Which hard drive should I install winxp pro on?

[Phamine]

Maxtor 40gig 2mb, 7200rpm

or

Western Digital 80gig 8mb, 7200rpm

I was considering partitioning either one of the drives for windows and program files? Is that a good idea?

 

[Ionizer86]

The faster one (WD800JB) unless you plan to capture videos and need a fast drive to do so. Yea, go ahead and make partitions for Windows, progs, and documents as well. It helps maintain your data should you ever need to reformat the Win partition.

 

[Salvador]

The faster drive for sure. Your applications and OS will run faster.

Fast drive> OS and software
Slow drive> File storage

Partitioning is your call. I personally don't do it. If I'm trying to separate my files from software and the OS, I like to use a separate drive. That way if something happens to the drive where the OS is, I still have my files safe. You could also put a partition just for your OS and for your files, but I had my partitions get screwed up one time and lost everything on that drive anyway even if they were on different partitions.

I don't see the point in partitioning for software. All of your software will write something to the C drive anyway even if you install it somewhere else.

Sal

 

[LouPoir]

WD 0f course

 

[Phamine]

Why does a higher hard drive cache faster?

 

[Salvador]

Why does a higher hard drive cache faster?

When it starts a program, it caches some of the memory and gives it a little boost. You should see your applications run quicker initially. Things should open quicker. If you were to compare drives on larger downloads though, the smaller cache drive would cache up. It's mainly for short bursts used to open applications.

That's how I understand it anyway.. If someone has anything to add, or correct me on, feel free. 😉

Sal