Looking to add RAID+1 to my computer

Hi All,

I currently have a Desktop computer that has been on for 24/7 since 2006. The original 160GB SATA drive is still humming away, but I want to make sure my data is safe. I really can't afford to have the machine fail or take the time to reinstall windows and my programs.

I would like to install RAID in my Desktop that currently doesn't have RAID at all.


The PC has a free PCI slot, so I know I need a PCI board. I have a brand new 500GB drive that is VIRGIN. I will be buying a 2nd new 500GB drive and a RAID board at the same time. I may decide to buy a 250GB drive instead and reformat an old 250GB Drive, and use the new 500GB drive for additional storage. This would bump my PC to 3 internal HDDs.

I understand that I should really get a RAID card that has a build in BIOS, so that the hardware controls the drives, and not my OS (XP) and the memory my other programs need.

That brings up 2 questions:
1- What would be a good card to get (preferably from NewEgg), that will cost AROUND $50 or less. (More is ok too).
2- What is a good method to determine how big of a power supply I need in the PC? I am upgrading from 2 HDD's to 3, plus adding a RAID card. The PC already has 2 CD/DVD Burners, a M-Audio 1010LT, and a Syba 6 serial IO card, and is maxed out on RAM. This is a Compaq computer, so I know they used "bargain" components.

Like I said, the PC has been online day and night since I purchased it early 2006.

Thanks for the help

I could never suggest a RAID card that isn't performed in hardware. I could not find any PCI RAID cards on newegg I would suggest. To give you an idea of the kind of card I would suggest check out this link (unfortunately it is a PCI-E card):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816116075&cm_re=pci_raid_controller-_-16-116-075-_-Product

Also ditch the idea of using older drives since the likely hood of finding a decent IDE RAID card is really slim you will most likely have to go with two new SATA drives.

Depending on the processor family, memory specs, and video card I would say you should be good right around 450 - 500 watts if this is a non gaming computer.