Multiple SATA HDs

[azianai]

So in the old IDE days, you can set 1 HDD as master and the other as slave. Is the only way to use 2 SATA HDDs or more to set them in a RAID config? Or would it be as easy as basically plugging in another SATA drive? Haven't worked with SATA enough to know about RAID or anything that specific.

[onebxr]

I just plug em in and rename the new drive and format it. Its simple. I now have a C,D,E,F drive on my HTPC.
-1

[screwballl]

standard SATA has each on their on channel versus PATA can have 2 devices per channel. When you use SATA + RAID, just plug the 2 drives that are the same size into the SATA RAID ports and usually you can start the process by starting the setup in the BIOS. Most newer boards include an onboard RAID chip and 2 ports for just this purpose.

[Tyreal]

Yep. No need to designate master/slave for SATA drives. Just put them in, format and your done. RAID is just a way of setting up your drives.

[azianai]

oh cool. Cause i partitioned my drive for XP/Vista dualboot, and i realize im runnin outta space on the 500gb, and maxing out my 2 USB externals (250gb x 2).

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by azianai

oh cool. Cause i partitioned my drive for XP/Vista dualboot, and i realize im runnin outta space on the 500gb, and maxing out my 2 USB externals (250gb x 2).

make sure the 2 SATA drives are connected to the proper RAID ports on the mobo or add-in card, you can't just plug 2 drives in and expect it to RAID on any 2 ports.
For example on my P965-DS3 mobo, it has 2 purple ports for Gigabyte RAID (called G-RAID), all the rest are single channel standard SATA ports.
Just a heads up.

[azianai]

well do i need to use raid? or can i just use it normally. Cause my MB has 4 SATA slots, its color coded 2 reds and 2 blacks (alternating, r,b,r,b). I just want to use it as a media storage drive really. All i got right now is 1 drive connected via SATA. My DVD burner is still IDE.

[screwballl]

if you choose to not use RAID then it doesn't matter what ports you use. Plug it in and start the computer up, you should be able to format or do whatever else is needed in Windows.

[azianai]

Is there any significant benefit to putting the drives in Raid? If im just using the 2nd one purely for storage. And time to hunt for a SATA drive deal lol

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by azianai

Is there any significant benefit to putting the drives in Raid? If im just using the 2nd one purely for storage. And time to hunt for a SATA drive deal lol

Depends on the type of RAID. HERE is an outline of the different types of RAID and the + and - about them.