Large hard drive - worth the expense?

[CotswoldCS]

I am looking at replacing a WD400JB 40Gb drive. It's barely half full so I don't really need any more than 40Gb but was wondering if a larger drive would provide better performance. How much difference will I see moving from 40Gb (WD400JB) to a higher capacity drive (100Gb+) in the same model?

 

[trak0rr0kart]

you will see more performance because the Hd will be of greater density which means you will read more data for the same rev compared to the 40 GB.

 

[Budmantom]

I would say it will cost less per gig, I don't think you will see much of a performance increase unless you go to a hd with 8mb cache. With 8mb cache it still won't be a big perfornace increase.

 

[DurocShark]

I don't think the increase would be worth the cost... Maybe hold out for a SATA or go with a striping raid?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: trak0rr0kart
you will see more performance because the Hd will be of greater density which means you will read more data for the same rev compared to the 40 GB.

Possibly not even that if it is really the same model -- for a given model line the higher-capacity drives often have extra platters not higher-density platters. For example a 60 GB = 1 platter, 120 GB = 2 platters, 200 GB = 3 platters all at the same density (66 GB, with extra space "turned off" for 60GB & 120 GB).

This varies even within single a model number though, according to StorageReview.com some manufacturers have made, for example, 160 GB drives using both 2 x 80 GB and 3 x 60 GB platters for the same drive model.

 

[trak0rr0kart]

holy shiz.. you corrected me! you must die.. die now... lol. Sorry about that.. I just assumed he knew.. but now that you mention it......

 

[OverVolt]

If you don't need the space, buy a WDRaptor, why not two and a RAID0 card while ur at it!!!

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
If you don't need the space, buy a WDRaptor, why not two and a RAID0 card while ur at it!!!

 

[MikeMike]

pick up the 120gb in the hot deals forum, next week, its 8mb cache which makes a MAJOR* improvement and is only 30$

*(major != major, but slight)

 

[T9D]

..

 

[Jhhnn]

Why are you wanting to replace the 40gig drive? Obviously not lack of space... You *might* notice some increased responsiveness with a newer larger drive, particularly the large cache models when moving large files. The seek times haven't increased appreciably in later models, other than the Raptors, that's where scsi has the advantage...

Raid 0 definitely is fast, but the need for proper backups is increased. if the array craps out, you're truly screwed...

 

[zephyrprime]

The only IDE drive that will give you a big performance boost is the raptor. Any other drive will only give minimal benefits.

 

[joeld]

I just bought the 40 gb maxtor in the staples ad. max speed of ~63000kps in HDTach with an average of ~51400kps. I don't know how bigger drives are now a days, but that kicks my WD1000BB's butt pretty good. What's the average read spead of the raptor?

 

[HappyCracker]

What's wrong with your 400JB? I have two of them in RAID 0 and they fly. The 8meg cache leaves nothing to be desired.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

So hold on.

You're not using the capacity.
You're not going to gain much in speed.

And you're upgrading why, exactly?

- M4H