Raptor - Worth it?

PeterT · 10-03-2007, 04:26 PM

I'm building a new rig and am considering a Raptor 150 for the boot drive. Size is not an issue as it will only be used for the OS and programs and I do not want to build a raid 0. So my only other option would be one of the WD or Seagate 7200 RPM, 16MB cache drives.

Here's where I need the opinions. Is the Raptor NOTICEABLY faster than the fastest 7200 RPM drives? Would I really 'feel' the difference? If so, I don't mind paying the premium.
TIA

SpeedDMN · 10-03-2007, 04:33 PM

I definately see the difference with my raptors though they are in RAID0. Things like extracting compressed files are noticibly faster then say if I do it on one of my 7200RPM Seagates. I am not sure how much of that is contributed to the RAID function or the faster spindle speed though. Also if HD noise bothers you that is something to consider. Raptors are pretty loud. Ironically they sound a bit like the old 95 era drives that held 4g maybe.

fvbounty · 10-03-2007, 04:37 PM

I have a raptor 74 gig and it seems quieter than my Seagate 7200 rpm especially when seeking. I just ordered a 150 gig for my new rig, you'll differently notice the difference...

Newegg has them for $184 with a $15 rebate...and free shipping

PeterT · 10-03-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

I definately see the difference with my raptors though they are in RAID0. Things like extracting compressed files are noticibly faster then say if I do it on one of my 7200RPM Seagates. I am not sure how much of that is contributed to the RAID function or the faster spindle speed though. Also if HD noise bothers you that is something to consider. Raptors are pretty loud. Ironically they sound a bit like the old 95 era drives that held 4g maybe.

Thanks SpeedDMN. I'm not that concerned about the noise, unless it's excessive, but I don't think that's the case. Is it?

Anyone running a single Raptor as a boot drive, that can compare it to a fast 7200 RPM 16MB cache drive? I've read the reviews and stats, but would like some real world experience and opinions.

PeterT · 10-03-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fvbounty

I have a raptor 74 gig and it seems quieter than my Seagate 7200 rpm especially when seeking. I just ordered a 150 gig for my new rig, you'll differently notice the difference...

Newegg has them for $184 with a $15 rebate...and free shipping

Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking at. Thanks FV!

fvbounty · 10-03-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking at. Thanks FV!

My Raptor is the older version just like my Seagate either one has the 16mb cache, maybe someone else can help but I know it was a big difference in loading games and installing any software. They where lots of reviews on the raptor and when loading games (that was one of the main reasons I have one) running a single raptor was has fast has running two in a raid 0...

SpeedDMN · 10-03-2007, 05:10 PM

My raptors are the 8mb cache versions as well. perhaps it's the pair of them that is so noisy, but when they run they are definately louder then when my single seagates run. Running HD tach, I get about twice the performance with my array then one seagate if not a little more. The extra cache versions (16mb) actually showed little real time improvement from what I have read. You should throw another one in there fvbounty and watch it fly

fvbounty · 10-03-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

My raptors are the 8mb cache versions as well. perhaps it's the pair of them that is so noisy, but when they run they are definately louder then when my single seagates run. Running HD tach, I get about twice the performance with my array then one seagate if not a little more. The extra cache versions (16mb) actually showed little real time improvement from what I have read. You should throw another one in there fvbounty and watch it fly

Might just have to do that!!!!

**k0NG0** · 10-03-2007, 05:54 PM

Off topic: I wonder how fast 4 high-speed SSD drives in RAID0 would be...

fvbounty · 10-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

Off topic: I wonder how fast 4 high-speed SSD drives in RAID0 would be...

Very fast and about $3000...lol

SpeedDMN · 10-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

Off topic: I wonder how fast 4 high-speed SSD drives in RAID0 would be...

I assume you mean solid state? I don't know I guess it would depend on each one's individual data rate. Honestly I don't know much about them besides they are supposed to have much faster seek times and much less latency. I do know you would need a considerable bank account for that experiment.

See how many gophers would know that? Not many mind you! Smarter then me indeed!

ctal · 10-03-2007, 06:26 PM

Re noise levels: A couple of years ago I installed a 74gB Raptor in my wife's Dell 8100. The noise levels during seeks were so absurdly loud that I removed it the same day. I subsequently installed that same physical drive in a Coolermaster aluminum case, where the noise levels, while noticeable, were completely acceptable. So I think the key to keeping the noise levels of the Raptors in check is to not mount them in a case that has a flimsy, resonant mounting structure.

Re speed: Although I have not done any controlled evaluations of speed differences, my sense based on experience with both the 37gB and 74gB versions is that the Raptors will provide a noticeably faster feel in system drive applications, which is well worth it if you are not particularly cost constrained, but the difference is not day and night.

-- Al

PeterT · 10-03-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Re noise levels: A couple of years ago I installed a 74gB Raptor in my wife's Dell 8100. The noise levels during seeks were so absurdly loud that I removed it the same day. I subsequently installed that same physical drive in a Coolermaster aluminum case, where the noise levels, while noticeable, were completely acceptable. So I think the key to keeping the noise levels of the Raptors in check is to not mount them in a case that has a flimsy, resonant mounting structure.

Re speed: Although I have not done any controlled evaluations of speed differences, my sense based on experience with both the 37gB and 74gB versions is that the Raptors will provide a noticeably faster feel in system drive applications, which is well worth it if you are not particularly cost constrained, but the difference is not day and night.

-- Al

Thanks. That's good info. I'm using an Antec Solo, so noise should not be an issue.

