? Big deal. You loose it all anyway if you use just one HD dont you? That isnt even an arguement. You just cant have it all. Back=up AND speed. Oh, yeah, someone will challenge that too. All I can tell you is that my 2 raids are fast , man fast. The Raptors are faster man, faster. And if they screw up, you know what I'll do? I'll reload the system. Big deal. And I'll probably re-load it even better. If youhave to worry about re-loading, then you have too much karp on your system anyway.You know the day you start loading the first program on XP it starts getting slower. So a nice clean re-install isnt too bad. You need to just make a decison and do it. You'll never get you rmind made up by asking that type of question here. LOLSuzi..

Thanks Suzi.No.. I am not worried about the loss data. For flight sim it doesn;t hold. For business databases it may make sense. No, that was not my concern at all.What I meant was... the difcullty to install from scratch etc.So, in your setup, do you have two Raptors in Raid 0. Thats it? Do you have a third disk? What about using a regular disk for the OS and flight sim and use the Raid 0 for addon sceneries... Which is my motive for a fast access disk anyway. taking time to boot the OS is not an issue. Its not like I am rebooting every hr.MAnny

Setting up a Raid0 Array isn't all that difficult...Once you've done it..you'll say to yourself.."That's It??"These are not *Complete* instructions!! Please consult your perticular mb manuel or Raid manuel if avaliable...This is just a brief overview which hopefully make some sense?? And let you know what to expect...This procedure could possiably vary depending on whichever motherboard is used..First Step:You must first obtain the correct SATA/Raid drivers from your motherboard cd and copy them to a floppy disk(That's the only catch..You'll need a floppy drive..Lots of folks forsake the floppy drive these days..he he)...You will use these SATA/Raid drivers later during the WindowsXP installation...Next:In your Bios you should see one(or possiably more) SATA/Raid Controller's..you'll want to "Enable Raid" on whichever controller you wish to use...Then you'll select which drives you want include in your raid array(ie: which ever SATA slots you have your Raptors plugged into)...For instance...I use Asus Motherboards...I have the option of two Sata/Raid controllers...Either nVidia Raid controller or Silicone Graphics Raid controller...I personally choose to use the nVidia controller...It has 4 sata plug-in's avaliable...I have my two Raptor150's plugged into the sata1 & sata2 slots...My third drive which I use for storage ect. is plugged into the sata3 slot...Sata4 is empty...Then I go into my bios...Enable the nVidia Raid controller...Within the nVidia controller I set the sata1&2 slots to "Enable Raid"...I leave the sata3&4 slots non raid...So therefore sata1&2(my 2 Raptor150's) will be my Raid0 Array...And slot#3(sata3) will be handeled like a normal sata interface...(Hope that makes some sense??...Basically all you've done is set the hardware up in the bios)Now for creating the Array...With the Asus Motherboards...During POST I get a message "Press F10 to enter Raid Set-Up Utitity"...The Raid Set-Up Utility is where you'll create/manage your Raid Array...Creating a Raid0 array should be fairly stright forward...You'll basically select the drives to be included in your Array(note: You'll probably only see the drives you've set-up in the bios earlier...)...Then you'll clear those discs...Select the Raid type (Stripe for raid0)...Set the Stripeing size....Create the Array....Once you have your Raid0 array established...You'll set it as either "Bootable"(ie you'll be installing OS on it)..Or not bootable(No OS installed)...Then it's on to installing windowsXP... If your going to install Windows on your Raid0 drives(set to bootable)...You'll need to have your floppy handy with the SATA/Raid drivers which you made earlier...These are required during the WindowXP installation in order for XP to see the drives...You'll be prompted by windows very early on in the XP installation(First thing...Just after the black "Inspecting your set-up" screen disapers and you get the Blue Instillation screen)...You'll see a message at the bottom of the Blue screen saying something to the effect of "Press F6 if you wish to install SCSI or Raid Controllers"...You will want to press F6 at that time and a bit later it will prompt you to install the floppy with the Drivers into drive A:...You'll just copy your (2)Raid drivers off the floppy...Then WindowsXP will install normally...After format and installation of the set up files..Upon the first re-boot...You'll then remove the floppy and your done with it...**If your not going to be using a bootable Raid0 array...I would read (study-up) on how to do that...I've never done it...So I feel a bit uncomfortable commenting much on that...**That's about it...Everything from there on out is business as usual...I hope I didn't make it sound too complicated as it's really not...Once you've been through it once..you'll have it down pat...It's really no biggie...I personally have my OS on my Raid0 array...I have the Raid0 partitioned like this...(Drive C:)The C: partition is 10gb in size...It houses WindowsXP, Antivirus, and all other OS support type stuff...Then I have a partition (Drive D:) which is the remainder of the drive for FS9 and all associated components...My third drive(sata3-Non Raid) is E: and is for data storage and back-up..ect...I saw you mention the possiability of adding a Raid0 array later...I've never done that either...I would imaging it's possiable...I'm just personally not familiar with how to install the SATA Raid drivers once XP is established?? I'd wanna check into that...I assume it could be done..I've just never had the need to try...Raid0 is worth it IMHO...Suzi makes all the point's I wanted to bring up reguarding the Pro's and Con's...Just keep your stuff backed-up...As we all should...Hope this isn't too confusing..Good Luck with your build!!Have Fun!!

