Install SSD into Existing Raid 0 Setup

[HerrDeacon]

Hey everyone, new guy here. I work on computers all day as a programmer but have not done anything hardware related in quite some time and so could really use some help. I want to build a custom PC in the future and have started doing a lot of reading to try and catch up just so I can be better informed when I start planning it out (this site is amazing, lots of great info). I apologize in advance if I use the wrong terminology along the way. 

 

In the meantime, I'd like to give my 2009 Dell Studio XPS 435 MT a little boost by installing a SSD. I was just looking at my existing set-up and realized that it has two HDD's running in RAID 0, which came as a surprise to me, totally forgot about this. So, I'm wondering will installing a SSD and using it as a boot disc be as straight-forward as installing it, cloning the HDD onto it, then switching the boot order in the BIOS?

 

Also, once I have the SSD setup and the PC booting off it, can I then revert the two HDD's to a non-RAID setup? I know I'll loose the data that is on them but that is not a big deal (I'll have everything backed up). If this is possible, how is this accomplished? I'm not very familiar with the lower level workings of PC's like the BIOS and such.

 

2009 Dell Studio XPS 435 MT Specs:

• Intel Core i7-920, 2.66 Bloomfield
• Windows 10
• 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz
• AMD Radeon HD 7700
• Dual 640GB HDD in RAID 0

 

Thanks

[Andrew Storlie]

I wouldnt raid 0 an ssd into a raid with hdds

Your gonna have preformance issues. Use the ssd separately for a boot drive and main programs.

[HerrDeacon]

I wouldnt raid 0 an ssd into a raid with hdds

Your gonna have preformance issues. Use the ssd separately for a boot drive and main programs.

 

Yes, that is my intention but I probably never stated it clearly. I don't want the SSD in the RAID setup, I just want it as a boot drive, and then once that's done, un-RAID the two HDD's into just a regular setup two HDD configuration for files and such. Basically, I don't want a RAID setup anymore and want a SSD boot drive.

[Andrew Storlie]

Yes, that is my intention but I probably never stated it clearly. I don't want the SSD in the RAID setup, I just want it as a boot drive, and then once that's done, un-RAID the two HDD's into just a regular setup two HDD configuration for files and such. Basically, I don't want a RAID setup anymore and want a SSD boot drive.

youll have to transfer all your data to an external drive, un-raid and format. The install OS on ssd and start fresh