HD Advice

Tommy B · 6 Apr 2006 at 13:17

My current setup is:

1X80GB Seagate (System + Programme Files)
1X160GB Maxtor (Multimedia)

However, I also do a lot of video editing and I want to buy a drive dedicated for exactly that.

Should I consider an external drive for this? I might be getting a Macbook Pro in the future, and it'd be great if I could transfer files between my home PC and that easily.

Cheers

smids · 6 Apr 2006 at 18:04

The problem with externals is the transfer rate. Even a USB2 drive is limited to 48MB/s and you'll probably not see this anyway as USB is very unstable in terms of rate. Most see about 30MB/s. Firewire externals are better, even if limited to 40MB/s because usually it is a lot more steady.

Video editing usually requires a good amount of bandwidth between the processor and hard disk so I'd be inclined to think an internal would be the best bet. I mean you can always buy a crossover network cable and use that to transfer the files over when you buy the MacBook Pro.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:26

After considering your reply, I've decided to go with the Samsung SpinPoint P SP2004C 200GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-017-SA)

Good choice?

With HDs - I can't remember - is it just a case of plugging in the mains lead and the SATA cable. Or do you need to format/set up the drive letter in Windows?

Cheers

semi-pro waster · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:30

Tommy B said:
With HDs - I can't remember - is it just a case of plugging in the mains lead and the SATA cable. Or do you need to format/set up the drive letter in Windows?

You will need to plug in the molex/SATA(one or the other, not both) power cable and the SATA data cable then format in Windows.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:30

Would I be better off with the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 NCQ 250GB 6V250F0 SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-088-MD) as it's 16MB cache? Will that actually improve speed?

Cheers

smids · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:33

Tommy B said:
Would I be better off with the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 NCQ 250GB 6V250F0 SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-088-MD) as it's 16MB cache? Will that actually improve speed?

Cheers

Most likely it would help but the DM10's have had poor reliability comparatively with other drives. So long as you backup often, I don't see why not, but do bear this in mind.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:41

smids said:
Most likely it would help but the DM10's have had poor reliability comparatively with other drives. So long as you backup often, I don't see why not, but do bear this in mind.

No I won't backup. This would be a VERY important drive. If anything, reliability is the most important factor. It'll be storing all the final versions of films I've made. Could you recommend an alternative?

smids · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:45

For reliability, Seagate are renowned. They have a 5 year warranty as standard on all drives and their drives have a greatly reduced chance of failure - of course no drive is perfect though, so backups are seriously recommended or perhaps use a RAID1 mirror array.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:48

OK. I'll get a Samsung SpinPoint P SP2504C 250GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-018-SA).

I've no idea about Raid tbh. With the other two I just wired them in.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:56

One last Q: What about the WD 250GB one with 16MB cache - reliable?

Is there actually a benefit with having the 16MB cache when using the drive to solely for storage purposes.

Dunky · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:58

If the data is that important, then I'd read up on RAID 1. Apart from Maxtors, most drives are pretty much the same reliability wise (even Maxtors it's just they have quite a few incompatibility issues). But it doesn't matter what drive you get, there's still a chance it could be DOA, die in a week, a month or 9 years. Smids is correct, Seagate are pretty well known for the 5 yr warranty and the reliability of their drives. 2 of them in RAID 1 config would be a very stable and reliable setup IMO.

EDIT: I've got the WD250 16MB - tbh there's no real speed increase. Cache reads are slightly faster, but for sustained transfers my Maxtor (I know I know...) DM10 200GB with 8MB has the slightly faster transfer rate. It's been a rock solid drive and can take anything thrown at it.

smids · 7 Apr 2006 at 14:00

The 16MB cache wouldn't benefit storage whatsoever, however if you are also doing to video editing on the drive itself, then it would give a performance increase as there is a larger read/write buffer.

Tommy B · 7 Apr 2006 at 14:03

smids said:
The 16MB cache wouldn't benefit storage whatsoever, however if you are also doing to video editing on the drive itself, then it would give a performance increase as there is a larger read/write buffer.

All live video captures (including HD) would go straight on the drive, and be edited from there. They would then be stored there, or moved to the multimedia storage drive where I put all my music/photos (and films atm)

On a different matter, I've no idea what Raids are. I know the one where you can get 2 identical drives and have them appear as one in Windows, but I really don't know anything else. What "Raid" is my current setup. Both drives are completely separate.

semi-pro waster · 7 Apr 2006 at 14:15

Tommy B said:
On a different matter, I've no idea what Raids are. I know the one where you can get 2 identical drives and have them appear as one in Windows, but I really don't know anything else. What "Raid" is my current setup. Both drives are completely separate.

It isn't Raid at all, Raid stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks normally but basically independent drives don't count as an Array is the main point.

Raid0 is where you stripe data over two drives for improved read/write performance which is good for video editing but not so great in reliability terms.

Raid1 is mirroring which is good for data security and may offer some benefit when it comes to read operations.

That is a potted description and there are plenty of websites that will cover it in more depth for you if you wish

Tommy B · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:20

Here's what I ordered:

£2.95 x 1 - Akasa Serial ATA 45cm DAYGLO Blue Data Cable (CB-001-AK)
£55.50 x 1 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB
Cache - OEM (HD-046-WD)
£2.95 x 1 - Akasa SATA Y Adapter Cable (CB-017-AK)

Is there anything else I need?

smids · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:24

Nope - though you didn't need the Serial ATA power cable as all WD drives have both power connectors. DON'T connect both SATA and molex at the same time though!

Tommy B · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:33

smids said:
Nope - though you didn't need the Serial ATA power cable as all WD drives have both power connectors. DON'T connect both SATA and molex at the same time though!

What?

The SATA goes form the SATA port on the HD to the SATA socket on the mobo.
The power adaptor goes from the port on the HD to a 4-pin Molex connector.

You're confusing me

I'd rather use the cables I bought because they're both UV reactive. What do I need?

Tommy B · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:46

smids said:
Nope - though you didn't need the Serial ATA power cable as all WD drives have both power connectors. DON'T connect both SATA and molex at the same time though!

Oh right. I understand. So where I'd use a Sata<>Molex connector on my other 2 HDS, that isn't necessary with the WD drive. But I can use my fancy Blue LED connector I bought anyway, right?

Thanks for all your help btw. Really appreciated. I trust OCUK are open on Saturdays so it should be with me on Monday.

smids · 8 Apr 2006 at 01:07

Tommy B said:
Oh right. I understand. So where I'd use a Sata<>Molex connector on my other 2 HDS, that isn't necessary with the WD drive. But I can use my fancy Blue LED connector I bought anyway, right?

Thanks for all your help btw. Really appreciated. I trust OCUK are open on Saturdays so it should be with me on Monday.

Yeah, you can use your fancy blue SATA cable lol. You might as well use that SATA>Molex converter though, it keeps more molexes free when SATA drives are present.