Quiet but Fast

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 11:59

I'm looking to replace my ancient IDE drive with something faster and quieter.

I want a drive which will load BattleField 2 maps in seconds, not days (apparently the "punkbuster" software does some intensive HDD ops whilst map-loading to see if you are running haxxor software!),

I would like a price range under £200.

I would like it to be quiet, none of this 50,000,000 rpm airplane engine malarky, the case sits almost 2 feet from my ears, and noise is simply unacceptable

I know that noise limitation drops the speed some, but im sure I can get faster than I have without getting loud.

Current HDD was of the cheapest Maxtor's, about 2-3 (maybe more!) years back.

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 12:19

squiffy said:
Battlefield 2 maps take almost a minute to load on my setup, so good look getting one that'll load in a few seconds.

Obviously that was an exaggeration, along with most of the examples in my post, including, on the same line "instead of days" :rolleyes:

Thanks for the constructive reply.

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 12:26

Indeed I am obviously moronic.

Back on topic, I've never tried Raid, could be fun.

Would a Raid as suggested with two 7200.10's outperform one of the (assumedly noisier, correct me please) WD Raptors, like the one in This Week Only?

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 12:41

So my choices as suggested are:

Western Digital Raptor 150GB 10,000RPM SATA 16MB Cache
+ OcUK Silentmaxx enclosure

150GB, 4.5ms seek (In my newbish fashion, I assume this is the important stat?) @ just under £200.

or

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB ST3500630AS SATA-II 16MB Cache

500GB, similar cost. Much more storage, much cheaper, and apparently a fast drive. Anybody tell me about its speed and noise please?

or

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache
x 2, raid0

250GB storage over two drives in raid0, again, please compare speed and noise?

Whats with Caviars, are they worth considering? They have a good write-up in the catalog

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 14:33

Raid is an option then, will do some research.

Without raid, whats the fastest option, and whats the quiter/fast alternative?

Helium_Junkie · 22 Sep 2006 at 15:34

So from 7200.10 to raptor you would say is a 5-10% improvement.
From 7200.10 to raid 7200.10s?

This is very very helpful, thank you

Helium_Junkie · 28 Sep 2006 at 10:13

In the interest of financial non-stupidity I decided to silentmaxx my existing HDD instead.
(I also couldn't be bothered with re-installing windows... AGAIN).

The silentmaxx is pretty decent, the loudest piece of hardware in my pc is now relegated below the fans

So thats nice

Thanks for the tips all, next OS that comes out - I will get the new HDD