RAID Setup With 3 Drives

I'm ordering a computer for someone, and I'd like to have the following RAID configuration using 3 harddrives:

1st drive - boot/OS drive
2nd & 3rd in RAID 1

So I want to have my first drive store my OS files (not RAIDed), then the second drive holds all my data (backed up in the RAID). Is this possible? I'm not able to select this configuration on Dell's web site.

Another option (maybe this is better) is to just have two harddrives in RAID 1 with a two partitions on each drive, where both partitions are part of the RAID. The first would hold the OS, and the second would have all my critical data. Is this even possible?

The first is possible, but Dell will never set that up for you. You can do it yourself, however.

The second would not work as you describe it. When you put something in a RAID one, it's like one of them goes away. Keep in mind, that in a RAID one, the second drive is nothing more than a mirror of the first, so whatever you do to the RAID, it will be mirrored on the second drive.

I personally don't see the advantage unless you're running a server. I just keep my drives seperate.

My personal setup right now (2 x 120GB SATA drives):

Drive 1:
C (30Gb): OS and other software like Office, Spybot, etc.
D (60Gb): Games
E (remaining): Backups, misc

Drive 2:
H: (60Gb) Music, videos, pictures
I: (60Gb) More backups, other misc

So I can lose pretty much any of those partitions and be fine. I'm backed up in multiple places and my OS can be reinstalled without touching anything else.

EDIT: I should also add that I do have a RAID card installed that I use, but only because it's a faster controller than my motherboard SATA controller. I don't actually have a RAID array setup.

It's a really important machine. Not exactly a server, but it holds invaluable data (for my boss), and there will be a lot of programs installed, so some major setup.

So if I make a partition on one, will it be mirrored to the other drive?

yea my setup is

C: (60GB) Operating System
D: (80GB) Backup Mostly Progrmaming Stuff
E: (250GB) Backup Movies / Games
F: (80GB) Backup Music / Pictures

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChadJohnson

So if I make a partition on one, will it be mirrored to the other drive?

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I've never done it personally, but I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. It is a mirror of the drive, after all.