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450GB WD Velociraptor $129.99 Newegg Shell Shocker

That's pretty hot! According to Camelegg the price started at $270, and has never (previously) been below $150. Note that the 450GB and 600GB models are faster than the 300GB and smaller models, due to higher platter density. For those who need the space (got hundreds of Steam games?) and can't afford $800 to put it all on SSD, this may be a reasonable alternative. Yes, these are still overall faster than any 7200RPM HDD.

Tempting, but I'll hold off on a 600GB VelociRaptor deal.
 
Considered long and hard, and finally pulled the trigger. Non-sale prices for these drives are way too high because the boost in performance isn't spectacular like going SSD. But at this price, I feel that it is a good middle ground between 7,200 drives and SSD.

Thanks OP.
 
So a question, has anyone who has bought an ssd since Intel G1/Indilinx generation ever decide to get a raptor after that ssd purchase? (It does not matter as a data/game drive, scratch drive, or os drive).

I am just curious.
 
I got an SSD around mid August. Loving it so far. I've also got a TB 7200 Spinpoint F3. Considering getting the Raptor because It's such a great price and it'd be a nice drive to hold games on. And maybe some apps I don't want on the SSD.
 
How would this drive compare with the Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB 2.5" notebook drive that has 4GB of NAND as a cache to speed it up and costs about a 100 bucks?
 
Roland00Address said:
So a question, has anyone who has bought an ssd since Intel G1/Indilinx generation ever decide to get a raptor after that ssd purchase?
Click to expand...

I would, if the price was right and it was the 600GB model. It is all about the $/GB versus speed.

CHEAP <------------------------------------------------------> EXPENSIVE
SLOW <--------------------------------------------------------------> FAST
5400RPM--7200RPM--------10000RPM--------------------------------SSD

Most hit 5400RPM for mass storage, which totally makes sense.

Most hit SSD for fast applications/boot if they can afford it, which totally makes sense.

Everyone else usually gets 7200RPM drives, because that's what they always get.

Is 10000RPM worth the extra money? All depends. SSDs are always faster, but so far cost a LOT more $/GB. If your needs are low, then small SSDs are affordable. If you need fast and lots of space, few can afford SSDs, so VelociRaptors start sounding decent. For example, what if you are a dedicated gamer and want your entire collection of games on Steam to be available at all times? Sure, you can spend just over $1000 for a 480GB SSD, or you can spend $130 (in this expired deal) for a Velociraptor 450GB, or you can spend $50 (in that other deal) for a 1TB Samsung F3 and short stroke it to get near the VR performance.

Really, up to the individual on a price-performance-capacity curve.
 
Nintendesert said:
Every time I read up on the Momentus Xt I get tempted for my older laptop.
Click to expand...
I did in an older I5 laptop and I've been really happy with it.

I'd even get one for my low-end C50 laptop if I hadn't already put a SSD in it. (Not much need for storage space in that one.)
 
Zap said:
I would, if the price was right and it was the 600GB model. It is all about the $/GB versus speed.

CHEAP <------------------------------------------------------> EXPENSIVE
SLOW <--------------------------------------------------------------> FAST
5400RPM--7200RPM--------10000RPM--------------------------------SSD

Most hit 5400RPM for mass storage, which totally makes sense.

Most hit SSD for fast applications/boot if they can afford it, which totally makes sense.

Everyone else usually gets 7200RPM drives, because that's what they always get.

Is 10000RPM worth the extra money? All depends. SSDs are always faster, but so far cost a LOT more $/GB. If your needs are low, then small SSDs are affordable. If you need fast and lots of space, few can afford SSDs, so VelociRaptors start sounding decent. For example, what if you are a dedicated gamer and want your entire collection of games on Steam to be available at all times? Sure, you can spend just over $1000 for a 480GB SSD, or you can spend $130 (in this expired deal) for a Velociraptor 450GB, or you can spend $50 (in that other deal) for a 1TB Samsung F3 and short stroke it to get near the VR performance.

Really, up to the individual on a price-performance-capacity curve.
Click to expand...

For those of you on the upgrade path...consider this, get yourself a Z68 mobo and a small 60gb or less (min 20gb) SSD cheaper is better, than use the new Intel Smart Response Technology a.k.a SRT for SSD caching HDD then watch your apps/games load time almost as fast as SSD (90&#37; within SSD speed territory and beats the Velociraptor by a long distance margin) . I know I have done this myself and now I just watch the SRT do wonder for my games. This to me is the least expensive alternative to get around the cost of $$$/GB on SSD.
FYI...I use a 64gb (that cost me $71) to caching my WD 1TB BC (my gaming HDD that cost me $79). The total costs me around $160 and effectively what I'm getting is a 1TB SSD. I hope now you start seeing the picture.
 
Last edited:
so I got in on this deal, its gonna be my "steam" drive, lol

I also never owned a raptor before so gonna pop my raptor cherry!
 
videopho said:
For those of you on the upgrade path...consider this, get yourself a Z68 mobo and a small 60gb or less (min 20gb) SSD cheaper is better, than use the new Intel Smart Response Technology a.k.a SRT for SSD caching HDD then watch your apps/games load time almost as fast as SSD (90% within SSD speed territory and beats the Velociraptor by a long distance margin) . I know I have done this myself and now I just watch the SRT do wonder for my games. This to me is the least expensive alternative to get around the cost of $$$/GB on SSD.
FYI...I use a 64gb (that cost me $71) to caching my WD 1TB BC (my gaming HDD that cost me $79). The total costs me around $160 and effectively what I'm getting is a 1TB SSD. I hope now you start seeing the picture.
Click to expand...

its a good option if you already have z68 with supported cpu, but there is too much life still in my x58 i7 950, it would be too much of a side grade for me.
 
Stas said:
You sure it's not the number of platters? Thus the sizes: 150/300/450/600, starting with a single platter 150GB model.
Click to expand...

I doubt that there are four platters in the 600GB drive.

Anand's Review

See the bottom of the first page. The 450GB and 600GB models have 200GB platters while the 150GB and 300GB models still sport 150GB platters.

Hmmm, I wonder if the 450GB model uses a bit more of the free space, thus staying at two platters, or if it is three platters short stroked?

Damn, maybe I should have gotten one after all?
 
Zap said:
I doubt that there are four platters in the 600GB drive.

Anand's Review

See the bottom of the first page. The 450GB and 600GB models have 200GB platters while the 150GB and 300GB models still sport 150GB platters.

Hmmm, I wonder if the 450GB model uses a bit more of the free space, thus staying at two platters, or if it is three platters short stroked?

Damn, maybe I should have gotten one after all?
Click to expand...



got the drive installed last night on a fresh install.
drive is around 419GB usable if i recall...

ran a few quick benches, the latest marvell 6g drivers on the evga x58 ftw3 board made a huge difference in writes and reads for small files.
 
I also received my drive. Does anyone have software suggestions for migrating my Win 7 64-bit installation? Preferably free, but won't mind paying for a good hassle free solution.
 
yuchai said:
I also received my drive. Does anyone have software suggestions for migrating my Win 7 64-bit installation? Preferably free, but won't mind paying for a good hassle free solution.
Click to expand...

Do you have a spare HDD or USB HDD? Windows has built in imaging software, so it would be a two step procedure but should work handily. It is in All Programs > Maintenance > Backup and Restore.
 
Zap said:
Do you have a spare HDD or USB HDD? Windows has built in imaging software, so it would be a two step procedure but should work handily. It is in All Programs > Maintenance > Backup and Restore.
Click to expand...

I had forgotten about that feature. Will give it a go. Thanks!
 
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