-----Original Message-----
From: linux-raid-owner@vger.kernel.org [mailto:linux-raid-
owner@vger.kernel.org] On Behalf Of Henry, Andrew
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 7:12 AM
To: linux-raid@vger.kernel.org
Subject: OT: Tips for good hard drives for a home server

I know this is not md related at all, but this list is read by many
that are very familiar with hard drive technology, so it's probably the
best place to ask...hope you all don't mind...

I've been using an old laptop as a server with external USB Western
Digital MyBooks as my file system: RAID-0 on 2 500GB MyBooks.  I've had
quite a few problems with them and one person on this list even
suggested simply getting rid of them as they are really cr*p according
to his personal experience.  They are, so I am.  Running a 'server' on
a laptop turned out to not be the great idea I thought it was (although
inbuilt monitor/keyboard and 'ups' as well as small footprint/less heat
was a definite plus)

So I'm building a new tower server now as my home server and don't want
to make another poor purchasing decision.  The problem is that most HDD
manufacturers do not specify spindle count and concurrent
transactions/iops on their data sheets.

So if I was in the market for a 'standard' desktop internal 3.5" SATA
disc, which is the 'best' option?  I'm looking for 500GB in RAID-0 with
possibility of adding another 500GB array at a later date for RAID 0+1.

The price of ultra-performance desktop drives is a bit too steep for my
tastes, so WD Velociraptor or Hitachi UltraStars are not really what I
am after, unless of course there are no other options in terms of
performance in the standard desktop market.

Any tips appreciated.

 --andrew

Andrew -- Read the full specs, the ones not typically put on the outside of the box.  
Did you know that those 'standard' desktop SATA disks are typically rated for 2400
hrs use per year?

Granted that doesn't mean those cheap disks are going to die at the end of the 100th
day of use in any given year, but you can't ignore the fact that server class drives
are not just ultra-performance disks .. those drives are designed for 24x7x365 use.

So if you're trying to avoid making another poor purchasing decision, then DON'T be 
such a cheapskate, especially since you are running RAID0.  Buy the more expensive disks.