FAST primary disk for OS partition.

nme_uk · 5 Nov 2007 at 16:56

putting together a new build and have to scrap my old EIDE disk - now looking to get into sata II - but would really love something really fast for the OS (system) partition. I hear the Raptors are the best - but arent they very noisy? I really dont want a noisy machine. Any other recommendations?

Thanks

Imy · 5 Nov 2007 at 22:52

I only really notice the noise of mine under heavy use; but that pretty much goes for any drive I've had in the past.

nme_uk · 5 Nov 2007 at 23:10

@Imy - are you talking about the Cheetahs in your sig, or the Raptors? Arent those cheetahs scsi?

Imy · 6 Nov 2007 at 12:48

Talking about the raptors.

The cheetahs in my sig are SAS (Serial Attached SCSI). They use a parallel connection similar to SATA. I can plug regular SATA drives into my SAS controller but I can't plug my SAS drives into a SATA controller.

I'm awaiting a cable (and then gfx card) before I can finish the rig so can't tell you about the noise of the cheetahs just yet.

nme_uk · 10 Nov 2007 at 15:57

Raptor - Not all its cracked up to be?

Ok, so I went and picked up a WD Raptor 74GB disk, with the intention of hosting my OS & Apps. I'm running this now in my pc with a Samsung Spinpoint 500GB Disk for data.

I paid more for the Raptor then the Samsungs, but was hoping to be pleasently surprised. However, I'm really dissapointed. Check out the HDTach result for the Raptor, and then the same for the Samsung.

Raptor:

By nme_uk at 2007-11-10

Samsung:

By nme_uk at 2007-11-10

Side by side Comparison:

By nme_uk at 2007-11-10

Is there a problem with the Raptor? I'm seriously tempted to return the Raptor and replace it with another Samsung, which costs much less for a much greater amount of storage, AND is a much quieter drive.

Whats wrong with this picture?

Thanks

Katoom · 10 Nov 2007 at 16:26

I think its the random access time that will make the raptor fast at loading things (8.3 ms vs 14.2ms) and it has a higher average read.
The bad ting is the £/gb and i think some drives have a higher average read now aswell.

Imy · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:13

The transfer speeds are comparable to high-end 7,200rpm drives but its the quick access times and package as a whole that makes it the best mainstream desktop drive for os/apps/games.

The raptor will actually beat my 15,000rpm Cheetah in certain situations.

basmic · 12 Nov 2007 at 08:09

You'd be financially better off returning the Raptor in your 7/14 day sales of good act, TBH. Once you've done that, buy two Hitachi's with the highest capacity per platter, and RAID 0 them.

nme_uk · 14 Nov 2007 at 21:48

Thanks for advice guys, the raptor has been sent packing. I'm thinking of sticking with the samsung, as I have a second one which I've used temporarily, and the machine is deadly silent, and quick enough for my needs so far - the only noise I have right now, is from the stock intel cooler fan, and only when its really stressed - I think an aftermarket cooler is on the cards, then perhaps further down the line, I'll look at the RAID 0 and Hitachi drive scenario.
thanks all