Difference between Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 8 and 9?

[brigden]

I know the DM+ 9 has an 8MB buffer option, but what are the other differences between the two models?

 

[ElFenix]

9 has higher areal density

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
9 has higher areal density

Please explain. How would this benefit me?

 

[Pariah]

They're the same drives using the same platters. The DM+ 9 just comes in higher capacities (60GB+) and has other options, like SATA and 8MB cache.

The DM+ 8 is a budget drive that has one platter and one read head limiting capacity to 40GB and reducing production cost.

 

[WobbleWobble]

To add to what Pariah said, the DM+8 drives are also considerably thinner than the DM+9 drive. And also, from experience, the DM+8 drives are noticably quieter than the DM+9 drives.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: ElFenix
9 has higher areal density

Please explain. How would this benefit me?

The data is packed together more closely, so the heads don't have to move as far to read data. It basically helps speed\capacity.

 

[brigden]

OK, thanks guys. I understand now.

Now, would the difference in seek/read times between the two models be noticable? I mainly use my rig for gaming.

 

[brigden]

Anyone?

 

[brigden]

I need clarification on this...

 

[Pariah]

No, the difference is only .5ms.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Pariah
No, the difference is only .5ms.

Thank you.