After re-reading this morning...I realized I said all that garbage above...But didn't even hit on any of your questions or concerns...Sorry...Let's try this again..."I am concerened about my primary disk being the 10,000 RPM Raptor disk let alone in Raid mode because I have been reading that most of the motherboards do not recognize the SATA drive or if its in the RAID 0 configuration... Don't understand the details."A SATA motherboard will recognize the SATA drive...(or there is a problem somewhere)..I wonder if you may be hearing about Windows not recognizing a SATA drive?? Initionally..WindowsXP did not have SATA support...With older copies of Windows..it was neccessary to install SATA drivers in order for XP to see the drive(Just like setting up the Raid Array above..The F6 thing)I believe it was Service Pack 1b in which SATA support was add to WindowsXP...If your using a copy of Windows with that service pack or later...You should be Good to Go while installing a single/multiple SATA hard drive's provided they are not in Raid...If your setting up a Raid array..Then it's as I stated above..."So I am thinking.. to get a regular garden variety SATA 7500 RPM drive of 250MB or so capacity ($150) for the primary drive.. where my OS and even my FSim would reside"I wouldn't hesitate to use the Raptor for Everything...Just my opinion..If you want a 7200RPM drive...I'd personally use it as a utility drive...BTW...All the drives you get are going to be SATA..Right...Don't buy any IDE Hard Drives for this new build...Raptor or 7200(whatever)...Only get SATA drives....That may be your plans?? I just wanted to confirm...The "Garden Variety" comment had me wondering?? That's why I said that.."if the 10,000 RPM raptors fail, all I would have to do is reinstall the addon photo scenery and not mess with my OS or FSim"I guess anything is possiable...But I don't hear allot about Raptors Failing...They are good drives...I have had no trouble and I have had 4 of them..All sorts of configurations...They are Kewl...On a performance oriented/Gaming Rig...I see no need for anything other than a Raptor...Again..Just My Opinions!!Hope I got a bit closer to addressing your questions?? Sorry to ramble above...Have Fun!!

Hi Chuck.Thanks for that detailed explanation. After reading your posts, I am more at ease with going with the Raptor.I was at "Fry's" during the weekend and they had in addition to the Dual Core E6400 the "GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard". Then I was reading (on the newegg customer reviews) that with their BIOS, the system does not recognize the SATA drives unless and until you upgrade the BIOS. Well I downloaded their manual (PDF) and went through the documentation of how to upgrade their BIOS.. it doesn't seem to be a big deal.Now, I have another Q for you... if I may. :)For OCing, I need to get a cooler with fan. But many of the ones I am looking at seem to be either heavy or huge...as per the newegg user review posts. If you have the "LIAN LI PC-61 USB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retai" what cooler would you get/recommend for the Dual Core? BTW.. I like the Liam Li case. MAnnyedited to add:Here chuck.Quote"AFAIK you can't install XP SP2 on a raid0 array, it'll give you boot errors on first restart. You'll need a non slipstreamed SP2 XP CD to install from."http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-repli...cfm/582693.html

"AFAIK you can't install XP SP2 on a raid0 array, it'll give you boot errors on first restart. You'll need a non slipstreamed SP2 XP CD to install from."Naaa...I've only ever used WindowsXP SPII...I've slipstreamed all my copies of WindowsXP to SPII...I've never had a problem...Not sure what's up there?? Maybe I'm just lucky??

