Hard Drive recommendation please

[jetelectro]

I am shopping for a 7200rpm drive about 100GB. A friend who is a tech at my office will set it up for me. He recommends Western Digital. Would I notice the difference between 8MB buffer vs 2MB? I am using a BX board with Highpoint ATA-66 controllers. So buying ATA-100 is fine. Should I look at other brands? Reliability is first priority and speed is second. Thanks for any assistance.

 

[compudog]

Western Digital, Maxtor and Seagate are all good quality drives. Any of the newer drives should function at the full ATA-66 of your Highpoint controller so I don't think that speed is even a consideration. The 8MB buffer will certainly help.

 

[saber800]

Yup. Maxtor, Seagate, or Western Digital are your best bet. I like Seagte because they are so quiet but Western Digital drive have better performance. Maxtor is between the two. Just do a search in for forums for their brand name you you will get lots of info.

Stay away from IBM and Fujutisu!! Those 2 have reliability problems. If you don't want any headaches, stay away, far away from them.

 

[jetelectro]

Thanks very much. Western Digital it is. I will hunt for an 8MB buffer version. The local Future Shop in Toronto seems to be selling only older 2MB models.

Cheers.

 

[thorin]

Check this thread

Thorin

 

[roncarter]

get the western digital 8mb.. its awesome

 

[HendrixFan]

The 8MB WD drives are usually only slightly more expensive than the 2MB ones. You will get a small speed boost, but the biggest advantage is getting a 3 yr warranty for the 8MB version, as opposed to 1 yr for the 2MB version.

 

[liquidtech]

since you seem to be only running one drive speed shouldnt be a consideration, you should be fine with the ATA-100. WDs are always very dependable. Ive heard of some people that notice no difference between 2mb and 8mb buffer. But more is always better lol.

 

[QTPie]

Nowadays, most of them perform ALMOST the same in terms of speed and reliability. I'd go with the cheapest and longest warranty one. Of course, drive with 8MB buffer is just a little bit faster.

 

[jetelectro]

Thanks, thanks & thanks.

I will be keeping my existing IBM DPTA-372050 as well.

Which drive should get the O/S?

Any recommendations for the best place in Toronto to buy the new drive? Future Shop seems very expensive and only has older WD models.