Test System

Processors: AMD Opteron 2356 (2.3GHz Quad-Core) x2

Motherboard: Tyan S2915-E (Supplied by Tyan)

Memory: Kingston KVR667D2S4P5/2G x4 (Supplied by Kingston)

Graphics Card: XFX 8800 GTX (Supplied by XFX USA)

Enclosure: Lian Li V2000

Cooling: Noctua NH-U12DO (Supplied by Noctua)

SATA Controller: Areca ARC-1231ML (Supplied by Areca)

SAS Controller: Areca ARC-1680i (Supplied by Areca)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate X64

The Areca 1231ML RAID controller will be handling the arrays for both the Intel / Kingston X25-M and RunCore Pro IV arrays. When it comes to capacity the RunCore setup has a distinct advantage over the Intel array, 256GB compared to Intel's 160GB. Things change once inside the OS, though; the Intel drives have a useable 160GB but the RunCore drives once formatted shrink to 240GB.

On the price front Intel has an advantage since they recently lowered the price on their X25-M Series and the RunCore Pro IV drives were just launched. The Intel array has an MSRP of 780 USD while the RunCore Pro IV is 960 USD.