2 Raptors in RAID vs 1 single Raptor

[Mr.X]

Which of the following would increase my overall HD performance:

-buying a second 250GB hard drive for RAID-0
-buying a single 150GB Raptor
-buying two 74GB Raptors for RAID-0

I was thinking that the second option would be the best choice. What do you think?

PS: My hard drive is already completely optimized for the best possible performance and I perform maintenance tasks at least once a week.

[[XC] hipno650]

what make is your drive right now? all of those would increase performance but eh third would have the best performance.

[Mr.X]

As you can see in my sig, I have a WD drive right now. Would the third solution be much faster than the second one? I think I prefer getting one large one over two smaller ones.

If I were to get single 150GB Raptor, what would be the best way to arrange my files and software? Windows and games in the Raptor, and everything else on my 250GB drive?

[couppi]

IMHO, the 74gb raptors in raid0 wins hands down. You won't notice that much of a difference from a heavily optimized newish SATAII drive to a single 150gb raptor.

[perkam]

Second 250GB. (Most cost effective option)

But i really do hope you are defragmenting, scanning for viruses and spyware and cleaning up uneeded files on the hd regularly.

Just ONE way to do this is to have at least 3 partions:

One for windows, one for backupped stuff and important documents, and one for gaming, benchmarking and other files that you can delete stuff from to clear up hd space without thinking twice.

I have one 60GB IDE that i use...and it has 25GB of free space at ALL times. (TONS of games, benchie progs and regular programs)

Perkam

[LuckyNV]

Which of the following would increase my overall HD performance:

-buying a second 250GB hard drive for RAID-0
-buying a single 150GB Raptor
-buying two 74GB Raptors for RAID-0

I was thinking that the second option would be the best choice. What do you think?

PS: My hard drive is already completely optimized for the best possible performance and I perform maintenance tasks at least once a week.

raid raptors would be the performance leader in benches, but in games, little to no improvement really, file editing and transfers should see a noticeable improvement

[Mr.X]

I don't want to get a raptor just to do benchmarks. Actually, I do very little of them. My main goal is to have an overall faster system (aka faster start-up, shutdown, loading etc.). I do keep my HDD drive fairly clean for optimal performance but I'm sure a Raptor would make a bigger difference.

So, you're saying that two 74s in RAID 0 win in the performance department, but they surely loose when it comes to cost. I can get a 150GB raptor for 275 Euros whereas for two 74GB raptors will cost me about 350E.
Do you think it's worth the extra cost? Can you give me an example of how much faster two raptors in RAID are over a single one?

EDIT: I've changed the title to a more suitable one, since I've pretty much ruled out my first option. It's either Raptors or nothing.