5.4RAID configurations

The motherboard comes with two RAID controllers that allow you to configure Serial ATA hard disk drives as RAID sets.

•The Silicon Image® Sil3132 RAID controller allows you to configure RAID 1 and RAID 0 sets on the external Serial ATA hard disk drives.

•The NVIDIA® nForce™ 680i SLI Southbridge includes a high performance SATA RAID controller that supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5 and JBOD for six independent Serial ATA channels.

5.4.1RAID definitions

RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives is required for this setup.

RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same size or larger than the existing drive.

RAID 0+1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 0+1 configuration you get all the benefits of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use four new hard disk drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.

RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID

5 configuration is best suited for transaction processing, relational database applications, enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three identical hard disk drives for this setup.

JBOD (Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives that are not yet configured as a RAID set. This configuration stores the same data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance benefits.

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Chapter 5: Software support

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Asus Striker Extreme manual RAID configurations, RAID definitions
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Striker Extreme specifications

The Asus Striker Extreme is a high-performance motherboard designed primarily for enthusiasts and gamers who demand the best from their systems. Released as part of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) line-up, this motherboard is built around the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI chipset, enabling exceptional performance in multi-GPU setups.

One of the standout features of the Striker Extreme is its support for NVIDIA SLI technology, allowing users to install multiple graphics cards to achieve higher frame rates and improved visual performance in games and applications. With its 5 PCI Express x16 slots, the motherboard facilitates extensive expandability options, making it an ideal choice for users looking to build a robust gaming rig.

The Striker Extreme also comes with advanced overclocking capabilities. The motherboard features the exclusive Asus AI Suite, which allows users to easily tweak various system settings, including voltage, FSB, and memory timings, directly from the Windows interface. This makes it accessible for both novice and experienced overclockers to fine-tune their systems for maximum performance without the need to dive into the BIOS frequently.

In terms of connectivity, the Striker Extreme offers an impressive set of features. It includes six SATA II ports for high-speed storage, supporting RAID configurations for enhanced data protection and performance. Additionally, the Realtek ALC882M sound chip provides excellent audio quality, along with support for 8-channel HD audio, creating a rich audio environment for gaming and multimedia applications.

For those who prioritize aesthetics, the Striker Extreme is adorned with striking LED lights and a sleek, black PCB design that complements any high-end build. Moreover, the motherboard features an LCD poster for easy troubleshooting, providing users with real-time status updates on boot processes and system health.

The Asus Striker Extreme also supports cutting-edge technologies such as DDR2 memory, allowing up to 8GB of RAM to be installed, which is crucial for modern gaming and multitasking. With an emphasis on performance, expandability, and ease of use, the Asus Striker Extreme is an excellent choice for gamers and PC enthusiasts looking to create a powerful and stylish desktop environment. Its rich feature set and robust design truly embody the capabilities expected from a top-tier motherboard in the gaming community.
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