Hi mbreedlove,
Thanks for the information.
In fact a SSD can be used as cache when using IRST only and this feature is available from the z68 chipset to the ones mentioned at the following link:
http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-032826.htm?wapkw=(Smart+response)
You can any HDD that was in a RAID structure in other system but when you connect that HDD in a different computer it is possible that you will not see the RAID volume unless it is the same board model.
It is also important to mention that you can use a SSD and a HDD as mirror in the same RAID but the max storage capacity will be always the smallest drive and it also happens with the write-read operation. I mean that if you have the SSD and HDD in the same RAID, the speed of Read-Write will be the speed from the normal HDD because is the slowest one. IT also happens with the capacity, the SSD probably will be the smallest one between the Normal HDD and the SSD.
The best way to have a RAID 1 with a good performance is to use the SSD as cache and use the HDD as storage drive or bootable drive.
I hope I’ve understood your question.