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Upgrading HDD Storage

Post Date: 2012-02-27
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NuWatts View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		  Quote NuWatts Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Upgrading HDD Storage
    Posted: 27 Feb 2012 at 10:55pm
Greetings!

It's been awhile since I purchased my first Digital Storm desktop back in '09, and now I'm finally starting to consider making some upgrades.  Although almost three years have passed, my computer still runs so well that increasing performance isn't the motivation for this upgrade - I just want more HDD storage for extra media!  Now there's a testimony to the quality of DS PCs!

I'd like to get a new HDD with at least 2TB and use it primarily for storing/streaming HD video media.  However, I've realized that with HDD technology improving in the time since I purchased my computer, any new HDD I get will likely use the newer SATA revision 3.0 (6.0Gb/s).  To be honest, I'm a little confused as to what exactly this means when it comes to HDD performance.

For example, take the following two HDDs (the first came with my DS PC, the second is currently sold in the DS store):
  • 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black (7200 RPM, 32MB Cache, SATA 3.0Gb/s) [WD1001FALS]
  • 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black (7200 RPM, 64MP Cache, SATA 6.0Gb/s) [WD2002FAEX]

Exactly what differences in performance can I expect between these hard drives, and which factors contribute to those differences?  Assuming I owned one of each, which would be best to use for my OS?  For installing and running programs?  For media storage/streaming?

Thanks in advance for your help!
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Martys View Drop Down
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Posts: 68 		  Quote Martys Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Feb 2012 at 4:24am
NuWatts,

Current HDDs can't utilize the full bandwidth of SATA II, so the choice of SATA II or III for the interface really makes no difference in performance. Likewise the difference in cache size isn't of much consequence. The 2TB drive has somewhat higher data storage density so it will be a little quicker for that reason, not because of the interface. Be aware the 2TB Caviar Black drives tend to be a little noisy.

Also prices of HDDs are still elevated due to the shortages from the flooding in Thailand.

If you're going to buy two drives another way to go is to combine a 120/128GB SSD with the 2TB data drive. The SSD used for the system and programs makes a big performance difference. The cost difference is fairly small since 120/128 GB SSDs can be found for considerably less than $200 these days and a 1TB WD HDD will cost at least $150.

Hope this helps.

        Marty
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