Hi ! My first post here
I am planning on building a new PC with two hard drives. I need some help deciding how I should set up these hard drives for optimal performance.
My current configuration is as follows:
Hard drive #1 = 30 Gb Maxtor 7200 rpm
Hard drive #2 = 80 Gb Maxtor 7200 rpm
CD-RW = Plextor 52x32x52
IDE1
Master - Hard drive #1 (OS/Swap File)
Slave - Hard drive #2 (Programs)
IDE2
Master - CD-RW
Slave - unused
From various sources on the net I have heard that data transfer rates between drives on the same channel is less efficient than transfers between channels. Therefore, an alternate configuration would be:
IDE1
Master - Hard drive #1(OS/Swap File)
Slave - unused
IDE2
Master - Hard drive #2 (Programs)
Slave - CD-RW
It's my understanding that having two hard drives set as 'Master' on separate IDE channels allows data from each drive to be read simultaneously rather than sequentially. On the face of it this seems like a better configuration for overall performance. However, I am aware that setting two hard drives as 'Master' in this manner can result in various issues, the nature of which I am not sure. I know ideally both drives should run at the same speed. I am also slightly worried about having the CD-ROM on the same IDE channel as Hard drive #2. Could this potentially impede hard drive access? Would this depend on (i) whether the CD-ROM was in use (ii) the data access rate of the CD-ROM?
The next question concerns the swap file. In both my examples it is located the same drive as the OS. The rationale behind this was to minimize the amount of 'background' hard drive usage on the drive my programs were located for faster access. Does this sound correct?
Any input would be much appreciated !