HD Questions

[Aricin]

Hi,

Some quick questions,

current specc

Power Supply: Antec True Power Trio 650W
Processor: Core 2 Quad Q6600 8MB cache
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Golden Orb Cooler
Graphics Card 1: BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB PCI Express
Graphics Card 2: BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB PCI Express
Memory: 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 Twin2X
Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus Socket 775
Hard Disk Drive One: 320GB Caviar SE16 SATA 300 (two of these, non raid)

I am going to get new components at some point next year when both Intel and AMD have released their new processors.

For now I would like to upgrade my hard drive, but would like to keep it once i get the new components.

Can my current set up handle this?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-336-WD

Also, I am bit confused what are the differences between that drive and this one

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-275-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1279

SATA1 vs SATA2 is obvious, but what are the real life benefits?

thanks,

 

[Virt]

Hi,

Some quick questions,

current specc

Power Supply: Antec True Power Trio 650W
Processor: Core 2 Quad Q6600 8MB cache
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Golden Orb Cooler
Graphics Card 1: BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB PCI Express
Graphics Card 2: BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB PCI Express
Memory: 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 Twin2X
Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus Socket 775
Hard Disk Drive One: 320GB Caviar SE16 SATA 300 (two of these, non raid)

I am going to get new components at some point next year when both Intel and AMD have released their new processors.

For now I would like to upgrade my hard drive, but would like to keep it once i get the new components.

Can my current set up handle this?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-336-WD

Also, I am bit confused what are the differences between that drive and this one

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-275-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1279

SATA1 vs SATA2 is obvious, but what are the real life benefits?

thanks,

The first one you've linked is a SATA 3 drive. The second one you've linked is a SATA 2 drive. Those are the main differences between the two, unless my eyes deceive me!

Your current build would be able to use both of those hard drives. However, your motherboard does not have SATA 3 features, so buying the first drive for that feature wouldn't be a good idea. Unless...

... you did mention that you are going to upgrade to the newer Intel/AMD processors. With that in mind, when doing that upgrade you could make sure that you get a motherboard that has SATA 3. You'd then be able to utilize the full potential (and speed!) of that feature.

If 640gb of storage is enough for you, then one option you could consider is the Crucial C300. Using one of those drives as a boot drive would add a big performance boost to your system and with 6 SATA ports on your current motherboard, you'd be able to use your WD mechanical drives as you wish.

The great thing about the Crucial C300 is that it will be even faster if you get a SATA 3 motherboard when you upgrade in the future. It's a future proof option: it'd add quite a kick to your system now, and even more of a kick in the future!