RAID setup - exclude SSD

[SherpaJones]

I would like to set up a RAID on my 3 1TB hard drives, but not include my sata ssd, but my BIOS wants to include all writeable drives on the SATA controller.  I'll give you my system specs and then elaborate a bit more:

 

i7 7700K 4.2GHz

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura

32GB DDR4 Ram @ 2400

GTX 1060 6gb

Samsung 970 PRO 512GB M.2 NVMe

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SATA SSD

3 assorted 1TB HDD Drives

 

I am using the 970 Pro as a boot drive as well as running a couple of programs that demand high read/write speeds.  The 850 EVO is used for installing low priority programs and user data (music, photos, files, etc.)  The hope is to use the 3 1TB drives in RAID as a local backup.  I have off site backup as well through software utilities, but would feel a little more secure having my own backup on site.

 

When I go into BIOS to set up the raid, it wants to include my 850 EVO, and I see no way around it.  I have thought of getting a PCIe card with a SATA interfae, but am not sure if the BIOS would see that card as another SATA controller and want to include it in the RAID setup.  I've never set up a RAID before so a lot of this is learning experience for me.  If anyone can offer some advice or tips I would really appreciate it.
 

Thanks!

[Windows7ge]

It's been a long time since I've done this but from memory when you sent a SATA controller to RAID mode every device plugged into a port on said controller falls under RAID control. If your motherboard supports multiple controllers like native & a Marvel controller. Use the Marvel controller for the RAID and leave the native one for your boot device.

 

Buying a PCI_e HBA should exclude those drives from RAID unless otherwise configured.

[SherpaJones]

Ok, it sound like you are saying that the BIOS will set up RAID based on the controller, so a separate controller can be left in AHCI mode and remain separate from the controller that is set to RAID mode.  A PCIe SATA card might be all I need for this.  

[Windows7ge]

24 minutes ago, SherpaJones said:

Ok, it sound like you are saying that the BIOS will set up RAID based on the controller, so a separate controller can be left in AHCI mode and remain separate from the controller that is set to RAID mode.  A PCIe SATA card might be all I need for this.  

If your motherboard only has one controller then yes.