Raptor 74GB Drive: New Features???

[willynh]

Is there a difference between these two offerings, other than one is OEM and the other is Retail? I'm looking for performance issues and one is listed as ESATA (the retail drive) and the other is listed as SATA (OEM model)

*****LINKS*****

Raptor (retail drive)
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-144-366&depa=0

vs.


Raptor (OEM drive)
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-144-160&depa=0


I realize that new drive technologies are coming out all the time and I want my future NForce4 system to use these new features.

Thank you!

 

[willynh]

Does anyone know about this? I sincerely would appreicate any information!

 

[Zucarita9000]

It's the same drive. The retail one is sold as "Enterprise-class" (the E in ESATA). Get the OEM drive, unless you want to pay $70 for a box, some cables and an instructions booklet.

Oh, retail drives carry a five year warranty. If that's important to you, go for it. I think OEM drives have a three year warranty.

 

[Trashman]

They both have a 5 year warranty....buy oem one.

 

[JBT]

Both have 5 year warrenty's. The retail does come with a nice little SATA cable that is called "secure connect" it basically makes the connection a little bit better and makes it MUCH stronger so you don't have to worry about snapping connectors its also been said that it can improve through put because the connection is better. I have one and its great. You don't need to buy the retail version to get it though. You can find them sold alone for ~10-12 dollars at aplaces like zipzoomfly.com They also only work on WD drives.

 

[Amaroque]

Are you talking about the blue cable that is MUCH wider at the drive connection, with two plastic square nubs on either end? If so, the only problem is that you can't use SATA power connectors, it covers the SATA power connector. So you have to use the Molex power connector.

 

[EvilRage]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
Are you talking about the blue cable that is MUCH wider at the drive connection, with two plastic square nubs on either end? If so, the only problem is that you can't use SATA power connectors, it covers the SATA power connector. So you have to use the Molex power connector.

Is there any significant difference, performance or otherwise, using the Molex power connector vs the SATA power connector?

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: EvilRage

Originally posted by: Amaroque
Are you talking about the blue cable that is MUCH wider at the drive connection, with two plastic square nubs on either end? If so, the only problem is that you can't use SATA power connectors, it covers the SATA power connector. So you have to use the Molex power connector.

Is there any significant difference, performance or otherwise, using the Molex power connector vs the SATA power connector?

No, and definitely not for performance... :roll:

 

[EvilRage]

so why have both usable?

 

[Samus]

because molex isn't hot-swapable, well not without sending a spike through the PSU. although most psu's take the power spike pretty well and the rest of the system is unphased, its not a professional method of hot swaping a drive. hence, SATA power connector. the SATA power connector also leaves headroom for future optimizations (lower power requirements) via a 3.3v rail in addition to 5v and 12v. i see the industry moving to 3.3v electronics from the current 5v electronics used in drives now. only time will tell.

-Tim

 

[Soulkeeper]

the only variances i've heard of is that some of the earlier raptors didn't have fluid dynamic bearings installed

most all new oem/retail should be the same now