See, and it's hard to tell if it's a Maxtor problem or a problem with those attracted to Maxtor. Maybe the demographics that buy Maxtor use cheapo power supplies or assign problems to the drive that aren't drive problems, so in the end, I dunnow!
I can tell you any drive will benefit from excellent case cooling and stout power. However, I had all that in place when the Maxtor went in the slot, and then out again due to definately dying!
I understand what you are going to do and my understanding is that Cousin Billy has it set up so Media Player will only run on the C: drive, so someone correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm not, then yes, you want a gigantic C: drive and you also want some good software to help you set it up and manage it. I'd actually advise two identical drives of the same size, preferrably purchased at the same time. That way, you can set up a 0 RAID array on most modern mommaboards and.. by the way, is that mommaboard...
RAID capable?
SATA2 capable?
If it's SATA2 capable, then you'll want a SATA2 drive. Yes, I know all the not living up to promises so far, but drivers improved over time will help.
Now, as far as programming goes, Acronis is grand! See, the major reason I use it is when formatting the drives. It allows you to do this whipe routine where it copies over everything in 0's then 1's like a shredder deal for your recycle bin. This makes everything clean as can be to start out with. Then Acronis will allow something the default, Cousin Billy style won't and that's having a chunk size larger than 2. You can strip out real long and it won't help you without bringing the chunk size along for the ride.
Then to manage the disc system while running, there's nothing better in my book than Diskeeper 9.0 Pro and no, the cracked version is pork on a stick! Also, let it actively monitor things for the first 24 hours of heavy use and then disable that feature. By then, it will have gathered the needed information and doesn't forget it just because you stop letting it actively watch. Unless you are running a commercial server, this is really the way to handle it and you then lose no performance by having the active thingy on. It will defrag everything including the page file and other things Cousin Billy won't or won't easily. It will do it much, much faster and better while it is at it. I gained 300 3VDMark05 points just by using Diskeeper 9.0 Pro.
So, answer these final questions and then I can advise.
Also, you have a budget here?
Facebook
Twitter