Need help with hard drives

Vasili Zaitsev · 06-01-2007, 11:00 PM

I am currently building a new system so I can run Oblivion at high settings.

My questions:

Western Digital or Seagate?

Cache vs RPM?

What are the advantages to using a hard drive for booting the computer and running applications and using another for games (or something like that)?

What would you recommend getting for games?

Thank you in advance.

**Rashiki** · 06-01-2007, 11:53 PM

I personally had a bad run with seagate, and have been very happy with all of my western digital drives, so I'd recommend them.

RPM vs Cache? Why not have both? I don't know what your budget is, but the WD Raptor X ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136011 ) is pricey, but has a nice 16mb cache and 10,000 rpm, all that equates to a very fast performing drive. I personally would go for a larger cache if you decide to stick with a more budget oriented setup. If you've really got cash to spend, two Raptor X's in RAID 0 with a bigger backup drive would be awesome. A bigger cache allows faster access of frequently called for data, lessening load times on programs you use often. Even at 10k RPM, the hard drive is usually the slowest link in the computer when it's accessing data off the platters. Less cache, and the computer must get data off platters, so bigger cache!

I use a Raptor 74gb for windows/system files, and a maxtor drive for less frequently accessed data and storage. I feel that having windows on the faster drive speeds up day to day general operations, and also having another drive to put data on will keep the windows system healthier by not introducing non-essential data to clutter it up. i recommend it. It also makes for easier backups.

For games, I would probably recommend a large capacity 7200 RPM drive with a 16mb cache. Games nowadays are huge, and they don't really tax the hard drive enough to warrant a noticable difference with a 10k rpm drive IMHO.

Tumbleweed36 · 06-02-2007, 03:51 AM

Western Digital with 16mb cache would be my choice.

06-01-2007, 11:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vasili Zaitsev Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Need help with hard drives I am currently building a new system so I can run Oblivion at high settings. My questions: Western Digital or Seagate? Cache vs RPM? What are the advantages to using a hard drive for booting the computer and running applications and using another for games (or something like that)? What would you recommend getting for games? Thank you in advance.

06-01-2007, 11:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rashiki Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 878 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Re: Need help with hard drives I personally had a bad run with seagate, and have been very happy with all of my western digital drives, so I'd recommend them. RPM vs Cache? Why not have both? I don't know what your budget is, but the WD Raptor X ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136011 ) is pricey, but has a nice 16mb cache and 10,000 rpm, all that equates to a very fast performing drive. I personally would go for a larger cache if you decide to stick with a more budget oriented setup. If you've really got cash to spend, two Raptor X's in RAID 0 with a bigger backup drive would be awesome. A bigger cache allows faster access of frequently called for data, lessening load times on programs you use often. Even at 10k RPM, the hard drive is usually the slowest link in the computer when it's accessing data off the platters. Less cache, and the computer must get data off platters, so bigger cache! I use a Raptor 74gb for windows/system files, and a maxtor drive for less frequently accessed data and storage. I feel that having windows on the faster drive speeds up day to day general operations, and also having another drive to put data on will keep the windows system healthier by not introducing non-essential data to clutter it up. i recommend it. It also makes for easier backups. For games, I would probably recommend a large capacity 7200 RPM drive with a 16mb cache. Games nowadays are huge, and they don't really tax the hard drive enough to warrant a noticable difference with a 10k rpm drive IMHO. __________________ ASUS P5WD2 Premium v0709 \| Intel Prescott 3.2ghz \| 2gb Corsair XMS DDR2-800 PC2-6400 \| Sparkle Power 550w PSU \| ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro \| Sound Blaster Audigy 4 \| CoolerMaster Aluminum Case \| WD Raptor 76gb 10K RPM SATA HDD \|ASUS CD/DVD RW Combo Drive \| Mitsumi 7-in-1 Floppy Combo Drive \| Coolermaster Copper Heatsink

06-02-2007, 03:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,481 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need help with hard drives Western Digital with 16mb cache would be my choice. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.