System Drive: WD740GD (8MB) Raptor vs. 6400AAKS?

[imported_harlanpepper]

I'm going to finally upgrade my system this week from my socket 939 3800+ X2 to an E8400. But I'm not sure what HD to use for my system drive when I reformat, as I recently picked up a WD Caviar 6400AAKS. My C: is currently on the 74gb Raptor (8mb version) with games and stuff on the 640gb. Some options I see:

1) Format 74gb Raptor as system, 640gb as Games/Media
2) Format 640gb as system+media, 74gb as Games
3) Format 640gb as system, buy another 640gb (Black) to use for games, retire the 74gb to a side project.

Any ideas? Other possibilities? I have an external that I use for backing up, so redundancy isn't an issue. I'm just not sure if the old 74gb Raptor drives are all that fast compared to some of the new ones out now like the WD blue and black (re: windows startup, game performance). As it will probably be a couple more years before I upgrade again, is the Raptor a bad long-term commitment for a system drive?

 

[SickBeast]

IMO you should sell off your Raptor.

Both drives will perform about the same. The Raptor is too small, and will just generate additional heat and noise for the sake of a paltry 74gb. Sure, in some situations it will be quicker than the 640gb drive, but not often enough to be worth it IMO.

 

[imported_harlanpepper]

Thanks for the input - it's pretty much what I've been thinking. The performance used to make up for the lack of space with the 74gb raptor drives, but that's no longer the case when you can get multiple terabytes for the same money. I'll retire it to pasture and pick up a 640 black once the prices drop a few bucks.

 

[n7]

Raptor for OS & programs.

640 GB partitioned, some for games or larger installs; rest for backup.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: n7
Raptor for OS & programs.

640 GB partitioned, some for games or larger installs; rest for backup.

There ya have it.

This makes it very easy to install/repair the OS from an image/back-up without all the hassles of large data duplication/copying.

You get the great access times/speed of the Raptor and the extended storage capabilities of the second drive without the need to be concerned about having the latest and greatest specs for it.

 

[perdomot]

I replaced my 74GB Raptor with the 150GB V-Raptor and used the 640GB for storage. The low access time of the VR makes it worthwhile as the 640 doesn't feel as fast during ops.

 

[imported_harlanpepper]

Now I'm back on the fence. Though it does make sense for the system drive to be small and physically separate from my data/games - and I can just ghost it onto a partition on the 640gb for backup. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

 

[T9D]

...

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: harlanpepper
Now I'm back on the fence. Though it does make sense for the system drive to be small and physically separate from my data/games - and I can just ghost it onto a partition on the 640gb for backup. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

:laugh:

I didn't even know there was a question.

This type set-up with a decent back-up plan/drive, would resolve 90% of the "OMG, How could this happen to me---I'll die without those pics----PLEASE HELP MY DYING HDD--You mean I can't reformat without losing my data" type of posts.

It's just common sense.

Now Harlan, where's your back-up?

At the very least, put an Acronis image of the "C" drive on that 640 HD.

 

[imported_harlanpepper]

I've always 1) kept my system files on a separate drive, and 2) backed my files up externally, so I'm not concerned as much about that as whether I should ditch the 74gb drive entirely in favor of the 640gb (I currently have one external 640gb drive that I use for backing up and one 640gb internal). It sounds like the responses are about 50/50 for keeping or tossing the Raptor. Performance is probably similar to the WD Caviar drive, but the Raptor is hotter, less efficient, and small. I'll continue mull it over until I get the new CPU/mobo on Thurs...

 

[Old Hippie]

I've always 1) kept my system files on a separate drive, and 2) backed my files up externally

Nice Harlan, You've got 'er down to a fne art! :thumbsup:

The low access time on the Raptors is their forte and currently can't be equaled by any other SATA drive. If you can get away with a 10-20GB partition on your Raptor for an OS only drive and keep it defragged, it will be a little screamer.

I've done this partitioning trick on Raptors and VR Raptors and it works well. It will keep your files on the fastest part (outside tracks) of the drive and keep the access times to a minimum.

Good Luck!

 

[perdomot]

I replaced my 74GB raptor with the 640GB after seeing the higher read/write rates but once installed, the system did not seem as snappy as it was with the raptor. I swapped the drives out a couple of times to compare performance and the raptor just felt faster so I decided to use the 640 for storage and bought the 150GB V-Raptor to replace the old raptor. The system flies and I'm happy with the performance. I also made an image of the raptor for backup purposes and put it on the 640 hdd in case anything happens to the main drive. Did a test run of restoring the system and it took less than 2 minutes. Not too shabby IMO.

 

[imported_harlanpepper]

Thanks, Perdomot! Good to hear from someone with the same hardware who already figured it out. :thumbsup: Sounds like my Raptor may have a little more life in it after all - I'll go ahead with my Plan #1 in the first post and maybe image the install to a new V-Raptor in the future when I have some spare cash.

 

[perdomot]

Do yourself a favor and make 2 images, one with only windows and no drivers and the other one with the drivers and updates installed. The reason for the first one with no drivers is to avoid the problems with updated vid drivers, etc.