Hard Drive suggestion for OS on a new build

[imported_Desperado]

I have a WD SE 750GB for data/photos/etc. and want to add a smaller HDD for the OS.
Don't really want to spring the $$ for a Raptor, so am looking for a good reliable HDD to put the OS and programs on.

What size (150GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB???) & brand would you recommend?

 

[OdiN]

Whatever WD is in your price range.

 

[cozumel]

Yup WDs are good. I like Seagate too.

 

[de8212]

I've got a sealed WD 74GB raptor for sale.


But really, I would see what the new seagates w/32MB cache are like.

 

[cozumel]

Originally posted by: de8212But really, I would see what the new seagates w/32MB cache are like.

The 7200.11 have had some good things said about them.

 

[OdiN]

I have 2 74GB raptors and 2 120GB WD's for sale

 

[imported_Desperado]

I would like to thank each of you for responding: OdiN, cozumel, and de8212.
You all contributing to making this a great place for information.

I am trying to narrow it down to one of these:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136161

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148140

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136074


I really would like to stay somewhat small (500GB or less) in case I have to reformat and re-install my OS.
However I realize that the $$/GB goes down as you go up in size.

FYI - I have read tons from this forum and other places (newegg, manufacturers sites, etc.) on these drives and my head is swimming with information. That's why I'm looking for some "real world" experience and advice. So again I thank everyone for responding.

Anyway, any preferences of the drives I've mentioned above??

Is there any advantage in going to a 160GB drive?

 

[Tiamat]

Is noise a concern? Different harddrives output different levels of noise and this could be a factor. Sometimes the more platters a HDD has, the more noisy it is, but this hasn't been a problem lately with Western Digital drives. I've had pretty good luck with WD SE16 WD5000KS in terms of low noise level. It isn't as good as my Nidec motor Samsung P80, but its pretty darn quiet.

 

[imported_Desperado]

Thank's for the input Tiamat.

I would like a quiet drive, so I guess noise is a concern but not critical.

My main deblima is how large/small a drive to go with since I only want this for the OS and program files (I have a WD 750GB for data).

Looking for recommendations and reason why.

 

[OdiN]

The AAKS series from WD should be pretty quiet. I have two 500GB AAKS drives and I can't hear them. I can hear my 150GB Raptor. I was hoping it would be a bit quieter, but I also replaced all my fans and such so my system is even more quiet now than it was when I had 74GB Raptors.

 

[newschool]

odin is right. AAKS series (WD SE16) are quiet and perform well. All up to 500gb. After that I think there is something better in the competition.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Desperado
Thank's for the input Tiamat.

I would like a quiet drive, so I guess noise is a concern but not critical.

My main deblima is how large/small a drive to go with since I only want this for the OS and program files (I have a WD 750GB for data).

Looking for recommendations and reason why.

Truthfully, I am running a Raptor 74GB for my OS/games. I can't tell you if there is an improvement from a standard today harddrive. I bought it because it is smaller and formats relatively quickly compared to a 500GB partition for instance.

I, perhaps unreasonably, fear the "all eggs in one basket" idea [or in other words, everything on one harddrive separated by partitions]. but that is because I have a ton of media at stake...

Since harddrive cost per GB up to 500GB is so reasonable now-a-days, I'd just forget about the capacity and get the most quiet one, most power efficient one, highest performance one, or the "perfect balance".

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
I, perhaps unreasonably, fear the "all eggs in one basket" idea [or in other words, everything on one harddrive separated by partitions]. but that is because I have a ton of media at stake...

Maybe it's time to build a low-power, low-cost server.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Look for a quiet HDD if you're picky about a quiet PC. Seagate and Maxtor are widely distributed. Many are sold with rebate, thus lowering the cost per GB to less than 11 cents.

 

[Ika]

This Seagate is actually a 7200.11 drive with a 250gb platter. A single platter means fewer moving parts, which translates to less heat and noise, and the high density means good performance. I love mine and I've been recommending this drive all over the forums

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Look for a quiet HDD if you're picky about a quiet PC. Seagate and Maxtor are widely distributed. Many are sold with rebate, thus lowering the cost per GB to less than 11 cents.

seagate and maxtor are the same company, same drives.

but both of them are relatively loud.

what you want to look for, OP, is samsung or WD drives. both of those companies make very quiet drives.