RAID 5Storage Array Configurator
RAID Storage Capacity &
Speed Configurator in Sierra Leone
Calculate exact usable storage, estimated read/write throughput, parity overhead, and drive fault tolerance thresholds for all major RAID levels.
Array Configuration
4 drives
4 TB
RAID 5
Distributed parity — balanced performance + redundancy.
NAS arrays, workstation storage, media servers.
Usable Capacity12 TB
Parity Overhead4 TB
Storage Efficiency75%
Drive Fault Tolerance1 drive
Estimated Sequential Throughput (HDD baseline)
Sequential Read360 MB/s
Sequential Write140 MB/s
75%
Capacity Efficiency
16 TB raw → 12 TB usable
4 TB used for parity
All RAID Levels — 4× 4TB Comparison
| RAID | Usable | Efficiency | Fault Tolerance | Read Speed | Write Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 16 TB | 100% | None | 400 MB/s | 400 MB/s | Scratch disks |
| RAID 1 | 4 TB | 25% | 1 drive | 300 MB/s | 180 MB/s | OS drives |
| RAID 5◀ | 12 TB | 75% | 1 drive | 360 MB/s | 140 MB/s | NAS arrays |
| RAID 6 | 8 TB | 50% | 2 drives | 320 MB/s | 100 MB/s | Enterprise storage |
| RAID 10 | 8 TB | 50% | 1 drive | 400 MB/s | 360 MB/s | Databases |
Choosing the Right RAID Level for Workstations & Servers in Sierra Leone
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a storage virtualization technology that distributes data across multiple drives for improved performance, fault tolerance, or both. For PC builders and workstation users in Sierra Leone, understanding the capacity and speed trade-offs of each RAID level is essential before investing in a multi-drive setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RAID 5 and RAID 6?▼
RAID 5 uses single distributed parity and can survive 1 drive failure. RAID 6 uses dual parity and survives 2 simultaneous drive failures, at the cost of more overhead and lower write speeds.
Does RAID replace backups?▼
No. RAID protects against drive failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, fire, or theft. Always maintain separate offline backups using the 3-2-1 rule.
Which RAID is best for a home NAS in Sierra Leone?▼
RAID 5 with 4+ drives offers the best balance of capacity, performance, and redundancy for home NAS systems. For critical data, RAID 6 adds an extra safety margin.