The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/ramir2332 on 2025-04-15 17:30:54.

Functions: In a RAID machine that has four HDD bays (2.5 or 3.5) is it optional to utilize each HDD individually or am I forced to use just one HDD so the other three drives are backup? I know it combines all four drives into just one. But my question is do RAID machines allow you to utilize it like a DAS (individual use) or does RAID automatically takes all four drives and makes use of it as one? Regardless of the cost of the machine or features (RAID / DAS vice versa).

Speeds: I want to buy a four bay dock that has Thunderbolt 4 and most of these are RAID/ DAS have TB4. Regular DAS docking stations are limited to 5Gbps to 10Gbps (which I use now is USB gen2). I prefer to have TB4.

Overall: I’m currently using a DAS Orico four bay dock for my 3.5" HDDs of movies. And the size, quantity of content is too much to backup and move often. So I’m wanting to upgrade from USB 3.2 (10gbps) to TB4 (I know TB5 is out right now but my current PC is TB4 only and cant upgrade to TB5 just yet.) Going to TB4 will satisfy my needs to move stuff around. Aside from achieving this id have to forcfully move from DAS to a RAID machine to get TB4 capability.

Goal: I mainly want TB4 but also my main use is to transfer and move data around for backup. I usually do this manually with the DAS I own now. I’m not too sure I’m comfortable using all four HDDs as RAID to combine them. Because each hard drive is a copy of one. So I have two copies of movie backups and another two HDD drives for music, photos and documents. I don’t like to mix them with the movies since I use them on my media player.

Thanks for any inputs or recommendations.