steveakaflash
07-20-1999, 10:24 PM
I have Two 5400 quantum fireball 4.3's now, and am thinking of a 7200 drive, as i want better performance, and a quieter drive. Would I notice a big difference if I went to the IBM 10 gig 7200 drive, or the Western digital 9 gig? I've heard my fireball is quite the peppy 5400 drive, and am not sure if i would "feel" the difference with a 7200 drive. Also, how would the 2mb buffer of the WD come in handy, and what does it do that makes the IBM 512k buffer too small?Is the 2mb buffer necessary? Ultra 66 isnt an issue now, as ill be running the new drive at 33 till i get a new mobo.
Just want to know if its worth it
Bleeding Edge
07-21-1999, 12:10 AM
The old Fireballs were (are) great drives. I've tried Quantums (5400rpm), Seagates (IDE 7200rpm and 10,000rpm SCSI U2 Lvds), a 5400rpm Maxtor and a recently purchased 7200rpm 9.1G IBM with a 2MB buffer -that I haven't installed yet.
Things just sorta seem faster with the 7200 Seagate. And the Maxtor holds its own. The Seagate handles overclocked bus speeds well but the Maxtor doesn't. You wont feel the difference...like I say, it only seems to be a bit faster. The "feeling" is at best, vaporous.
Where you really notice the difference is moving to SCSI U2s. Now there's a fast drive...
The 2MB buffer difference of the WD and IBM isn't a issue because IBM offers a 2MB version in at least four sizes. 9.1, 13.5, 18 and 22G drives. They may have added more. And if you are going to buy one, might as well get the 2MB version.
I don't think there is a significant price difference either. Well, this may be relative to what amount 'significant' is -but really, there isn't.
Since you are already considering this purchase, you'll probably make it soon. The longer it's on you mind, the more pressed you'll be to make a decision. You'll find out for yourself if it was worth it or not.
The best advice I can give, and you may not like it or find it absolutely useless http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif, is to buy the thing or forget about it as soon as possible, as not to clutter your mind.