Hard Drive Cache

[octopus41092]

Here are the list of hard drives that I can get.
500GB 8MB Cache - $70
500GB 16MB Cache - $80
750GB 16MB Cache - $120
750GB 32MB Cache - $150

Is there a big difference in performance between 16MB and 8MB of cache, or even 32MB and 16MB? Also would it make a big performance difference in gaming or loading times? Also which would be the best buy?

 

[imported_wired247]

500gb $80 unless you need more storage........

adding 16mb more cache won't unlock some uber performance

 

[imported_Scoop]

There is more to performance than just cache size, but it does make a difference, at least between 8MB and 16MB. You could have listed the actual names of the drives you were looking at, we'd know what we are comparing here.

 

[SickBeast]

IMO platter density is the most important (and most overlooked) feature of any hard drive.

In other words, look at the WD 3200AAKS (new revision only), wait for the new 320gb Samsung drive, or even the new 640gb ones. There are a bunch of great drives that will soon be on the market; it's worth waiting a few weeks IMO.

 

[octopus41092]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
IMO platter density is the most important (and most overlooked) feature of any hard drive.

In other words, look at the WD 3200AAKS (new revision only), wait for the new 320gb Samsung drive, or even the new 640gb ones. There are a bunch of great drives that will soon be on the market; it's worth waiting a few weeks IMO.

What sites tell the platter density, and how much of a difference is there between different ones?

Also the ones I'm looking at are the WD5000KS for 500GB and the WD7500AAKS for 750GB also if you have any recommendations, feel free to list them, but I'm just looking for a cheap hard drive that performs decently. I don't need a 10,000 RPM drive or anything.

 

[secretanchitman]

500GB 32MB cache.

aka my drive, seagate 500GB 7200.11 sata.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: octopus41092

Originally posted by: SickBeast
IMO platter density is the most important (and most overlooked) feature of any hard drive.

In other words, look at the WD 3200AAKS (new revision only), wait for the new 320gb Samsung drive, or even the new 640gb ones. There are a bunch of great drives that will soon be on the market; it's worth waiting a few weeks IMO.

What sites tell the platter density, and how much of a difference is there between different ones?

Also the ones I'm looking at are the WD5000KS for 500GB and the WD7500AAKS for 750GB also if you have any recommendations, feel free to list them, but I'm just looking for a cheap hard drive that performs decently. I don't need a 10,000 RPM drive or anything.

Read the new AT article on the WD 3200AAKS. It looks quite good, access times aside. The drive only costs around $75 for 320gb.

The WD 5000AAKS and 7500AAKS are both fine. The only problem is that they use 250gb platters (AFAIK); many newer drives are using 320gb platters. They are just coming to market now which is why I say you should wait a few more weeks, or else just find a current-revision 3200AAKS now.

I have never seen platter density listed in the specs (or even the number of platters for that matter). Some reviews will mention it, but not all.

I typically google the drives I'm interested in to try to verify how they perform.

 

[lopri]

Difference between 250GB and 320GB (both single platter) would be minimal, I think? And 500GB/750GB both need 2 platters and 3 platters, respectively, whether a platter is 250GB or 320GB.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: lopri
Difference between 250GB and 320GB (both single platter) would be minimal, I think? And 500GB/750GB both need 2 platters and 3 platters, respectively, whether a platter is 250GB or 320GB.

It would be around 28%, but you need to factor in the fact that the new platters use perpendicular storage. I realize that some of the previous 250GB platters did use perpendicular, but most didn't.

I just think that it's worthwhile to go with the newer platters seeing as it probably won't cost a premium over the current technology. :beer:

 

[andrei3333]

7200.11 32MB cache rules cause thats what i got

 

[Mondoman]

The platter density that SB mentions, along with the drive's rpm, will have a major impact on the maximum sustained data transfer rate, which is what you're really interested in.