FINALLY>>HD SETUP LAST QUESTIONS

[doomforce]

OK,im building a new pc that consists of a p4 2.6c 800 fsb,1024 mb ram@dual setting 400mhz,ASUS P4P800 deluxe mo/bo and im currently looking for a drive to match it.
I am left between Raptor and Maxtor SATA 120gb 8mb cache.Im going to use it primarily for programs(all sorts),games,video encoding(divx etc.).
now,those 2 drives are at the same price...and i really cant choose.
If i go for a raptor and a 120gb later,it seems like a good idea,but i wonder if im better waiting for newer and improved raptor-style disks.
If i go maxtor120 now and raptor-like later,ill have to do everything from scratch again...but ill gain soo much space.
If i go maxtor120 now and another maxtor 120 later,and raid them,i'm reading that performance wont improve that much and problems are going to be showing up more easily..and that sata raids are not stable at the moment.
I REALLY CANT CHOOSE>!!plz help.
what do u propose?
Go for a raptor now,to set up my computer and manage the low disk until i get a new storage drive?Will performance be significantly better?
OR go for a maxtor 120 now...and see what comes and what goes later?
moreover,is the raptor drive that much noisier than a maxtor one?
Plz advise on the situation and include info when im wrong on something(like sata raid's instability,for ex.).

[Midknyte]

I would go with the raptor. 36g isn't that small. do you have that much data already? you can always burn stuff to cdrs.

RAID0 ain't worth the trouble.

[doomforce]

(well...i dont want to show off or anything,but i have at least 200 cds of mp3's,movies,videos etc. and u see storage can be a pain.)

I can live with 36 gb..for a while.
U people think thats the way to go?
raptor now and see about later?

[rmanet]

1. the 1 year warranty on both drives stinks, but that's our lot in life I guess :mad:

2. Maxtor looks like it's ATA133 v. the Raptor ATA100??

3. where you reading there's potential problems using two Maxtors?

Raptor
Performance Specifications
Average Read Seek 8.9 ms (average)
Track to Track Seek 2.0 ms (average)
Full Stroke Seek (Read) 21 ms (average)
Average Latency 4.2 ms
Rotational Speed 7200 RPM
Transfer Rate (Buffer to Host) 100 MB/s (Mode 5 Ultra ATA)
66.6 MB/s (Mode 4 Ultra ATA)
33.3 MB/s (Mode 2 Ultra ATA)
16.6 MB/s (Mode 4 PIO)
16.6 MB/s (Mode 2 multi-word DMA)
Buffer Size 8 MB

Maxtor
120GB Capacity
Ideal for high-end gaming and digital video
7200 RPM ATA/IDE hard drive
Ultra fast 8MB cache buffer - up to 20% faster performance
Ultra ATA/133 interface - up to 33% faster data transfer rates
Ultra quiet operation with fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) motor
<9ms average seek time

[BipolarBill]

Windows belongs on the fastest drive you can get - the Raptor. You can add a larger drive later for apps and data.

[doomforce]

i went with the maxtor 120gb sata...will add a new generation raptor when they come on sale(more optimized for desktop etc,less noisy).
someone mentioned i could just copy the partition with my os and programs to theraptor when i get it and everything will be fine..really,can it be done?

[rmanet]

yes - use the maxblast disk that came with your Maxtor drive - very easy :t

[Midknyte]

where did you get the idea that the raptop only had a 1 year warranty?

http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/current/retailkits/wd360gdrtl.asp

[rmanet]

Originally posted by Midknyte
where did you get the idea that the raptop only had a 1 year warranty?

http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/current/retailkits/wd360gdrtl.asp

saw the same post - was gonna post that a 5 year beat the 3 year warranty I got when buying a Maxtor as a replacement for a Compaq last week (some still around on shelves)

- but then I wasn't sure he was buying that monster of a drive - very nice :D

since he was comparing maxtor v. WD thought he was looking at the 7200 RPM drives - that's why I posted specs to make sure :t