Here's some information regarding raid and basic function, I hope its not to technical. I consider it to be a viable solution and one that peope should be aware of, extreme performance HDDs have that wow factor, but lack storage space and are very expensive.
RAID - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The core i7 introduced a new socket design, while many heatsinks are capable of cooling the new socket design it required manufacturers to provide compatible brackets to secure it, some went the entire route and just introduced a new cooler. As for the old drive if you could find a extrenal IDE housing it would eliminate the need for any ribbon cables and you could use a simple usb connection for file transfers.
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