SSD and HDD vs Raid 0 array

[stefanDB]

hello guys, I am going to build a gaming PC for a friend, and I would like the PC to have at least 2TB of storage and be pretty fast. there are really two main options for me:

1. get a 240GB SSD and a 2TB HDD. this will cost around 160 euros. the PC will boot fast but only the games stored on the SSD will load fast, everything else will be slowed down by the HDD

 

2. get 2 1TB HDDs and run them in raid 0. this would give me 2TB of decently fast storage, but not quite as fast as having an SSD. however now all of the storage operates at the same speed, and you don't have to worry about where you are going to save which files. there is ofcourse a bigger risk of losing all data, but this option will only cost around 100 euros. 

 

which of these options do you think is better? I am leaning towards the second, because it is really easy to back up your files by storing them on a cloud of some sort or on an external drive, and games can always be reinstalled. I do expect there to be more than 250GB of games on this PC so it would be great if we can get all of them to load quickly.

am I overlooking something here? what is your opinion about raid 0 VS using an SSD and HDD?

 

 

[79wjd]

No question the first. While HDD load times are slower, they're not terribly slow and an ssd makes the computer so much better -- even if it's just for things like the OS/chrome/the most played game/etc. RAID 0 also sucks due to reliability reasons. 

 

There is another option -- getting a 2tb HDD and caching it with the SSD. I know @MageTank uses Primocache.

[Technomancer__]

Get the Samsung 850 evo 256gb for windows and most used software

+

Toshiba p300 3tb (3tb is the sweetpoint) for games + other sofrware

And don't raid them

[stefanDB]

Just now, Ethocreeper said:

Get the Samsung 850 evo 256gb for windows and most used software

+

Toshiba p300 3tb (3tb is the sweetpoint) for games + other sofrware

And don't raid them

why? why no raid? I don't need a very good boot time, I just want everything to be decent. 

[manikyath]

a 7200rpm hard drive is plenty fast enough to load games from, putting windows on an SSD ensures that everything around your games remains snappy.

[Technomancer__]

24 minutes ago, stefanDB said:

why? why no raid? I don't need a very good boot time, I just want everything to be decent. 

Ssd insures windows + some other software runs smoothly. Also provides very good boot time

A good 7200 HDD like the toshiba p300 3t is enough for games and other software and its cheap and durable

I own it and as far its very good