10k vs 7.2k RPM SATA Drive

[JohnnyCNote]

I'm putting together a new system with an ABIT AI7, 3.0E P4, 2 x 512 RAM. I'm trying to decide between keeping one of my 120 GB IDE drives for file storage and getting a Western Digital Raptor 10k RPM SATA for system files, or getting a single Maxtor 250BG 7200 RPM SATA. I mainly use my computer for DVD ripping and writing, plus the occasional game.

Would the Raptor yield a noticeable difference in youse guys' opinions? Whaddya say?

CompUSA has the Maxtor on sale for $169.99 after rebate, so I'm tempted to go with that, however NewEgg has the Raptor for $111.25, plus I can get an exclusive business card wallet! Such a deal....

[tom10167]

These threads don't really need to appear so much, this thread is on every page at least three times. --Anyways, the Raptor is INCREDIBLY fast and WAY faster than anything else, but if you're ripping DVDs, at 5GB a pop, go with the biggest hard drive you can.

[Th0r]

I would go with both... LoL...

[JohnnyCNote]

Thanks for the reply.

Re: These threads don't really need to appear so much, this thread is on every page at least three times.

I did a search for "Western Digital Raptor" and none of the results related to my inquiry...

[tom10167]

It's ok, I was speaking as a whole, not nitpicking you directly, sorry for that. ;)

So, what are your thoughts? Any more questions?

[JohnnyCNote]

No prob. I can appreciate what you're saying, but I did try to find what I'm looking for before I started the thread....

What I'm really wondering is if I'd get any noticeable increase in speed if I put my OS on the Raptor, rather than getting one single 7200 SATA drive. I realize that the Raptor has faster specs, but how do they show up in a real world situation? Also, for my purposes, a single 120 GB drive is enough for my DVD files. I'd stick with my 2 120's, but I'm going to give one to my brother, so if I'm going to need a new one anyway, why not go for the gusto? (I'm dating myself with that one!)

So the question is, how much "gusto" would I get with the 10K with the CPU and MB I listed above? I'm not planning to do any major overclocking - I'd just like something faster than my current configuration.

Re Excelsior's reply: maybe that's the way to go in the long run. From what I've read, going with a RAID configuration doesn't provide all that many advantages....

[tom10167]

Yes. Figure it as a 50% speed increase in your cpu.

I REALLY noticed the difference, things that WERE slow, now aren't. Defragments, virus scans, booting, adware scans, it's all uber-fast.

And I mean UBER.

[JohnnyCNote]

Hmmm...tempting....

Plus the Raptor is less cash out of pocket than the Maxtor, which is on sale (although it will undoubtedly be on sale again).

Thanks mucho!

[runsalone]

Add another vote for the raptor. I've used two 36 gb raptors in raid 0 (128 kbit stripe) and windows xp installed in around 15 minutes. Really, really fast.

What I did was mess around with 5 gb digital movie files on the 36 gb raid 0 array, and when finished, right before turning the monitor off and going to bed, initiate the copying of the file(s) to a 7200 rpm hard disk which was not used for the OS or applications.

[hafa]

Thanks for the reply.
I did a search for "Western Digital Raptor" and none of the results related to my inquiry...

Right now the forum search feature is so #^($&% up that its essentially worthless. No one should be critisized for posting something covered before until they fix it (not coming down on you, Tom, just expressing frustration over the lack of a viable search feature).

At any rate, I give my vote for the Raptor as well. I've installed these on several systems now and they're so $#@% fast that they're threatening to convert me from a die-hard SCSI addict to a Raptor fanboy.

[bored-sarcasm]

say hello to your new raptor friend. those kick ass over any other 7200rmp drive.

[JohnnyCNote]

Sounds unanimous to me - I'm getting the Raptor....

[tom10167]

I was unaware of the search issues. Again, my apologies. :thup:

[JohnnyCNote]

I guess that explains why I got only 2 results, both in gaming. I was expecting a whole page's worth....

[Disputant]

I went from a WD 80 7200 drive with an 8 meg cache to the 10k Raptor and there was no comparison. Extremely fast, only downside is mine is a bit on the loud side. But silence was not what I was going for on that rig, so doesn't bother me a bit.

[JohnnyCNote]

I placed my order last night. Hopefully it will arrive by the weekend....

[LtBlue14]

Let us know what you think, I'd be surprised if you were disappointed installing windows in 10-15 mins, booting up in 30 seconds, etc :D

[=ACID RAIN=]

I got the 10k raptor a while back for my gaming rig. FAST. I mean really FAST. And it's not even in RAID 0, it's a single drive. I would highly recommend one.

[JohnnyCNote]

Let us know what you think, I'd be surprised if you were disappointed installing windows in 10-15 mins, booting up in 30 seconds, etc :D

I can't imagine I would be disappointed. Stay tuned...

[JohnnyCNote]

Okay, here's what I did:

I bought both drives, the Raptor and the Maxtor 250 GB SATA for storage. Along with the other components below, I've noticed a huge difference in boot-up times. Coincidentially, I also upgraded my DSL speed to 3 Mbps, so it's been a speed-up week.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

[gamer004]

better change your forum name to..... Speed Freak!

I have a question that might fit into this. Say i buy a 76Gb Rapter. i have a IS7-MAX3, which supports RAID. I have the 76GB drive, but somehow, it seems like i need more Storage. Could i buy another 76GB Rapter and put it in RAID, or couldn't i?

[JohnnyCNote]

I'd consider it if I weren't so invested in JohnnyCNote. Actually, I suppose I could overclock it some, but I didn't really build it with that in mind as much as I just wanted something faster than my previous configuration.

As far as your other question goes, I'm afraid I must defer to others more qualified to answer than I....

[WheaT]

Let us know what you think, I'd be surprised if you were disappointed installing windows in 10-15 mins, booting up in 30 seconds, etc :D

Installing windows in 15 min? omg, now I cant wait until my 74 gig one arrives!

[gamer004]

i'll create my own thread with my question instead of barging into yours.

sorry.

~gamer

[JohnnyCNote]

Doesn't bother me....