Hard Drive questions / opinions

mindx2 · 10-20-2008, 07:58 PM

I'm looking into getting new and larger hard drives for my gaming rig (see specs below). My computer is used mostly for gaming / pics / music. My Raptors just recently died but I was already looking to get bigger drives. I want to go 500 GB. Since I've had HD failures in the past I'm thinking that I want to go with RAID 1. I don't want to spend the money on VelociRaptors or for 150GB Raptors.

1. Will going with 2 x 500GB drives in RAID 1 adversely impact my access speed?

2. Anyone know the differences between these drives?:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Seagate SV35.3 ST3500320SV 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM

Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5000ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

3. All the Caviar drives have different model numbers like SE16, Green, RE2, RE3, etc. What does all this mean?

Again, I'm looking for reliability, space, value (money), and good seek times for gaming. Which one fits the bill according to the wisdom of ABXZone

or would you recommend a different drive/ company?

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**ctal** · 10-20-2008, 09:17 PM

I believe that the 640gB drive will for most purposes be faster than the 500gB drives, because it uses two 320gB platters instead of two 250gB platters, and therefore has greater data density (meaning more bits/second passing under the heads). In particular, sustained transfer rates, which are called into play especially when dealing with large files, will be MUCH faster with the 640 than the others. The 640 will have less of an advantage in seek times, but I suspect it would be at least as good as the others if not better, given the greater data density and the fact that it is newer technology.

As you may have seen, the Seagate has twice the cache of the others; perhaps someone else can comment on how much of a benefit that may be, if any, in gaming.

WD's site defines the terms you are asking about. I believe the RE's are enterprise drives. I recall some time ago seeing a statement on their website saying that they don't recommend them for desktop use, although I don't recall why and I know that some people do use them in desktop systems.

The "green" designation, as indicated in the specs on the 640, means that the drive consumes less current during spinup (i.e., startup), allowing lower peak current loads.

I have no particular knowledge as to how RAID 1 would impact performance.

Regards,
-- Al

wonderwrench · 10-20-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

1. Will going with 2 x 500GB drives in RAID 1 adversely impact my access speed?

Not a noticeable impact on performance. IMO there is not much benefit from raid 1. It can't be used to turn back time if you have a problem because both drives will have the same data. I would use a good backup program and image the main drive to the backup drive.

Quote:

3. All the Caviar drives have different model numbers like SE16, Green, RE2, RE3, etc. What does all this mean?

SE16 = special addition, 16 megs of cache. Green = power saving features at the cost of some performance. RE2/RE3 = server class drives.

mindx2 · 10-20-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwrench

Not a noticeable impact on performance. IMO there is not much benefit from raid 1. It can't be used to turn back time if you have a problem because both drives will have the same data. I would use a good backup program and image the main drive to the backup drive.

I guess my question is I'm thinking of RAID 1 so if one drive fails I have all my data on the other one and don't have to reload everything all over again. I want insurance over drive failure, I have an external Maxtor 500GB USB for bulk data.

**ctal** · 10-20-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindx2

I guess my question is I'm thinking of RAID 1 so if one drive fails I have all my data on the other one and don't have to reload everything all over again. I want insurance over drive failure, I have an external Maxtor 500GB USB for bulk data.

I agree with Wonderwrench. RAID 1 just protects against drive failure, while creating an image of a single drive and storing the image files on another drive (or even better on two other drives, one internal and one external), protects against drive failure just as well, but also protects against anything that might mess up your software.

Regards,
-- Al

wonderwrench · 10-20-2008, 09:58 PM

BTW my choice would be the WD Black series though hard to find or the Samsung Spinpoint F1 series. Both have 32 megs cache. I have yet to see a Seagate drive perform well in real life. I replaced a 3 year old WD 160gig SE16 drive with a Seagate 320 gig 7200.10 and hit my head on the windshield. The 3 year old WD smoked the Seagate in every way. And getting them to warranty a drive is a real B!tch. I have owned mostly WD and had two go south but WD took care of me without problems.

BTW how old ar your raptors? waranty perhaps?

mindx2 · 10-20-2008, 10:08 PM

I believe my raptors are at least 4-5 years (closer to or over 5 years) so I don't think they can be returned. I also want to get larger drives than the 36GB the raptors are. Also not sure the hassle trying to warranty these would be worth it.

wonderwrench · 10-21-2008, 12:16 AM

If they are under warranty why not get them replaced. If the date on the drives is less than 5 years they should be still covered. If you get them warrantied I'd take one off your hands.

