Any suggestions on a good fast HD

[grant_h]

Being that my hard drive is just about the only part I have not upgraded since i built my computer many years ago, it's about time for a new one (to many bad sectors and it just seems real slow). Anyone have any suggestions on a good fast HD that will not cost me to much $$$. I have EIDE interface.
TIA

[smiller667]

WD Raptor ... S-ATA, 36 gigs, 10000 rpm :) ... should be a nice boot drive. Ooops, you have EIDE only ...

If you want something bigger, I'd go for one of the WD BBs (7200rpm), JBs (8MB cache) or a Maxtor ...

[grant_h]

Originally posted by smiller667

If you want something bigger, I'd go for one of the WD BBs (7200rpm), JBs (8MB cache) or a Maxtor ...

That's what I was thinking I will see what I can find on cnet.com

[Ramirez]

Bear in mind that if your PC is more then 2/3 years old, your motherboard BIOS will (probably) not recognize a HD over 20GB, a part of that even if you'd update your BIOS () so it'll recognize larger capacity drives plugging 7200RPM HD would be still a bad idea because your MB will not support anything faster then UDMA-66/5400 anyway.

I would save that money for upgrade...

[grant_h]

My HD is the only thin I have not upgraded since I built my computer a couple of years ago.
Right now it has:
2.2 Ghz P4
512 megs DDR
New power supply
DVD writer
cd Writer
etc etc.
and a crapy old HD

I have a question pertaining to what determins the speed of a HD
is it determined by:
Seek Time, Data Transfer Rate, Buffer Cache, RPM?

Basically what is the most crucial factor determining the speed of the HD?

[Ramirez]

You where somewhat unclear in your formulation when you wrote "many years ago", ;) nevermind, you should be fine with your current hardware just check whether your MB support UDMA-100 and if it's the case you're safe to go for a 7200RPM HD (personally I like WD Special Edition 8MB drives) those are cheap and speedy.

I have a question pertaining to what determins the speed of a HD
is it determined by:
Seek Time, Data Transfer Rate, Buffer Cache, RPM?

Basically what is the most crucial factor determining the speed of the HD?
All these are a part of the same equation, all crucial and all of them have direct impact on performance.

[grant_h]

How does this HD sound I found it for $77.00, It seems like it should be nice and fast, I think!

Capacity: 80 GB
Connectors: IDE - ATA/EIDE/ATAPI 40 pin Header
Access Time: 9 ms
Interface: IDE (ATA/EIDE/ATAPI)
Internal/External: Internal
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
System Type: PC
Transfer Rate: 150 MBytes/sec
Cache Size: 8 MB

or there's this one for $89.00

Device type Hard drive Standard
Hard drive size 80 GB
Interface type Serial ATA-150
Enclosure type Internal
Form factor 3.5" x 1/3H
Buffer size 8 MB
Heads: Physical heads 2
Average seek time 8.5 ms
Data transfer rate 150 MBps
Spindle speed 7200 rpm
Average Latency 4.16 ms

[wmansir]

The only real difference between the two is the S-ATA connection, which your MB most likely does not have, so you will need an adapter. which may or may not cost extra.

Of course, when you upgrade to a new computer you will most likely take this drive with you and if you don't buy the SATA you will need an adapter then (because your new computer will probably have it).

Currently, there are no real performance benefits to SATA. And since you will be using an adapter if you get that drive, you wouldn't see them anyway. Although future drives are expected to have higher burst speeds, the only advantage they have now is that the cables are much easier to route.

Personally, I would get the cheaper IDE drive. The only exception would be if you plan to upgrade to a new computer within the next year or so (with a SATA MB). (Also, I'm assuming both HDs are from reputable Mfgs like Maxtor, WD, ect. )

Also, You might want to check out some deal forums like:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

or Anandtech.com 's Hot Deal forum, techbargains.com is also good.

I saw a deal from dell.com for a WD-SE 200GB for $95, but there is a $100 mail in rebate involved. check the fat wallet forum for details.

And staples has a Maxtor Ultra 120GB for $80 after a $40 mail in rebate. ( You can add $30 of stuff and use a $30 off $150 coupon to make it a better deal, again check fat wallet forum for details).

[Hoox]

I'm also out for buying a new hd.
My WD 120GB SATA disk just broke down after just 14 days and my 180 GB WD IDE broke down in about 3 weeks ago :angry:

These problems occour when I capture alot of video to the harddisk.

I decided to try something else than WD, so I have had a look on Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 120GB and DiamondMax Plus 9 120 GB. Both SATA.

What would you prefer for a top quality harddisk that doesn't break down every time I capture video?

[wmansir]

I have a couple of Maxtors that have held up really well, but I don't feel comfortable recommending a brand since I haven't bought one on a while (well before they started cutting warranties to 1 year). For some solid info checkout www.storagereview.com .

However, as a tip, you might want to look at your drive cooling. Perhaps your drives are in a hot spot in your case and that is causing them to fail. I have a IBM 75GXP Deskstar (AKA deathstar) that everyone on the web says has an extremely high failure rate. But I haven't had any problems in 3+ years, probably because it's sitting just in front of two 80mm fans.

[Hoox]

Thanx for your reply, wmansir.

I have 2 IBM 60GXP in my server with harddisk coolers on em both. Before cooling they got around 50C and with cooling about 30-35C.

The WD in my workstation I use for video also gets around 35 without harddisk cooling.

What's the temperature of your drives?

[wmansir]

I don't know. I disabled SMART, and I don't think the program I was using reported the actual temperature anyway, just some sort of index number. Is there a utility that will convert SMART readings into actual temperature?

[Hoox]

I use Drive Health from Helexis. It's pretty good.
http://www.drivehealth.com/

[mrlipring]

motherboard monitor does HD temps too.

[lilhobo]

who else is having troouble with the WD JB800 8Mb Cache drives??

is this drive suitable for video work?