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Now that I'm using my older Abit KT7-RAID mobo in my spare PC with my older, SLOW Maxtor 5400rpm IDE HDDs (which aren't using the mobos raid connectors now) AND they're also different sizes (8.4g and 13.6 g), does anyone think that it'd be advantageous to run them both on the 2 seperate RAID connections and have them run a raid array as is (w software too, yes) OR would I be better off just forgetting that idea and buying 2 identical IDE HDDs instead if the price is right? It's just a spare box now but it's there so I might as well "ABUSE" it right?

I never did use that mobo in a true, ideal raid array and I'm wondering if it's worth the bother, like would I notice a real difference? I know it would be like SCSI but I also know that the present older HDDs are slow as is.

There's usually no problem using two mis-matched drives in a RAID array - the array will only be the double the size of the smaller drive, though. You'll have a 17Gb array NOT a 22Gb.

I've had the same 2 HDDs with that mobo in a raid-array before but it's been a while and I don't recall being "wowed" by its (seemed) HDD speed as I was with SCSI. Lets say that this time, I'd like to do it right with 2 new (or good used?) identical HDDs (not losing any HDD space). Any opinions on what's better than others for this? I don't need ALOT of space but I should go for more than what I presently have and a faster rpm if I'm going to do it at all.

I'm using two 30Gb drives (one Maxtor ATA66 and one WDC ATA100) - in a RAID striped array with an IWill ATA66 controller.

I can't compare it to SCSI because I don't have access to a modern SCSI system, but I was definately "wowed" by the performance compared to a single ATA66.

My personal benchmark is Day of Defeat, which I play alot, and takes a LONG time to load a map on my wife's system with a single ATA66 drive. My raid array is SUBSTANTIALLY faster.

I would think the modern ATA133 drives in a RAID array would be VERY impressive.

WHAT DRIVES? I'd get some of those new Maxtor ATA133 drives - make sure to get the 7200 RPM "L" model "Quiet Drives" which only cost $10 - $15 more but use fluid dynamic bearings on the spindle motor. They're supposed to be a lot quieter than their standard drives. I know NewEgg.com carries them.

If you have bucks to spend you could go for faster 10K RPM drives, but be aware that most of them require additional cooling and they ain't cheap.

Me, personally, I'm considering upgrading to dual Maxtor 60Gb ATA133 drives and a Promise RAID ATA133 controller. Only thing I'm not looking forward to is performing a clean install of Win2K (since I'll be changing the controller, there's little hope I'd be able to copy the old array to the new one).

Frankly, I'm perfectly happy with my current 60Gb ATA66 RAID array - I'm not running out of room and performance is more than adequate, but I need a new drive for my wife's computer anyway, and I could use a spare large drive for computer servicing (I carry around a 10Gb drive for making Ghost images of client's drives, but I could use something bigger). If I upgrade to dual 60s I'll have the two old 30 Gb drives available to play with.

Thanks FP,
I think 2 of these will do and even though not the quiet drives, they've got to be quieter than the X15s which are louder than any other HDDs I've heard but still alot quieter now than the newest, loud (7,000rpm) but necessary cpu fan for the OCd 1.4 t-bird (which is a hot running cpu).

At Newegg:
MAXTOR 40GB 7200RPM Model # 6L040J2 -D740X OEM, DRIVE ONLY
Specifications:
Size: 40 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: 8ms
RPM:7200
Cache 2MB

They're now $71 each there so when I get some extra "burn $$$" I'll order a couple. The same HDD in the quiet drive version is NS and has no listed 'seek time'. The 8ms seek time for the one above is pretty good for IDE and the machine's also not running 24/7 like my main one either so a little noise is OK.

I think that is a quiet drive. All the quiet drives have the letter "L" in the model.

Good price.

For what its' worth, I have two 40gig Maxtor D740x (non-fluid bearing) in RAID-0 on my Epox 8K7A+ (highpoint controller) Works great and I've never had a problem. I've made up my mind though, my next system will have a SCSI drive for boot/games (~18gig) and a smaller one (~10gig) for video editing. The rest will probably be on a 100gig IDE drive that will store all my music/videos/misc stuff that doesn't require a quick hard-drive.

All D740X drives have an L at the beginning. The one Evil is looking at is a regular drive, which really isn't too loud. The J at the end makes it regular. I run 2 60GB Maxtor D740X ATA133 in a RAID config now and love it, to a certain degree. There is obviously a compatibility problem with the Maxtor drives and the Highpoint HPT372 controller. I'm waiting for some rebates to come in so I can order a Promise FastTrax TX2000 ATA133 controller. A PCI controller will allow for more mobo selections, as when I upgraded last time I had to have a Highpoint controller due to my existing RAID array, however the preformance with the Highpoint and other issues (controller hangs at boot-up sometimes?) is making me get a Promise PCI RAID controller.