UNSOLVED
adding raid support
I'm currently looking into getting a 74GB sata WD raptor drive and 2 250 GB sata drives and getting a new computer. The XPS has 2 sata connectors that can be used in raid configuration. What I want is a system that has the 74GB drive as the boot, and then 2 250 drives mirrored off each other and used for all my data. Since most computer only have 2 connectors for sata I'm looking at getting an explansion card for around $50. But I haven't been able to find any with raid support on them. All they provide is just a normal config. I'm either looking at putting the 2 250s on the motherboard and booting the 74 off the expansion card, if I can, or I would rather put the 74 on the motherboard since the motherboard sata connectors are on a faster bus than the PCI expansion card would be. Since 74 drive will hold all temp, programs, windows, etc. I want it to run fast. The 250s are for data so they aren't as much of a concern. Just need to know what will work.
TomXPS
1310 Posts
153
0
Posted February 23rd, 2004 16:00
Yes the XPS SATA controller does support raid. I added another SATA drive to my system and was able to setup RAID 1 mirror. Have read some messages on the board about adding another SATA controller to there XPS system, but not sure on how you would boot off it. There are some setting to set your boot sequence but never really had any reason change them.
What you want to do makes sense. Having someone build your system may work out better for your needs, but I did find the XPS system to fill my needs well. All my previous computers were build from components, but this time around the pricing of the XPS system seem to be good for what I wanted to buy.
Here a link to a discussion about adding another SATA controller.
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_harddrive&message.id=62155