No Problem.....Just Want Some Opinions

[Carbo]

Thinking of upgrading my system, and I wanted to get some varying feedback from the greatest collection of geeks the world has ever known.
Currently running a less than year old Dell Dimension 4600. XP Pro. P4/3GHz, 1G RAM, an 80GB hard drive as my main disk, with a 40GB slave running off of it.
The rig is used in a home office environment. Mainly emails, internet, and Word docs. No heavy use at all, no graphics, no games, etc. As it stands right now, definitely more than adequate for my needs. I don't need to upgrade, but hell, I want to.
Thinking of buying a 36GB Raptor as my main drive. On this drive would be the OS, and the programs I use. I figure the total in used space I would need is about 15G's. Maybe a bit more, but nowhere near the 36G's available.
Then, I could slave another drive off of this one to be used for backup, storage, and MP3's. For this I could pick up a deal an a good 80GB SATA drive, I'm sure. My reasoning is that the main drive gives me the speed, while the slave gives me the backup and ample storage as it is needed.
What do you think of this? Other/better ideas?

 

[Blain]

Does the Dell MB have an onboard SATA controller, or would you have to add one?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, given what you use the computer for (basic Internet use...no gaming, video editing, or graphic design), the HD upgrade seems like overkill.

But believe me, I know how it is when the upgrade bug hits you.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: Blain
Does the Dell MB have an onboard SATA controller, or would you have to add one?

Yes. The included mobo supports two SATA drives.

 

[sniperruff]

with the raptor you won't get much better performance out of it... is loading windows 3 seconds faster worth the money?

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
with the raptor you won't get much better performance out of it... is loading windows 3 seconds faster worth the money?

Is that really the only "real world" difference I would see??

 

[Promethply]

May want to consider the Raptor74, its a bit more nimble than the Raptor36, and its transfer rates is better than most other SATAs (quite a bit higher than the Raptor36)

 

[Promethply]

Originally posted by: Carbo

Originally posted by: sniperruff
with the raptor you won't get much better performance out of it... is loading windows 3 seconds faster worth the money?

Is that really the only "real world" difference I would see??

As you're using it as a boot drive, you will notice the difference, as most application load up much faster,

but not when you're regularly transfer huge files.

 

[ribbon13]

The WD360GD has no redeeming features whatsoever...

The WD740GD is a good purchase IMHO. It will make a good boot/system/apps drive for at least 2-3 upgrade cycles if not more. It won't lose its value that fast either. People regularly spend $500 on a video card that will be worth maybe half that in 18 months.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
The WD360GD has no redeeming features whatsoever...

Wow! That's a harsh assessment. But I'm thinking that the only difference between the 36GB and 74GB Raptors is storage capacity. Aren't they the same performance wise and reliability wise?

 

[ribbon13]

No. The 36GB doesn't perform much better than a 7200rpm SATA! the 74GB performs a lot better.

 

[Promethply]

The differences between the Raptor74 compared to the Raptor36 goes beyond capacity alone.

The Raptor74 uses Fluid Dynamic Bearing, so it's quiter than the Raptor36.

Its transfer rate is also considerably higher.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Promethply
The differences between the Raptor74 compared to the Raptor36 goes beyond capacity alone.

True... True

 

[Carbo]

Seems, then, the ovbious choice would be the 74GB model. Hmmm.....damn upgrade bug! Where, oh where, can I find a 74GB Raptor for, oh, $79??
Time for a Google search...

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Originally posted by: Carbo
Seems, then, the ovbious choice would be the 74GB model. Hmmm.....damn upgrade bug! Where, oh where, can I find a 74GB Raptor for, oh, $79??
Time for a Google search...

A 79 raptor can be had at Five Finger Discount Mo's for the low price of 3-5 years in your local "correctional" establishment.

If you are upgrading that machine, which I would like to have!, I would go with graphics card and hard-drive (watch the PSU).

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: Carbo
Seems, then, the ovbious choice would be the 74GB model. Hmmm.....damn upgrade bug! Where, oh where, can I find a 74GB Raptor for, oh, $79??
Time for a Froogle search

Fixed.

 

[Promethply]

The OEM (not refurbished) version may cost a bit more, but comes with a five-year warranty.

 

[ribbon13]

from its manufactured date. Not from when you buy it. Also note its the only WD line with 5yr warranty. All Seagates get 5yr. ^^

 

[Promethply]

I bought my OEM raptor on January 2005, and it was manufactured in December 2004, so that's fine.

 

[ribbon13]

Didn't say it was a problem, just being concise.

 

[Promethply]

all's cool :beer: