Better to go for 1 x 500GB Samsung, or 2 x 250 GB Samsung's (maybe in RAID) ?

Defenestration · 7 Mar 2007 at 00:03

I'm looking to get a 1 x Samsung 250GB initially for my new build due to funds being a bit tight. However, OcUK have a Samsung 500GB model on special offer for £90.46, for the next couple of days.

1) Should I stick with the Samsung 250GB (with a view to getiing another 1,2 or 3 later in RAID config) ?

2) Should I spend the extra £40 and get the Samsung 500GB ?

3) Should I splash out an extra £50 to get 2 Samsung 250GB's and have them in RAID 0 ?

PS. I was considering a Seagate (never had one before), but the fact they have two different types of the same model available doesn't inspire confidence (ie. one quiet and one noisy). They might have 5-year warranties, but the fact that it's a lottery as to whether you get a quiet or noisy drive speaks volumes about the company to me. If I buy a Samsung/Hitachi with Fluid Dynamic Bearing's, at least I know I will get a HD with FDB's.

Seagate = Unpredictable IMO (and that's just based on a lot of research, without actually owning one)

Hxc · 7 Mar 2007 at 00:20

Seagate are also the fastest and most reliable drives, it must be noted.

Defenestration · 7 Mar 2007 at 00:41

I don't doubt that Seagate's are the fastest, since most benchmarks piont to that (although they are a bit unpredictable with multi-tasking benchmarks). However, reliability is not so clear cut. The fact that Seagate are using two types of spindle (noisy and quiet) in their current crop of HD's tends to indicate they are struggling to keep up with demand. Rather than uphold quality as a business principle, they've decided to keep up with demand at all costs, even if it means tarnishing their reputaion somewhat. In an area like data storage, this is a very risky move since people tend to equate noisy HD's with unreliability, as well as an annoyance (even though they may be just as reliable).

I find it amazing that Seagate are still manufacturing HD's with the older noisy spindle/motor, given the amount of criticism they have received over it.

Let's hope the 7200.11 model does not suffer from the same problems, and also includes Maxtor's know-how on NCQ, which appears to be one of the best implementations.

I may just re-consider then!

Defenestration · 7 Mar 2007 at 04:22

Hmmm... option (2) is my current preference, although it is a stretch money-wise.

However, the Samsung 250GB is still very tempting.

I just can't make up my mind.

Borden · 7 Mar 2007 at 06:37

I would also go with option 2. Less heat, more reliable as it will only be a single drive and you also have more space in your case for future expansion if you ever want more drives.