SATA vs IDE HD's

[DanHiggsBeard]

I'm building my first machine, and I can't decide between SATA or IDE hard drives.

Just for some general background info, I'm not a gamer and I don't care about overclocking. Noise has not, and should not be a problem for me. I also have no interest in RAID at this point in time.

Am I really going to notice a huge difference if I go SATA? Unless I find an incredible deal at Fry's, I'm tempted to just get more space with 8 mb's more cache for the same price.

If I do go SATA, will I have any issues using a 2nd IDE drive?

Someone help sway me.

 

[Gamingphreek]

SATA is just newer and supports a hgiher theoretical bandwidth (150 vs 133). However there is maybe a 1-2% performance difference simply because drive manf reduced the sound management in favour or more speed.

SATA using and IDE HDD as a second HDD will be no problem.

Its personal preference and price at this point. SATA is more future proof, but IDE is going to be around for a while yet.

-Kevin

 

[DanHiggsBeard]

Thanks.

HD's are one component I'm not really worried about future proofing.

My mobo will have SATA support, and I guess by the time I'm ready to go that route I should be able to get duplicate drives really cheap for RAID 0.

Looks like IDE is the way to go for me right now, though that 4 minutes Windows install on a SATA sure does sound sweet.

 

[Zepper]

SATA drives ARE IDE just in case you didn't know. Should be SATA vs PATA. No significant diff except for smaller cables unless you are willing to pay for Raptors...
.bh.

 

[Vegito]

you should worry about future proof.. some of these new mobo only has 1 set of pata connectors.. thats either for 1 cd/dvd + 1 writer or 1 cd/dvd/writer + 1 hdd..

of course not all mobo manufature are the same.. some will have 2 pata connectors for 4 drive.. but you'll never know..

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: forcesho
you should worry about future proof.. some of these new mobo only has 1 set of pata connectors.. thats either for 1 cd/dvd + 1 writer or 1 cd/dvd/writer + 1 hdd..

of course not all mobo manufature are the same.. some will have 2 pata connectors for 4 drive.. but you'll never know..

Can always use an IDE card like me.

each drive in my system is a master 😉

and the cards are like $20 now!

 

[Amaroque]

Another thing to consider is that the cables are much smaller. It'll make for easier cable management (neater case), and a somewhat cooler case due to better air flow.

SATA cables are easier to work with. Any performance differences are negligible though.

 

[acemcmac]

I have 1 sata HD, 2 PATA HD's and 2 PATA opticals, no issues

 

[Insomniak]

Whichever is less expensive. Real world performance difference is almost nil, even with RAID 0.

 

[imported_toot]

If you would like to use NCQ (if your mobo supports it too) you will only find that feature on SATA drives.

It's debatable if NCQ helps performance, but if you want the option.. you have to go SATA.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: DanHiggsBeard
Looks like IDE is the way to go for me right now, though that 4 minutes Windows install on a SATA sure does sound sweet.

I don't know where you heard that, but there is no 4 minute Windows install, not even with Raptors. The only way you could even come CLOSE is if you Ghosted an image of a previous installation onto a new drive. And that would be just as fast with IDE.

<--owns a Raptor