Need fast reply

[LittleKing]

I have found the IBM deskstar 34gxp 20.5 GB drive for $129 (posted by NavyDude) and Deskstar 75gxp 20.5 GB for $155. both in stock.

Since they seem to usually be out of stock, I want to buy one ASAP. My question is what drive do you guys think I should buy? I have the abit be-6, so I have a Ultra-66 controller, not a Ultra-100. Would it be worth it to pay the extra $25 for ultra-100?

Hey, thanks for the advice.
LK

[SpookyEddy]

Not much help Iam afraid. However to get the ball rolling.

However in my experience the difference between UDMA33 & UDMA66 is fairly small.

Therefore I am under the impression that the advantage between UDMA66 & UDMA100 is even less.

My advice would be that if you want a good drive go for the 66 version. However if you have a pot of cash laying about then go for the fancy version.

[jak]

i wouldnt pay the extra cause then u have to buy a controller card right. i think udma/66 is fast enough for me.

[LittleKing]

Those points are well taken, but only $25 for .5 ms faster seek time and better performance whenever I do upgrade to ultra-100.

I'll probably go with the Ultra-100 drive, but does anybody else have advice. I open to opinions.

LK

[800XL]

I checked the specs on both drives, and they look very similar, but the 75 does have some advantages other than just ata100 and .5ms better access time. The 34 takes 3 platters and 6 heads to get 20gig and the 75 uses just 2 platters and 3 heads. Translation? Higher data density on the platters, which usually also translates into better sustained transfer rates for a drive running at the same RPM. Granted this is not a given with all drives(other factors can also affect transfer rates), but the data IBM has on their site supports it in this case:

75GXP: Media transfer rate (max Mbits/sec): 444
34GXP: Media transfer rate (max Mbits/sec): 284

The 75 also draws a little less power. You never know, over the tiem you own it, that could pay that extra $25. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Personally, I'd prolly go for the 75, but I've had 3 IBM drives die on me in the last few months so I'd likely lean toward another brand too.

[alpha]

Y'know, if you really want a good, cool running, reliable drive, a Western Digital would be a good choice.

[bkehoe]

Been a while since I saw Western Digital for sale anywhere online. Last time I had one (1997), it was the slowest drive I ever had. Sure it was 5400RPM, but the heads kept resetting or something, and was the same with replacements.

I have had Maxtor drives since I got rid of the Western Digital. Also have a Quantum.
The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 6800s I have are very good, and are fast. The 15GB and 27.3GB versions I have are great, and are a very popular disk. I beleive the IBMs are almost the same.

If anyone wants to see a 13 year old working Maxtor, come along for a visit one day. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Brendan

[NDC]

I have used many hard disks, Western digital seems to be the fastest I have used in the IDE DMA66 7,200RPM class. nothing came close to it. I no longer use IDE hard drives as a primary hard disk, I use SCSI interface Hard drives. the drive I am using now is a Seagate Cheetah Ultra 160 18.2GB at 10,000 RPM and it just blazes through graphic programs. If you have the money to spare, get SCSI. It's FAST, and it doesn't utilize your CPU as much because it uses a SCSI controller.IDE utilizes your CPU.

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 07-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 07-03-2000).]