Would like some serial HD advice for new build

[Ken90630]

Hey, All,

I'm doing a new build for a friend and would like some HD advice. For various reasons, I haven't kept up with HDs for awhile, so I was wondering if you guys could recommend a good, reliable serial HD.

I just need small capacity, like 80 GB or so, and trouble-free performance/reliability are more important than sheer speed. Are there any serial HDs that have been problematic that I should stay away from? Any particularly good ones that everyone seems to love?

I generally lean towards Seagate 'cuz of the FD bearings and five-year warranties, but I'm open to other suggestions (except Maxtor). And a Raptor is too expensive for this build, so no need to open that can of worms here.

Oh, and this will be an Athlon A64 3500+ system with (probably) an Asus M2N-E mobo. And just one HD -- no RAID. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[Baked]

Any reason you're going for the small capacity HD? You can get the Seagate 7200.10 320GB for under $100. $85 @ newegg w/ coupon.

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: Ken90630
Hey, All,

I'm open to other suggestions (except Maxtor).

You do realize..seagate owns maxtor now, so technicaly if you get a maxtor you are getting a seagate...

But I still would go with seagate or western digital, I have had 0 problems with either of them, seagate does have the better warranty.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: stevty2889

You do realize..seagate owns maxtor now, so technicaly if you get a maxtor you are getting a seagate...

But I still would go with seagate or western digital, I have had 0 problems with either of them, seagate does have the better warranty.

Not exactly. You're still getting Maxtor made HD, but Seagate warranty.

 

[pkme2]

I've used WD for quite a while now and have been very pleased with their performance and reliability.

 

[Nocturnal]

I've been noticing more and more compatibility issues with Maxtor drives and certain motherboard chipsets. With that said, Maxtor is supposedly being made into a consumer friendly lineup as opposed to being for the enthusiast oriented like the Raptor or the 7200.10 drives are. You definitely can't go wrong with any 7200.10 drive. For about $110.00 you can get a 320GB 7200.10.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: stevty2889

Originally posted by: Ken90630
Hey, All,

I'm open to other suggestions (except Maxtor).

You do realize..seagate owns maxtor now, so technicaly if you get a maxtor you are getting a seagate...

But I still would go with seagate or western digital, I have had 0 problems with either of them, seagate does have the better warranty.

I could be wrong but I'm fairly certain Seagate is not putting 7200.10 components into their Maxtor drives. So in a sense, you buy a Maxtor and you'll be getting a Maxtor, sorta.

 

[Ken90630]

Originally posted by: Baked
Any reason you're going for the small capacity HD? You can get the Seagate 7200.10 320GB for under $100. $85 @ newegg w/ coupon.

No particular reason other than my friend doesn't need more than about 40GB, if that. All he stores are maybe a few hundred digital pics from his digicam (JPEGs), a few dozen WordPerfect docs, and Windows XP Home and anti-virus & anti-spyware apps. No games, no movies, no music files ... he's a retired senior citizen and uses his machine mostly for Web surfing & e-mail. Heck, I'd get him a 40GB drive if any company still made one (non-OEM). An advantage to getting an 80GB or bigger one, however, even if he doesn't need the space, will be the increased aerial density of the platter(s) and (I hope) better read/write times. To him, that would prolly feel "snappier."

Having said all that, I didn't know that Seagate drive could be had for that price. :Q Where does one get the coupon you referred to?

Oh, and yeah, I did know that Seagate bought Maxtor, but I was thinkin' the Maxtors still being sold were prolly the remaining Maxtor inventory. That was just a guess, though -- I haven't kept up on the particulars after that sale went down.

 

[Baked]

Newegg always have hot deals on the seagate 320GB 7200.10 HD for about $90 shipped. Add on the seagate coupon that changes monthly for another $5 off and you got yourself the latest 320GB HD for $85 shipped. I don't know what the current seagate coupon code is, google for it.

 

[Ken90630]

Originally posted by: Baked
I don't know what the current seagate coupon code is, google for it.

Can do.

As an alternative, at even less money, whadda you guys think of this Seagate? On paper, it looks like it would do the job and then some. Are there any known issues/probs with the 7200.9 serial drives that would make me want to steer clear of them? If not, maybe I'll get this drive.

BTW, what's the difference between the 7200.9 series and the 7200.10? Anything significant?