SPCR

Thinking about this for boot/data drive in htpc, I see 2 models, will the newer 6gb/s drive work fine on the older 3gb/s controller?

noise similar on both?


WDBAAZ0020HNC-NRSN
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136830

or
WD2002FAEX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136792

Both will work on a SATA 3 Gbit/s controller.

I'm curious, why not a small SSD and a cheaper 5400RPM HDD?

pc is only for playing movies, the faster ssd + 2tb storage would also be $300+. plus, may not fit in my Silverstone GD05 case. need 4gb at least at this point, so 2 x 2gb.

most likely will go with the new 6gb/s one, hope it's not too loud.

Why not get the 5400rpm version?

On second thought, if an 40gb SSD would be large enough for Win7 x86, and i could somehow fit in case, would do that and add a basic 2tb Samsung 5400 drive. wonder if possible in GD05. really not much more dough that way.

2 x 2tb 3.5" + SSD in GD05?

The SPCR review of the Silverstone Grandia GD05 says Drive Bay (internal): 3.5" x 2, 2.5" x 1 or 3.5" x 1, 2.5" x 2 so it should work. Besides, you can put the SSD anywhere really, some use velcro to stick it to the inside of the chassis, I use zip ties.

I think Vicotnik already posted a good response, seems everything should fit fine. But just in case, there is also the option of 1.8 drives, which are very small ssds, like Intel X18m or the upcoming Intel 320 1.8 version.

And my Windows 7 64bit install on is way lower than 40GB, around 22gb with sc2 and msoffice, i disabled hybernation and system restore that should give you a lot back, specially planning on a small ssd.

Wonder if the SSD would run ok on the old G31 motherboard? I will see if I can fit an SSD in the case. Thanks again!

there is a spot for a 2.5" drive on top of the front 3.5" space, and a choice of a 3.5 or 2.5 drive sitting in the back.

Only the 3.5" drives have rubber grommets.

Abula wrote:My Windows 7 64bit install on is way lower than 40GB, around 22gb with sc2 and msoffice, i disabled hybernation and system restore that should give you a lot back, specially planning on a small ssd.

The minimum requirement for Windows 7 is 16GB.

64-bit requires 20GB.

An SSD does seem the way to go for boot drive. turns out it's a GD04, but still lists support for 2.5" SSD drive, for the life of me I can not figure out where it would go after looking at tons of reviews and pictures, maybe i'll take the top off and peek. thanks again, huge help.

you can see the pics here. see the screw holes for 2.5" drives directly over where you mount the 3.5s? you slot it in between the metal and the drive in the forward one, and instead of the rear 3.5

i took the top off to see it, and yes, just enough space to mount it above the 3.5" drive, nice! 40gb Intel 320 makes sense in that spot.

will enable AHCI in the BIOS of the old G31 board and hopefully will work fine. will connect the data drives after OS is installed, Win7 x86 for HTPC..

Which 5400 2tb drive to get? have used Samsung F4 seems to be fine.