1

I have an external RAID0 array that I use for media production on my MacBook Pro. It is a 2-disk Thunderbolt unit from LaCie (Big2). I chose to stripe the data for performance. Considering the type of data I will be reading/writing from the array (mostly large-block, sequential) would it be better to just have a single volume or partition into two? I plan on dumping sample libraries as well as project files on it. Any performance impact with partitioning?

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

The only benefit to partitioning is to allow the operating system to treat the different partitions in different ways. For example, if you have one partition dedicated to a page file, sometimes some systems might benefit by having a dedicated partition so that the operating system doesn't need to deal with fragmentation caused by little files. However, you have proposed nothing that would really provide a benefit. You simply proposed multiple partitions. All that really does is prevent the operating system from writing some data into some part of the hard drive, because that part isn't within certain boundaries.

If there is going to be any benefit, we would need more details from the plan, like what type of data you propose to go in each specific partition. As the question is currently phrased, you mentioned some type of data, but haven't said how that will differ from any other data that will be getting used on the drive.

Just breaking it up into two partitions isn't likely to make things go lots faster.

Improve this answer
2
  • Thanks TOOGAM. To elaborate, both partitions would be identical. One would be a 'workdisk' volume that I would access projects from (Pro Tools, Logic, etc.) and another partition would hold sample libraries and sound effects. These would be accessed from the projects. I guess what I wanted to know was if the OS would prefer to read/write to a single partition instead of two. As I'm typing this now...it sounds like an obvious question. Your thoughts?
    – CymanSez
    Nov 25, 2015 at 20:48
  • CymanSez: I think I like your name. ha ha. Took me a bit to get it. Regarding the RAID, though, if disk read/write speed isn't the speed bottleneck, then tinkering with the wrong part of the solution may not help much. I think that if you don't get further input here, you might want to try one of the other SE sites (like maybe "Ask Different"?) where people may have some different specialty expertise to offer precise input.
    – TOOGAM
    Nov 26, 2015 at 0:08
0

Much of the answer on this would depend on whether your RAID is a hardware or software setup.

Software RAIDs are pretty terrible, in terms of performance. (and actually, MANY hardware RAIDs are equally slow).

Partitioning in itself won't make a tremendous difference in terms of transfer/copy performance, though it might help you long-term in maintenance (easier to format a volume when you've got it backed up elsewhere, etc)..

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks Frank. The Lacie is a hardware RAID and disk tests on several reviews have shown upwards of 350 MB/s R/W. This is perfect for what I'm doing. My only concern was if I would see a performance drop by partitioning, and from what you guys are saying, it's negligible if present at all.
    – CymanSez
    Nov 29, 2015 at 7:13

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .