Okay quick update,

Returned failed WD 500 Black to the store and picked up another. After researching SSDs a bit I decided to wait a bit based on price and performance/Firmware confusion.

In anycase with 2 functioning HDD, Windows 7 installed like on a RAID0 config like a champ. No problems whatsoever.

Now, I have to figure out why my Icore default clocks at 1600 mhz. Must be a power saving setting in the Bios.