3x(1TB) vs 2x(2TB)

[amstel]

Hey all,

 

am using a pc with i3 processor, 8GB ram DDR3

and thinking of installing unRAID system.

 

I would like to know which design would be better for me:

3pcs of 1TB each, where 1TB for parity and rest for storage. means 2TB for use.

or

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

which design would be better?

 

Thanks alot!

[JorgeB]

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

This one, storage space is the same, write speed will be considerably faster until you add more disks, in effect works like RAID1.

[amstel]

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

This one, storage space is the same, write speed will be considerably faster until you add more disks, in effect works like RAID1.

 

Thanks for the answer.

 

for torrent down/up 24/7,

media sharing for home network,

storing photos and personal files,

 

which should I prefer?

WD RED or BLACK?

or else?

 

Thanks.

[mr-hexen]

Red. and use a cache drive if you're running torrents. The cache drive is used as the "downloads" drive so your array isn't spinning 24/7.

[amstel]

64GB ssd will do the job for the cache drive?

[mr-hexen]

If you already have it, give it a try. If you're going to buy one, get atleast 128gb as they are really cheap now a days.

[theone]

Good luck 

[Frank1940]

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

This one, storage space is the same, write speed will be considerably faster until you add more disks, in effect works like RAID1.

 

It is also much cheaper when you decide to add additional storage to your array if you have a 2TB parity drive.  The cost for an additional 2TB HD is much less then the cost of two 1TB drives.  The 'sweet spot' right now is at the 3TB size.    It is something to think about--- at least for the parity drive.

[amstel]

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

This one, storage space is the same, write speed will be considerably faster until you add more disks, in effect works like RAID1.

 

It is also much cheaper when you decide to add additional storage to your array if you have a 2TB parity drive.  The cost for an additional 2TB HD is much less then the cost of two 1TB drives.  The 'sweet spot' right now is at the 3TB size.    It is something to think about--- at least for the parity drive.

 

 

let say I use 2TB for parity,

I guess it is possible to replace it later with 3TB HDD and use the old parity HDD as another storage,

right?

[Frank1940]

2pcs of 2TB each, where 2TB for parity and 2TB for use...

 

This one, storage space is the same, write speed will be considerably faster until you add more disks, in effect works like RAID1.

 

It is also much cheaper when you decide to add additional storage to your array if you have a 2TB parity drive.  The cost for an additional 2TB HD is much less then the cost of two 1TB drives.  The 'sweet spot' right now is at the 3TB size.    It is something to think about--- at least for the parity drive.

 

 

let say I use 2TB for parity,

I guess it is possible to replace it later with 3TB HDD and use the old parity HDD as another storage,

right?

 

Absolutely!  However, you will only gain 2TB of storage space whereas if you spend the extra $20 now for the 3TB parity, your future purchase would gain you 3TB and that 3TB HD might be close to the cost of a 2TB today!  (My principle when purchasing HD's is to look for the sweet spot.  You will never suffer from buyer's remorse.)