"Well I downloaded their manual (PDF) and went through the documentation of how to upgrade their BIOS.. it doesn't seem to be a big deal"This will be a good learning expierence for you...Much like the bios flash...None of this stuff is really all that tough...I think you'll enjoy it...A great sense of accomplishment when you get done...I've never used Gigabyte mb's...One thing I would recommend is that you do some quality reserch(ie: Have to learn to weed out some BS sometimes..Kind of a problem at the egg..)...I find Overclocking forums and places like AnandTech..Tom's Hardware ect. are good places to start...Normally some pretty good folks hangin' out around there...Hopefully studying really good will help avoid problems during your build...Some motherboard are "Picky" about the RAM..or maybe Power Supplies...Or like you found with the bios...A simple Bios flash can cure lots of "Issues"...If your reading allot of stuff that leads you to believe the mb's not stable...I'd look at choosing something else...You want a Rock Solid mb!!"For OCing, I need to get a cooler with fan. But many of the ones I am looking at seem to be either heavy or huge"I don't have a Core2Duo processor...I'd hate to give you a recommendation without having any expierence or recent studying on this...I'd probably recommend the OCing guys/forums on this question...There very well may be a perticular cooler that stands out..I just havn't done any of that reserch with the C2D...Most of the performance coolers are huge..I agree...Talk about Heavy...My T/T Blue Orb weighs a Bunch!!http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/156219.jpgMy poor 4000+ Rig/Carcas .. :( Too much parts robbing going on...This is the Zalman cnps9500...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/156218.jpg"If you have the "LIAN LI PC-61 USB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retai" what cooler would you get/recommend for the Dual Core? BTW.. I like the Liam Li case"Those Lian Li's are very nice cases...Great Quality!! Mine was a bit weak on cooling...Your's may be better?? I have PC-6070B...I just swapped out the fans to better performers..No biggie...Does a nice job now...Have Fun!!

Thanks Chuck.Yeah.. a Picture is worth a 1000 words. picture of just the cooler is pretty useless. It needs to be like the way you displayed to have the reference context.As far as the Motherboard. The reason I am thinking of the Gigabyte is because of thishttp://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1075792There, I see mainly two MB's.GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard for $125 or ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard costing $260Normally, I would have thought Motherboards are the most important component and would have bought the most expensive one.. That would have been the natural reaction... until I read what Mathijs of Aersoft posted here.http://www.forum.aerosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=8707"Personally I find mobo's boring and the difference in performance is minimal between models, so I tend to buy the cheapest model that has all the features I need. Any Asus will work fine, say 150 euro max"And what do you get for the $100 difference? another x16 Video slot. Its not required for FSX...so thats of no use to me. BTW.. my only goal for this PC is Flight sim FSX 100%. I already have 2 desktop and 3 laptops at home to all my other things.And moreover there aren't too many MB out there for the Core 2 Duo I believe.And BTW, It sure is interesting. I have learnt so much in the last two days. Intially I looked at getting one made from one of these two guyshttp://www.avadirect.com/product_details_c...or.asp?PRID=830orhttp://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/cfgc2d....onfigurator_topThese two are the most reasonable ones I have seen as far as custom builders are concerned.I compared the price between the components from newegg and getting the same stuff put together from these two vendors.the components alone come to around $2000 (if I build it), they could do it for arount $2,400-$2500. where I could justify the man hours and knowledge and the hassle free install the difference.But now, I am beginning to see its not just the $$$ savings, its the confidence to change and rebuild if necessary the next time by myself... I can see how satisfying that would be. Moreover, I have something to think about and do while waiting for the FSX.:)Manny

I think some of the more pricey mbs offer things like more SATAs,e tc, but I think the main thing is if you want to OC, some just provide better control over voltages, and to a lesser extent clocks, than others.As far as RAID0, I guess it is the hot thing. I set my system with the dual Raptors in RAID0 on an NF3 chip, but I'm not sure it's the greatest thing since sliced bread or anything. I've been nervous about playing around with partition magic and things like that on the RAID array, but so far everything I've done on it has worked just like they had been a single drive.The only catch I've had is that Vista (at least beta 2, I did an upgrade install of RC1 instead of clean install) won't install from a DVD boot. I had to do a dual-boot install and boot Win XP first, then start the Vista install. I had to get the original NF3 raid controller and SATA bus drivers for F6 install, just like for Win XP. NVidia has some drivers on their web site for NF4 and NF5 for Vista, but some folks seem to be having trouble with those. Of course, that probably will be sorted by the time Vista goes gold.scott s..