10-20-2008, 07:58 PM	#1
mindx2 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 462	Hard Drive questions / opinions I'm looking into getting new and larger hard drives for my gaming rig (see specs below). My computer is used mostly for gaming / pics / music. My Raptors just recently died but I was already looking to get bigger drives. I want to go 500 GB. Since I've had HD failures in the past I'm thinking that I want to go with RAID 1. I don't want to spend the money on VelociRaptors or for 150GB Raptors. 1. Will going with 2 x 500GB drives in RAID 1 adversely impact my access speed? 2. Anyone know the differences between these drives?: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Seagate SV35.3 ST3500320SV 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5000ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 3. All the Caviar drives have different model numbers like SE16, Green, RE2, RE3, etc. What does all this mean? Again, I'm looking for reliability, space, value (money), and good seek times for gaming. Which one fits the bill according to the wisdom of ABXZone or would you recommend a different drive/ company? __________________ ASUS P5Q-Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.8 GHz - Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm / 4GB OCZ Platinum (4 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel / ASUS Radeon 5770 PCI-e / Western Digital 250GB SATA / 2 Western Digital Green 500GB SATA / Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty / Memorex DVD-RW Duel Layer / Samsung CDRW-DVD / Chenming Custom Case from Voyeurmods / OCZ GameXStream 700W / ViewSonic Optiquest Q20wb LCD / Windows 7 Home Premium
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10-20-2008, 09:17 PM	#2
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,996	Re: Hard Drive questions / opinions I believe that the 640gB drive will for most purposes be faster than the 500gB drives, because it uses two 320gB platters instead of two 250gB platters, and therefore has greater data density (meaning more bits/second passing under the heads). In particular, sustained transfer rates, which are called into play especially when dealing with large files, will be MUCH faster with the 640 than the others. The 640 will have less of an advantage in seek times, but I suspect it would be at least as good as the others if not better, given the greater data density and the fact that it is newer technology. As you may have seen, the Seagate has twice the cache of the others; perhaps someone else can comment on how much of a benefit that may be, if any, in gaming. WD's site defines the terms you are asking about. I believe the RE's are enterprise drives. I recall some time ago seeing a statement on their website saying that they don't recommend them for desktop use, although I don't recall why and I know that some people do use them in desktop systems. The "green" designation, as indicated in the specs on the 640, means that the drive consumes less current during spinup (i.e., startup), allowing lower peak current loads. I have no particular knowledge as to how RAID 1 would impact performance. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
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10-20-2008, 09:58 PM	#6
wonderwrench ABXpert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mpls MN Posts: 1,823	Re: Hard Drive questions / opinions BTW my choice would be the WD Black series though hard to find or the Samsung Spinpoint F1 series. Both have 32 megs cache. I have yet to see a Seagate drive perform well in real life. I replaced a 3 year old WD 160gig SE16 drive with a Seagate 320 gig 7200.10 and hit my head on the windshield. The 3 year old WD smoked the Seagate in every way. And getting them to warranty a drive is a real B!tch. I have owned mostly WD and had two go south but WD took care of me without problems. BTW how old ar your raptors? waranty perhaps? __________________ Main BoxC2Q Q6600 @ 3 GhzMSI P35 Neo2-FR bios 1.104 x 2 gig Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 ramEvga 8800GT SSC Seagate 7200.10 320 gig, Samsung HD321KA 320 gig LiteOn sohw-1693sPlextor PX 716aTeac FloppyOCZ 700GXSSLI PSU Rosewill R6AR6-BK case* Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit HTPC* Athlon II 240Asus M4A875M2x2 gig Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800WD Blue 320 gigNEC 3540 DVD* Corsair CMPSU-400CX*Win 7 pro 64 bit Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
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10-20-2008, 10:08 PM	#7
mindx2 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 462	Re: Hard Drive questions / opinions I believe my raptors are at least 4-5 years (closer to or over 5 years) so I don't think they can be returned. I also want to get larger drives than the 36GB the raptors are. Also not sure the hassle trying to warranty these would be worth it. __________________ ASUS P5Q-Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.8 GHz - Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm / 4GB OCZ Platinum (4 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel / ASUS Radeon 5770 PCI-e / Western Digital 250GB SATA / 2 Western Digital Green 500GB SATA / Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty / Memorex DVD-RW Duel Layer / Samsung CDRW-DVD / Chenming Custom Case from Voyeurmods / OCZ GameXStream 700W / ViewSonic Optiquest Q20wb LCD / Windows 7 Home Premium
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10-21-2008, 12:16 AM	#8
wonderwrench ABXpert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mpls MN Posts: 1,823	Re: Hard Drive questions / opinions If they are under warranty why not get them replaced. If the date on the drives is less than 5 years they should be still covered. If you get them warrantied I'd take one off your hands. __________________ Main BoxC2Q Q6600 @ 3 GhzMSI P35 Neo2-FR bios 1.104 x 2 gig Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 ramEvga 8800GT SSC Seagate 7200.10 320 gig, Samsung HD321KA 320 gig LiteOn sohw-1693sPlextor PX 716aTeac FloppyOCZ 700GXSSLI PSU Rosewill R6AR6-BK case* Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit HTPC* Athlon II 240Asus M4A875M2x2 gig Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800WD Blue 320 gigNEC 3540 DVD* Corsair CMPSU-400CX*Win 7 pro 64 bit Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
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