Drive for Windows etc...

[NightshadowUK]

I've decided I quite fancy the idea of having a seperate 80GB SATA300 Hard Drive just to run Windows and Office off, that way all of my important files are safe on my 250GB should something go wrong.

I'm gonna choose between one of the 80GB drives from Scan but I'm not sure which to go for. I'm tempted by the Samsung as I'm very pleased with my current one but a Google search showed reviews to be lacking so I was just wondering what everyone's experience was with brands of HDD?

Many thanks.

[Splash]

My recommendation would be to look at getting yourself a 74Gb Raptor as your system drive - it's always nice to have a nice quick disk for what you're speccing for.

[Mimp]

The samsung is very quiet, one of the quietest 3.5" drives available, so if that matters to you it's a winner. If not there are faster drives around.

[NightshadowUK]

Well I'm yet to wish my 250GB Samsung was any quicker, even on boot it's rather rapid but I was wondering if the 80GB Hitachi would quicker as the 250GB version apparently out does the Spinpoint (so say CPC).

I'm not too bothered about noise as my three 80mm drown out pretty much everything although I don't fancy spending four times the cash just for a slightly faster than standard Raptor.

[Tifosi]

seagate ftw I have 7 all over 2-3 years all good so far no failures

[JPreston]

Yes the Samsung is a very nice and quiet drive

[NightshadowUK]

Just a quick thought, would a 36GB Raptor destroy a modern 80GB SATA300 drive or are they outdated now?

[DanceswithUnix]

Just a quick thought, would a 36GB Raptor destroy a modern 80GB SATA300 drive or are they outdated now?

Totally depends on what you are doing with it. The latest drives will have better data density so pulling many MB off them will be faster (eg game loading times). If you are into databases, I would expect the raptor to win.

I gather those old raptors would be more likely to destroy your eardrums than anything else!

I would say to buy the cheapest and spend the difference on beer, but perhaps that is just me If you _really_ want performance, buy a pair of 80GB drives and stripe them.

[Koolpc]

Samsung are superb drives. Why not get a 40g if you are only putting windows and office on it? I think it would be overkill getting a Raptor just so windows loads about 5secs more than on a normal drive!

[NightshadowUK]

Nice one guys, I've made up my mind now. I was all for getting a 40GB until I realised that for a fiver more I could double the capacity so a Samsung it is!

EDIT: One more thing... is there any right or wrong way to go about this kind of thing in terms of installing what where? Like shall I put my firewall/antivirus on the 80GB... and what about CS:S as I play it more than anything else?

[Koolpc]

I would say put the Firewall / Antivirus on the 80g. I am thinking of getting an external Hard drive. That way i will remember to back up and it is separate just in case anything happens to the PC!! Especially with a child on the way!!

[DanceswithUnix]

EDIT: One more thing... is there any right or wrong way to go about this kind of thing in terms of installing what where? Like shall I put my firewall/antivirus on the 80GB... and what about CS:S as I play it more than anything else?

Putting swap on a different drive to your main applications can help performance.

[TheAnimus]

I gather those old raptors would be more likely to destroy your eardrums than anything else!

No they just destroy themselfs!

[Koolpc]

Raptors are loud. My mate has 2 in his PC.

[arthurleung]

Raptors are loud. My mate has 2 in his PC.

My 3xMaxtor + 2xSeagates + 2xWD are louder than 8 low-speed 8cm fans
Though the music easily flooded the noise...

[Koolpc]

My Seagate is suspended with sewing elastic in the CDRom bay!! Super quiet!