USB thumb drive as HD for HTPC?

[zylander]

Im looking to build an HTPC and I was wondering if anyone has used a USB thumb drive has the HD for their HTPC. The only software that will be installed on my HTPC is the OS (Vista w/ media center) and play back software for BD. All media will be stored on my server and streamed to the HTPC and there is really no need for me to have any extra space on the HTPC.

Given that I will not be running any programs other than WMC and maybe firefox and no files will be stored to the HTPC, would I have a significant drop in performance if I used a thumb drive as the hard drive?

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I'm not sure if that will work or not. You are probably better off using a compact flash card with a CF to IDE adapter. If you do it this way windows will see it as a regular hard drive.

 

[jtvang125]

Don't think vista is bootable from a thumbdrive. A quick google search only shows installing vista FROM a usb drive and not TO. Even if it works they're still relatively expensive. A vista install requires about 20gig so the smallest drive you have to get is a 32gb one at ~$60. For the same price you can get a 500gb hard drive.

If all that's going to be on there is the OS, just pick up a 80gb hard drive and you're set.

 

[Kaido]

I've tried it on my Mac and it's excruiatingly slow. However, OCZ started selling a fast eSATA flash drive with 90 MB/s read:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/p...ttle_esata_flash_drive

Newegg has the 16gb version for $45.99, which should cover your OS & apps for a streaming media player:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227391

 

[zylander]

hmmm, I like that OCZ flash drive, though after looking at some laptop hard drives, I may just pick up a 120gb for about $70. I didnt realize how big the Vista install was.

 

[erwos]

I would love to see a review of the Throttle actually confirm those speeds. Still, neat idea.