What is best storage model for single server, local backing

[totalimpact]

In the past I have known that block devices on LVM are best, but I read a while back that qcow drivers have improved performance - so these days, what is the storage model sweet spot for features/performance.

Already familiar with this:
http://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Storage_Model

Server specs:
Dell R720, H710 RAID card with 6x 15k SAS drives in RAID10 for vm storage.
I installed proxmox to a 120gb ssd apart from the raid array - this way I can use raw lvm if needed.
Backup to local 4tb USB, and/or NFS mount on NAS.

Order of concern:
1. performance for multiple windows guests
2. easy backups
3. fast snapshotting (nice addon, not required)
4. option to use VZ on same storage as KVM (not needed, but would be nice)
5. thin provision (low on the list)

Please include recommendations for backing - ie ext3/4 on LVM, or no LVM?

I know this:
raw LVM block devices = fastest
qcow = fast snap-shotting
qcow = thin disk provisioning

 

[totalimpact]

I guess from recent info on the wiki that qcow now being the default makes it the best format??

I am going to make a LVM volume, format it ext3 just like the default pve setup, and store my qcows on that.

 

[tom]

basically, each storage have advantages and disadvantages.

our default installation is using ext3 and qcow2 (on local storage) for disk images, so you can consider this as a good setup.