What's a good cheap harddrive?

[DL402]

I'm thinking about getting that 80gb harddrive from compusa for $10, but its only ATA.

They have a 250GB SATA for $60.

I'm wondering if there's a big difference between ATA and SATA. If there isn't I'll just get the 80gb, but if there is, I'll try to find a SATA harddrive within the 100-200gb range for $30-$50.

 

[Sunbird]

No, there isn't a big difference, not even a small difference, maybe a miniscule difference and mostly thats physical...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

sata's the way to go, even if theres not much difference, you'll just feel better with current generation hardware. you dont want to buy old( ata is considered very old) hardware now. and plus sata cables are much easier to use

 

[DL402]

well are there any deals for SATA's there are atleast 80gb, and cost around $30-$50?

 

[furballi]

Buying SATA is plain STUPID at this time. You're paying premium $ with little to no performance gain.

 

[imported_rod]

At the moment, (for SATA drives) 250GB drives seem to give the best $/GB.

RoD

 

[DL402]

Every reply contradicts one another...

 

[Bobthelost]

PATA is not going to be supported forever, expect it to be phased out slowly in the upcoming years (blueray and HD-DVD will almost certainly be SATA only). As such the main legacy purpose of PATA (the optical drives) will disapear. Some of the newer board designs have only the one PATA channel.

SATA has nicer cabling.

PATA is cheaper GB/GB.

The performance increase going to SATA is minimal for the most part, and if you were to buy a larger PATA drive for the same money then it'd be negligable.

If you want the fastest drive then get the 250GB one, or buy two (+) of those $10 ones and stick them in RAID0. It will give you a speed increase in some situations like boot times and why not when they are that cheap.

 

[DL402]

Would it be wise to just buy the cheap 80gb one for now and then in the future, maybe 1-2 years, get a good SATA one?