Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Drives (RAID) is the general solution for requirements in which performance, storage capacity or data safety of a single drive isn't sufficient. While this usually is the case in server systems, workstations and high performance desktops sometimes take advantage of RAID setups as well. Since two or more drives must be used, a RAID array can be somewhat expensive, and this cost can be inflated further depending on your controller choice.


Our recent roundup of eight-channel SATA II RAID controllers revealed that most manufacturers offer great value. However, only one of these cards actually offered a RAID mode that can satisfy data protection requirements that exceed the capabilities of a RAID 5 setup. Although RAID 5 allows one array drive to fail without leading to data loss, this means that as soon as a drive does fail, you are without protection. Your stored data will be at risk until the array is rebuilt, and a second drive could potentially fail any moment.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/01/...d_controllers/