Software based raid???
 

OK here is the scenario... I have used 2 raid arrays over the past 4 or 5 years. A RAID 0 - 2 x WD Raptor 74GB. I fell in love. Last year I bought 5 used WD Raptor 160's using 4 in RAID 0 and have a spare. After the fact I was thinking I should have bought an SSD but I will make use of the 160's.

LATE 2012 a cheap (temporary) PSU destroyed most of my computer. I was reminded of something about RAID I knew - I need the same controller to read the array! I only lost my windows drive which had a few things of little importance.

I want to RUN Redundany copies - RAID 1 - WITH A SOFTWARE SOLUTION! If my mobo dies my data is SAFE. If I sell my Assassin 2 for a EVGA DARK (64GB Ramdisk?) I can switch over no problem (even if I need to reinstall windows).

I currently have 1 - 3TB WD Red HDD for storage, I want a redundant copy for convenience (there is nothing critical on the drive but 3TB is TONNES of stuff, 60% full and counting). I can see myself using 2 - 3TB drives with 2 more for redundancy before the Fall.

IS there a software based RAID solution worth using? Free would be great (if it is STABLE), but I am willing to buy software for this.

If there is a solution can I make a redundant copy of an 120GB SSD onto a 160GB HDD?

Maybe a back up solution (rather than raid) which can back up and make the back up a USABLE copy incase the SSD fails?

You can convert it to a Dynamic Disk in Windows and then create a Mirrored volume. That's effectively RAID1 at a purely software level, granted it would only show up under Windows.

If you plugged the drives into another non-Windows machine, you'd see 2 disks with identical contents.

Assuming you stick to Intel as your platform and use ICHR for your RAID, it transfers perfectly fine between motherboards as well.

AWESOME! Thanks JD I will research that.
Odds are I will buy an extra SSD (for backup) in time.

I would have LOVED to buy an AMD system late last year when my old one failed but I wanted a POWER HOUSE PC really bad. Maybe the next rig will be AMD in 3 - 5 years. Supporting the little guy, promoting competition and such. I have an AMD 6870 for that reason.

The Intel RAID is pretty slick for what it is. It work really well and it's quite user friendly.