Help deciding between RAID 0 or 1 large SSD

[matrix808]

Amazon is selling a single 480 GB SSD for $260 right now, just saw NewEgg offering a 240 GB SSD for $130. I have an early 2011 mbp but i believe my optical uses only SATA 3. I do normal NAS RAID 1 backups so im not worried about a failed drive. Since the price for a total of 480 GB is going to pretty much be the same price, would it be better to get 2 240s and setup RAID 0, or just get the single 480?

edit* the 480 drive is a Vertex 3 and the 24o drive is an Agility 3

 

[Dark Void]

If you don't need the optical drive, set up RAID. If you still get some use out of it, go for the singular drive.

 

[jasonbro]

I think only the 13" 2011 mbp worked in raid if i'm not mistaken.

 

[matrix808]

I think only the 13" 2011 mbp worked in raid if i'm not mistaken.

i THOUGHT i had read its possible but id only get RAID maxed at 3gbs speeds because of my optical drive, could be mistaken though.

 

[jasonbro]

i THOUGHT i had read its possible but id only get RAID maxed at 3gbs speeds because of my optical drive, could be mistaken though.

yea but i think the kicker is the drive still recognizes it as a SATA3 connection so it runs at SATA 3. You cant force the drive to run at SATA 2.

Even so if you run it at SATA 2 RAID then that's just as fast as a single SATA 3 drive (no raid)

So there's no gain for you.

EDIT: If i were you i'd get a 128gb Samsung 830 (dropped to 94 on newegg last night) and move the HDD to the optical spot. Put the SSD in the HDD spot. Configure OSX to put the user folder and documents on the HDD and leave the SSD for Apps.

 

[matrix808]

yea but i think the kicker is the drive still recognizes it as a SATA3 connection so it runs at SATA 3. You cant force the drive to run at SATA 2.

Even so if you run it at SATA 2 RAID then that's just as fast as a single SATA 3 drive (no raid)

So there's no gain for you.

EDIT: If i were you i'd get a 128gb Samsung 830 (dropped to 94 on newegg last night) and move the HDD to the optical spot. Put the SSD in the HDD spot. Configure OSX to put the user folder and documents on the HDD and leave the SSD for Apps.

thanks! I actually have an Apple SSD and Vertex 4 256, but would like more memory. Saw the Vertex 3 (480) drop to $260 yesterday, so ordered that and plan to return my Vertex 4 to Amazon when it arrives.

I was just debating on canceling my Vertex 3 order when i saw the 240gb drop in price as well and thought of a faster RAID configuration, with the same memory and same price instead. From what you wrote i think i'll just stick with my Vertex 3 480gb.