160JD RAID or single 74GB Raptor?

I'm debating on whether to get a WD 160JD RAID 0 array or a 74GB Raptor for general Windows use. I do eat a lot of storage space with CD images, music, and large game installs (UT2k4!!), so the space is a concern. Would the 160JD RAID 0 array be nearly as fast running through the ICH5R on my IS7 as the single 74GB Raptor?

Not really, no. In most cases(General Windows use being the main one) a Raptor will be faster. Since it seems like your budget is ~$200, why not get a 36GB Raptor and a 160GB 7200rpm drive? It's a good compromise.

tom10167 said:

Not really, no. In most cases(General Windows use being the main one) a Raptor will be faster. Since it seems like your budget is ~$200, why not get a 36GB Raptor and a 160GB 7200rpm drive? It's a good compromise.

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I already have a 120GB IDE drive, but IDE ribbons are a nuisance to route inside a Sonata. I might just get a 36GB Raptor somewhere down the road, and the extra space as I need it. Do you know if there is a noticable difference in general system usage between a Raptor and a 7200RPM/8MB Cache IDE drive to justify spending the extra $$?

You can get a 120GB SATA drive, they're no more expensive than IDE these days.

Raptor's speed(At least the 74s) are worldly faster than any 7200 drive. Anyone who has used a Raptor will agree.