[NTLUG:Discuss] Fastest Access for moving large (video) files?

[David Simmons]

Guys,

I have a box that does video work...so most of it's files are very large
and I've noticed that most of the time my CPU usage is low, but
hard-drive light is flashing like crazy - so, my bottle-neck is just
moving this data around.

Root Question:  How do I create the (within a normal budget) fastest way
to move large files around?  Considering that my 'work area' could be as
small as 10Gb.

Thoughts:

1).  I know that a RAM drive would probably be the fastest...but given
that I'm looking for 10Gb, I don't know of 'normal' motherboards going
that high...and I'm sure dedicated RAM-Drive cards are way out of the
price-range

2).  Have been reading some good results using SATA-300 or SATA-II.  But
given that I have the old standard PCI bus, will that be the limiting
factor? (as I'll have to add a SATA-II card to the system).

3).  Any comments on the WD Raptor?

4).  Instead of a single drive - do I go RAID0 (striping) - if so, any
recommendations on setup? (ie. go ATA/IDE or SATA?  (Again, will the PCI
bus be the limit?)

Thanks in advance,

dave