Raptor question

PureAppleJuice · 17 May 2006 at 18:14

Is the Western Digital WD360GD 36.7Gb a good choice for a performance drive for installing Windows XP and a couple of games on? Or is it really worth me shelling out and getting double the space or 40 extra?

Alternatively for half the price of a raptor I could just get an 80gb SATA drive.
Got a 250gb Hitachi SATA drive for storage.

What do you guys think?

smids · 17 May 2006 at 18:57

Pick up a 74GB raptor - it is a fair bit faster than a 36GB model and I'm sure I've seen a number in the MM recently. All should come with the remainder of a 5yr warranty too. They are noticeably quicker for games and windows, I have to say.

Messiah Khan · 17 May 2006 at 18:58

Well persoanlly I like to have windows separate from everything else, thats why my setup is;

36gb raptor - Windows XP
250gb WD - Programs/Games/ISO
250gb WD - Files/mp3/films
80gb Seagate - Backup

This setup is working great for my needs. There is plenty of space left over on the raptor for a few games, although if your going to install more than a few, then the 74gb raptor is deffinately worth looking at, especially as its slightly faster. However if I was you, i'd get the 36gb raptor, and another drive(maybe a 250gb) for games/programs. Just my 2pence worth

Borden · 17 May 2006 at 19:37

I use my Raptor for windows and my most used games. All other orograms etc are kept on my 200GB hdd. Very quick and makes the system feel quite a bit faster

PureAppleJuice · 17 May 2006 at 21:39

Alright, cheers, think i'll go for that then

Got 300gb on the network anyway.

Duke · 17 May 2006 at 21:56

The 36gb Raptor isn't really much quicker than a modern 7200rpm drive now. I'd go for the 74gb or newer 150gb model

PureAppleJuice · 17 May 2006 at 22:05

Aye, just sorting out payment details for a 74gb Raptor off the member's market

Huzzah

What advantage does that WD 'SecureConnect' SATA cable offer over any other one? :S

smids · 17 May 2006 at 22:08

jidh007 said:
Aye, just sorting out payment details for a 74gb Raptor off the member's market Huzzah
What advantage does that WD 'SecureConnect' SATA cable offer over any other one? :S

Very little. It only protects against breaking the plastic of the port or knocking the cable out - if the drive is inside your case, what are the chances.

PureAppleJuice · 17 May 2006 at 22:10

Heh, looked around the WD site and it offered no details at all really. Cheers, that saved me £5, nearly bought it in thinking it's one of those things you probably ought to get...

Duke · 17 May 2006 at 22:22

jidh007 said:
nearly bought it in thinking it's one of those things you probably ought to get...

Not unless you hang your washing from the cable

Ladforce · 18 May 2006 at 00:44

2x80gb hitachi deskstars in raid are faster than 1 36gb raptor in everything except seek time i think. about the same price to.