harddrive dma 33

[soulkillah]

Maxtor - Diamond Max Plus 20G 20G (UATA100, 7200 rpm)

Supports Ultra Mode 4 for up to 66 MB/sec data transfers
2 MB SDRAM Cache Buffer
7,200 RPM Spin Speed
< 9.0 ms average seek time

thats the harddrive i got.
i have 2 1/2 year old mobo. it only has upto ultra dma 33

will it be the exact same access time and stuff like that for me if i got a 5400rpm?

[jaida]

it won't be a fast as a drive due to the fact that it only runs at 5400rpm. There is quite a difference in hd performance between 5400 and 7200 rpm.

The drives will run fine at udma 33. They will just transfer data at 33mb/s instead of 66.

[otheos]

They will just transfer data at 33mb/s instead of 66

Jaida meant that instead of an allowed max of 66MB/s that no current drive is anywhere near, you'll be limited to 33MB/s MAX, that the Maxtor will easily saturate.

Now, since what matters most on a HD is the access time (ok ok and the STR but access gives the feel), go for the 7200rpm drive. Even with its STR limited to 28MB/s (real limit of ATA33) and won't reach it's max at about 38MB/s (see? nowhere near 66MB/s) the feel of the lower access time will be well worth it. Go for it!