**k0NG0** · 10-03-2007, 06:47 PM

Yeah, solid state. And I'm thinking of small drives. 10GB or so. Since it's RAID0 you get the combined size for storage. You'd be able to fit it inside a single 5.25" slot. But yeah, it'd be hella expensive.

SpeedDMN: who do you think invented HDDs? Gophers at IBM, that's who!

Apologies for the digression, Peter.

PeterT · 10-03-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

Yeah, solid state. And I'm thinking of small drives. 10GB or so. Since it's RAID0 you get the combined size for storage. You'd be able to fit it inside a single 5.25" slot. But yeah, it'd be hella expensive.

SpeedDMN: who do you think invented HDDs? Gophers at IBM, that's who!

Apologies for the digression, Peter.

LOL! U R Forgiven.

10-03-2007, 04:26 PM	#1
PeterT C/TUSL2C/P4P800D/P5B-D Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sunny Florida, USA Posts: 1,895	Raptor - Worth it? I'm building a new rig and am considering a Raptor 150 for the boot drive. Size is not an issue as it will only be used for the OS and programs and I do not want to build a raid 0. So my only other option would be one of the WD or Seagate 7200 RPM, 16MB cache drives. Here's where I need the opinions. Is the Raptor NOTICEABLY faster than the fastest 7200 RPM drives? Would I really 'feel' the difference? If so, I don't mind paying the premium. TIA __________________ Proud Member: Team-CUSL2 - 'The Old School Crew' Current: P5B-D, E6600 @ 3.0, 4x1GB Crucial Ballistix PC8500, EVGA 8800GTS 512MB Old: P4P800-D, P4 2.4C @ 3.0, 4x512MB Mushkin PC3200, ATI AIW X800XT 256MB Older: TUSL2C, P3-S 1.4, 2x256MB Corsair XMS150, ATI 9800PRO 128MB, TB Santa Cruz Oldest: CUSL2, P3 1.0, 1x256MB & 2x128MB Corsair PC133, Asus V7700D 32MB, SB Live!
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10-03-2007, 04:33 PM	#2
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Re: Raptor - Worth it? I definately see the difference with my raptors though they are in RAID0. Things like extracting compressed files are noticibly faster then say if I do it on one of my 7200RPM Seagates. I am not sure how much of that is contributed to the RAID function or the faster spindle speed though. Also if HD noise bothers you that is something to consider. Raptors are pretty loud. Ironically they sound a bit like the old 95 era drives that held 4g maybe. __________________
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10-03-2007, 04:37 PM	#3
fvbounty Eat Wild Pacific Salmon Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alameda Ca Posts: 5,124	Re: Raptor - Worth it? I have a raptor 74 gig and it seems quieter than my Seagate 7200 rpm especially when seeking. I just ordered a 150 gig for my new rig, you'll differently notice the difference... Newegg has them for $184 with a $15 rebate...and free shipping __________________ New Gaming rig - Asus P5E3 Deluxe Wi-Fi - Intel QX9650 - CORSAIR TWIN3X2048-1600C7DHXIN 2GB PC3-12800 - 150 gig Raptor - 320 gig WD 3200YS - Corsair HX 620 watt PS - EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB - AMD FX 55 - XP-90C & SilentCat 9 - Asus A8N-SLI with Swiftech MCX159 - 2X1024 Corsair 3500LLPro 2-3-2-6 1T - 2X BFG 6800GT OC Zalman VF700-CU - 1 WD 74 Gig Raptor boot - 1 Seagate 7200 sata data - Nec 3500A - Plextor 716AL Slot Loader - Enermax EG 701 AX 600 watt PS - Silverstone Temjin TJ03B case with side window - G7 lazer mouse - Cannon Pixma I8500 printer - Windows XP Pro SP2 Slipstreamed - Dell 2405FPW lcd
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10-03-2007, 05:10 PM	#7
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Re: Raptor - Worth it? My raptors are the 8mb cache versions as well. perhaps it's the pair of them that is so noisy, but when they run they are definately louder then when my single seagates run. Running HD tach, I get about twice the performance with my array then one seagate if not a little more. The extra cache versions (16mb) actually showed little real time improvement from what I have read. You should throw another one in there fvbounty and watch it fly __________________
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10-03-2007, 05:54 PM	#9
k0NG0 The other tainted meat... Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,578	Re: Raptor - Worth it? Off topic: I wonder how fast 4 high-speed SSD drives in RAID0 would be... __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
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10-03-2007, 06:26 PM	#12
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,177	Re: Raptor - Worth it? Re noise levels: A couple of years ago I installed a 74gB Raptor in my wife's Dell 8100. The noise levels during seeks were so absurdly loud that I removed it the same day. I subsequently installed that same physical drive in a Coolermaster aluminum case, where the noise levels, while noticeable, were completely acceptable. So I think the key to keeping the noise levels of the Raptors in check is to not mount them in a case that has a flimsy, resonant mounting structure. Re speed: Although I have not done any controlled evaluations of speed differences, my sense based on experience with both the 37gB and 74gB versions is that the Raptors will provide a noticeably faster feel in system drive applications, which is well worth it if you are not particularly cost constrained, but the difference is not day and night. -- Al
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10-03-2007, 06:47 PM	#14
k0NG0 The other tainted meat... Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,578	Re: Raptor - Worth it? Yeah, solid state. And I'm thinking of small drives. 10GB or so. Since it's RAID0 you get the combined size for storage. You'd be able to fit it inside a single 5.25" slot. But yeah, it'd be hella expensive. SpeedDMN: who do you think invented HDDs? Gophers at IBM, that's who! Apologies for the digression, Peter. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
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