Will I really notice a difference between IDE and SATA 3.0?

HGC

Senior member
Dec 22, 1999
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I'm getting a new SATA 3.0 hard drive. I could install it in an external enclosure and use it to back up my existing IDE drive, or I could go through the hassle of reinstalling Windows from scratch and make the SATA drive my main drive. Is it worth the trouble for increased speed? Thanks!
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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I wouldn't bother, but to some people with lots of spare time shaving a second or two off boot and map/level load times would be worth it.

Most of the difference will only be noticeable in pointless benchmarks, not in real world use.
 

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
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You mean SATA 2.0, right?

You won't notice that much difference unless the older drive is slower RPM or has lower cache.
 

HGC

Senior member
Dec 22, 1999
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Right, roguestar, SATA 2.0, I was mixing it up with 3.0 Gb/s.

Thanks for the feedback!
 

HGC

Senior member
Dec 22, 1999
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My old drive is 7200 rpm and 8 MB cache. If I went for a new SATA drive with 16 MB cache, think I'd noitce a difference? I'm not much of a gamer. I guess loading time and general snappiness is what I'm wondering about.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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Newer hdd is faster because of the technological improvements. The interface change alone is not going to make a difference. Why not get a hold of Norton Ghost? That way you mirror the IDE drive onto the SATA drive and do a switch.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
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I like sdifox's idea. Not sure how much norton ghost is, but acronis was giving away version 7 of their true image software a while ago. I think they still are.
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
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Originally posted by: dph1077
I like sdifox's idea. Not sure how much norton ghost is, but acronis was giving away version 7 of their true image software a while ago. I think they still are.

i know that between ver8 and 9 they put in quite a few new drivers, so ver7 may not have the correct sata drivers. i know ver 8 didn't have my nf4 onboard nic drivers....but i would use acronis any day over ghost (and i use to use ghost for many years)

another thing to consider is if you are running a legit version xp then you will need to re-activate it and if you are running any adobe software, look into that process to because when moving hardware both of these companies make it a rea pita for you...
 

Bob Anderson

Member
Aug 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: HGC
I'm getting a new SATA 3.0 hard drive. I could install it in an external enclosure and use it to back up my existing IDE drive, or I could go through the hassle of reinstalling Windows from scratch and make the SATA drive my main drive. Is it worth the trouble for increased speed? Thanks!

It is simply not worth it to replace a working IDE with a SATA. Use the SATA with an enclosure.

I take it you don't have imaging software. You should. Acronis 9 or 10. You can make a perfect complete image of your IDE and store it on your new external SATA. There is no better backup strategy.

-Bob