Can you mix SATA & PATA and/or RAID & Normal configuration

[sprstock]

I am getting set up to build a new computer and since SATA has become more the norm, have bought 4 hard drives to set up a RAID 5. I understand that configuration will preserve data in the event of a hard drive failure. However, for further preservation and sharing between other computers, I am wondering about an external hard drive. Would an external stand alone drive work with a RAID system? If it would, would it have to be SATA, or would a PATA be compatible?

Thanks in advance.
Scott

[DoomLord]

Yeah, Scott. An external HD will work with your RAID setup. The external drive will have either USB,FireWire, or an E-Sata connection. It doesn't matter whether the drive inside the
external enclosure is SATA or PATA, but SATA will be marginally faster, especially if your motherboard supports an external E-SATA connection.

DoomLord

[pam123]

Yes any external hard drive would work.
If you intend to use usb as an alternate boot device make sure your mobo supports it.