150GB Western Digi Raptor Hard drive question

[Barrichello]

Guys - quick question as i cant see any detail on this on searchingthe web....

Apart from the fact that the Raptor x model has the see through case is there any difference between...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=496273

and

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=496274

I dont care about the window - just the performance, and the non window one is nealy 20quid cheaper so just trying to save where i can really

[Clunk]

Go for the non window one, save the cash, or spend the cash on something to muffle the bloody thing

[chuckskull]

Theres no performance difference, and the windowed one has a shorter lifespan. Clunks right, you'll wanna spend the extra money on a drive silencer of some kind

[HoldenBurn1000]

How does the window one have a shorter lifespan?

[chuckskull]

I don't know why, but it's WD's numbers.

[HoldenBurn1000]

huh fair enough. Seems strange lol.

[Madafwo]

I beleive the windows reduces the intergirty of the casing, along the lines of the seal between the window and the rest of the case is the weak link and could fail, instead of a piece of sheet metal there is a bond of plastic and metal, therefore reducing the potential life span.

Save the cash, you wont be able to see the drive anyway and buy a drive silencer, or a second cheap drive for storage.

[Barrichello]

cheers guys - more great advice as usual. Im going to get the non window one and that silencer from quiet pc. I have a spare large disk to use for all file stuff - just want a nice fast primary drive.

So nearly got all my parts for pc sorted now

so thats....

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
2Gb (2X1Gb) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP
150 Gb Western Digital WD1500ADFD Raptor

I got all this ready to order from scan, now if i could only decide on...

the power supply (430w seasonic not avaiable)
and the graphic card - i can place my order today

[chuckskull]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=228620 Looks great, works great. Not bad for £60. As for graphics it all depends on your budget.

I'm guessing from your other bits and bobs that somethign like http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=228620 would fit the bill. most power you'll find for that price.

[Clunk]

That scythe hard drive silencer thing is quite good, you can still hear the raptor, but it really takes the edge off it, and it hasnt set on fire yet, so thats a bonus as well.

[Mama Sumae]

In danger of being called stupid i would say that the life span is decrease due to the lower heat conductivity of the window.

Never had a raptor but i cant imagine it being louder than the cpu cooler i will have to just trust you guys regarding that silencer.

[this_is_gav]

Never had a raptor but i cant imagine it being louder than the cpu cooler i will have to just trust you guys regarding that silencer.

If you've got your case on the floor of an upstairs room, you'll be able to hear it in the room underneath if it's a bit quiet*. They're no obtrusively loud when working with them, but they're there, and rather more punchy when seeking than fans. You will hear them over a mid-high range graphics card fan, and most stock CPU coolers, but it's less annoying.

* [notices name of original poster] When you're getting up in the morning to watch the Aussie GP in March for instance