Hello,

It's been some years (yes, centuries in pc terms) since I have beencomposing my last high end PC.

Now I want to build a new mini ITX gaming system and catch up with thelatest developments.

Perhaps answer to my question may sound obvious for specialists..

I will use:
Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac

Samsung SSD SM951 256GB M.2 3.0 x 4 ACHI

2 3TB HDD's running in RAID0

Silverstone Raven RVZ02 Case - seems there's space for an optical driveslim line

UEFI - GPT partition on SSD  (also on the HDD's?)

WIN10 64 bit

Rest to be determined..

I read on the forum how to install Win10 but still not 100% clear to me(my bad probably)..

Questions:

I want to install the OS on SSD using  M2 SSD op Ultra M2 Socket (M2_1)with

UEFI &  GPT partition on SSD.

Next I want to have the 2 HDD's in Raid 0 on SATA3_2 en SATA3_3 Port(also best in GPT I think?).
 Your post mentions I have to select either AHCI or Raid and, from what Iunderstand that is then valid for both the single SSD and the 2 HDD's. I thinkI need to set it to Raid in order to have the HDD's in Raid ?(Is this correct?Does the single SSD still function properly then?)

If the RVZ02 case can accommodate an optical drive , next to the SSD and2 HDD's, can I then simply boot from the Optical drive with the Win10installation CD, formatting SSD in GPT partition and HDD's also? (Will theoptical drive be recognized?)

If the RVZ02 case can't accommodate the optical drive I assume I need toinstall from USB according this procedure? https://www.ramcity.com.au/blog/how-to-install-windows-8.1-on-the-samsung-xp941-ss/138296

Is there an easier way?

Coming back to the AHCI/Raid question : I guess if Raid-setting doesn't work during the installation process on SSD , can I once OSinstalled i.e. use the Asrock utility to change only the HDD's from AHCIto Raid?

Are the USB ports usable during installation? (Will Win10 detect a USB mouse& keyboard so I can use them  duringinstallation? - Win7 has an issue there from what I understood but is it OK in Win10?)

Besides the questions , any other things which might hinder me from getting theOS installed perhaps ?

Many questions , perhaps I foresee more difficulties than what will bethe case ..
Thanks a lot for your feedback,

Best Regs Raf