Switching system hard disk

[jorwex]

I've got a 320GB Seagate ST3320620AS and a 640GB WD6400AAKS. The 640 is one of those newer ones with 2x320GB platters and I bought when I built a new pc with quietness in mind, and to give my previous 320GB system disk a rest.

So right now I have the 640GB multibooting a few OSs, and the remainder for storage. The 320GB drive is for storage as well.

I'm about to reformat and start from scratch installing Windows 7 and a few others. I find myself moving files around constantly because of file system and OS restrictions (some can't read others FSs, I'm running out of space in one place, so I can move them to another, but I have to switch OSs to do that first because one cant read the other..etc..).

So I was thinking, If I put the Operating systems on the smaller drive, I can have a bigger chunk (i.e. the 640 gb one) for storage and then I'll have less of a hassle moving files around.

So my question is, with benchmarks in favor of the larger drive, how much of a performance hit do you think I'll actually see if I switch to the older, admittedly slower drive?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: jorwex

So my question is, with benchmarks in favor of the larger drive, how much of a performance hit do you think I'll actually see if I switch to the older, admittedly slower drive?

Are you asking about benchmark performance results or noticeable real world difference?

 

[jorwex]

Oops. My bad. I set out writing this post with the intention of putting the words "real world" in there (no joke). I didn't realize I didn't put them in there

Yes. Real world difference, benchmarks and numbers aside.

 

[Paperdoc]

No numbers, but I can see two reasons for doing as you plan. One is that you separate OS and data files onto different drives, alleviating some waiting for a drive to finish its previous task. The other is, this would simplify your life so much, according to your description, that you would actually save time trying to move among drives, OS's and File Systems. The only danger might be you work flow would be so smooth you'd have time to notice the occasional waiting.

 

[jorwex]

the only other flaw that could i see is that i have more faith in the wd drive than the seagate. i toyed with the idea of just getting a new, larger hdd

thanks

 

[0roo0roo]

older drive, lower density per platter= slower
now look up the drive on storagereview.