Help in Hard Drive Choices??

[Ray&Paula]

Hi,
First I would like to thank all you guys for your help in my recent posts! As some of you know, I am currently building a workstation for video editing. I am basically building a system very close to the specs of (Vegas world and others) Mike Kujbida & John Rofrano. "A special thanks to the both of you by the way"
I have a few questions in regards to what would be the best choices in hard drives. As of right now the drive configurations are as follows;

Drive 1: Seagate 146GB SAS Cheetah 15,000rpm
Drive 2 & 3: WD (2 x 500GB) WD5001ABYS SATA2 7,200RPM
Raid 0 configuration.

I am considering changing drives 2 & 3 to either 10,000 or 15,000 rpm drives. I have a few questions for you experienced guys that are in the know;
1) Normally the configuration for drives 2 & 3 would be used in Raid 0 as shown. If I was to go with 10,000 or 15,000 rpm hard drives, would I be able to run them in a Raid 0 configuration? Maybe I wouldn't want to.

2) Would I be better off with the higher rpm drives as separate drives? If so, how would you use each drive in Vegas pro 8 and DVD Architect?

Since I am currently putting together a new system, I want to make the right choices. I value all of your opinions and suggestions. Below is what I have configured so far with the exception of two monitors. I am currently trying to find a good OS LCD 22" or 24" monitor and a good LCD TV for video/editing. As always thanks for you advise and help. Ray

OS: MICROSOFT Windows XP Professional w/SP2
Case: ANTEC SONATA III 500 (black) ATX Case w/extra120mm fan
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750 watt ATX 12v
Motherboard: INTEL DX48BT2 Core 2 Extreme Processor
CPU: INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q6700 2.66G (1066Mhz)
CPU Cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9700 NT copper base cpu cooling fan
Memory: 4GB (2 of the following kits needed)
CRUCIAL ballistix BL2KIT12864BA1608 2gb kit (1gb x 2) match pair 1600mhz
OS Hard Drive 1: SEAGATE 146gb ST3146855ss 3gbit SATA scsi 15000rpm 8mb
Hard drives 2 & 3: WD (2 x 500GB) WD5001ABYS SATA2 RAID 0 7200RPM 16mb
DVD Writer/Burner: PLEXTOR px-810sa 18x DVD+/-rw dual layer/dvd-ram SATA internal
Graphics Card: Nvidia Quadro FX3700 512mb pci express 2.0 dual dvi/tv-out
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster x-fi extreme audio 7.1 24-bit pci express
TV Tuner: Diamond TV Wonder HD600 pci express tv tuner
Networking Card: ZONET ZEW1602 802.11g 54mbps wireless pci desktop network adapter card

[budz]

Instead of the PLEXTOR 810sa dvd burner and get a SAMSUNG S203B drive or a PIONEER 215 drive. PLEXTOR no longer manufactures their own dvd burners, they're rebadged drives made by other companies such as LITEON. You're better off using a SATA SAMSUNG S203B or PIONEER SATA 215 drives. I'd also suggest using a GIGABYTE motherboard than a INTEL one. Just my 2 cents!

[Ray&Paula]

Thanks Budz for the heads up! I'll check it out. Ray

[poisondeathray]

RAID-0 is only useful for increased STR, you can benefit from the increased STR in video editing scenarios; the biggest drawback is 2x the chance of drive failure - do frequent backups

I don't see a SAS card in your configuration. How are you going to plug the 15k.5 in?

Why do you want an SAS drive? They are loud, hot, noisy and expensive (add in the cost for an SAS adapter). STR is good, low access times are good, and the high I/O is good for server applications, but their performance is slightly worse than average 7200rpm drives for desktop applications.

The Ballistix are nice, but they are based on Micron D9 chips - they overclock very nicely but their longevity is questionable (Just in my close group of friends, we had to RMA about 20 sets of ram within the last year - different manufacturers, some even running @ stock speeds. The lifetime warranty is nice, but a PITA to go through the process so frequently). Many others have reported the same findings on other forums.

I would get 2x2GB modules instead of 4x1GB. 2 modules will run cooler (less voltage), and more stable (even if you don't overclock). You even have to option to go 4x4GB later on (if you upgrade to x64 OS).

I suggest G.skill which are based on promod chips, run cooler than the micron D9's. Their failure rate is much lower than memory based on the D9's. You can get 2x2GB for $90 shipped at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145&Tpk=F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ)

For your auxillary hard drives, those 500GB are nice, but they are last generation models. Their platter size is less dense than the new generation (250GB vs 320GB platters), subsequently performance not as great. You will get about 20% increase in performance (in STR) with the WD6400AAKS. Even real world benchmarks are much better. Search around for reviews, they are quite a few. Slightly more expensive @ $130 vs. $100, but noticeably quicker.

Do you plan on running @ stock speeds? or Overclock? If stock, that's the only reason that you could justify a Q6700 over a Q6600. Even so, I would wait until Apr.21 for the Intel price drops. (The Q6700 $527=>$270)

[Ray&Paula]

Hi,
SAS: You're right, I do want SATA. Thanks for pointing it out.
Memory: I agree about Crucial Ballistix. I have been reading some negative things about them also. I looked at the Patriot 2x2GB which look nice. They also have a lifetime warranty. I haven't heard anything negative yet, but i'm sure someone will. Yes, 2x2GB would be much better. I'll check out the G.skil
Hard Drives: I'll look at the WD6400AAKS drive
Q6700 over a Q6600: I more than likely be running stock for the most part, but I would like the option of overclocking.
Thanks for your input! I learned a few things and appreciate it. Ray

[edDV]

A RAID is only needed for uncompressed capture. There is no benefit for DV/HDV data rates that I think you said you intend to use. Usless you are capturing from SDI (SD or HD) or uncompressed from HDMI or analog Component (e.g. Black Magic or Aja cards) a RAID is more trouble than it is worth.

SAS would imply an external pro video server.