Currently, I have a 74 GB Raptor and a Samsung 160 GB Hard Drive. I need to replace the 160 GB HD because i'm running out of space. I'm planning to get a 320 ~ 400 GB hard drive and I'm looking for recommendations from you.
There is a couple of considerations: First, my priority is not a silent drive. My priority is performance. Of course, I don't want a really loud drive, but a reasonably quiet one. My Hard Drives sit on top of sorbothane strips to reduce vibration.
Second, I have a D875PBZ Intel Motherboard, with SATA I support. Since I want a fast drive, should I get a SATA II PCI Card and a SATA II Hard Drive, or will SATA I be enough for semi-heavy use? I work with large files, copying, moving, and processing them. Will I notice the benefits of a SATA II Drive?
I want to spend around $90 - $130.
Thanks in Advance
Planning to get a new Hard Drive, but a few questions first.
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As for any difference between SATA I and II, you will to my knowledge not have any advantage as the higher bandwidth of SATA II is way above what a modern harddrive can deliver.
For quiet drive recomendations, head over to the recomended section http://www.silentpcreview.com/article29-page2.html. Check storagereview.com if you're interrested in performance ratings.
Personally I have a 300 GB Maxtor Diamonmax 10 which is fairly quiet (only idlenoise is slightly too loud but not a problem) and performance is much better than the older Samsung P80 anyway.
For quiet drive recomendations, head over to the recomended section http://www.silentpcreview.com/article29-page2.html. Check storagereview.com if you're interrested in performance ratings.
Personally I have a 300 GB Maxtor Diamonmax 10 which is fairly quiet (only idlenoise is slightly too loud but not a problem) and performance is much better than the older Samsung P80 anyway.