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2719
December 6th, 2003 13:00
Speed vs Reliability - Hard Drives
I have a Dimension 8100, P4 1.3 GHz with 640MB RDRAM running XP Pro and only a 20-GB hard drive (bursting at the seams!).
I'm in a dilemma about which replacement hard drive to buy!!
It's between the:-
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 120-BG, 7200 ATA-133 with 8MB cache (6Y120P0). and the
Western Digital Caviar WD120JB Special Edition 120-GB, 7200 ATA-100 with 8MB cache.
I know the specs sound very similar but on paper the WD drive would be slower (ATA-100 as opposed to ATA-133) than the Maxtor drive. I realise that the speed would be dictated largely by the capability of my system to process the data, which on my machine is limited to 100MHz. This aside I have also read that the use of correctly specified ribbon cables (80 strand, 40 pin) and certain system configuration settings would improve the performance?
My hesitance in buying the Maxtor is based on a number of messages I'v read in the "hard drive" community forum (by what appears to be very experienced users) which seems to indicate that the Maxtor doesn't have the reliability of the WD drives.
As my machine is really starting to slow down the "speed" aspect of the Maxtor appeals to me, but if that comes with a lack of reliability then it's not worth having.
I intend to use the new hard drive as the master and use my current drive as a slave data back-up storage device.
What sort of margines of difference in speed would we be talking about?? (Heavy applications - Excel, Access, Photo Shop and games use).
I'd very much appreciate any comments or suggestions in order to push me off the fence into buying a much needed drive!!!
events found
mikeyamp
12 Posts
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December 6th, 2003 15:00
Hi there,
Thank you for the feedback.
I've not seen any benchmark test results directly comparing the two drives but I have read comments on several HD questions raised in this forum (and other harware review sites) which suggest that the Maxtor is perhaps slighty less reliable than the Western Digital drives.
Reliablilty is crucial on a hard drive and that, combined with your comments, is certainly swaying me towards the WD option.
Thanks again,
Mike
network01
118 Posts
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December 6th, 2003 15:00
Hi,
First, Dell motherboards are only ATA 100 so buying the Maxtor based solely on that is a moot point. Even on ATA 133 motherboards, hard drives do not achieve a transfer rate this high. I am sure you have seen on this board discussions on this and the general consensus is that it is just a marketing gimmick.
I remember reading on one of the review sites toms hardware or anandtech that even though the hard drives benchmark fairly close, the Western Digital has an overall faster "feel" in real world applications. Also some of the reviewers on newegg.com state this as well.
My preference is the Western Digital for large 8MB cache drives.
Hope this helps!
rickmktg
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December 6th, 2003 19:00
Dale Nihiser
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December 7th, 2003 02:00
Rick
Where are the WD 120s on sale tomorrow?
The model I'm looking at is the 1200 special edition which from what I remember reading at newegg carried a 3 year warranty.
Tks
Dale
rickmktg
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December 7th, 2003 20:00
mikeyamp
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December 8th, 2003 05:00
Rick/Dale,
I've just purchased the WD1200JB, 7200 ATA-100, 8MB cache on eBay. It must be one of the "old stock" items as it comes with a three year warrantly.
I paid £64.00 for it, which in the UK is a very good price (I'd searched numerous sites with prices ranging from £70.00 to £96.00 for that drive).
I only hope the fact that WD have now droppped their three year warranty to a year is not an indication of their confidence in the products reliability!!!!
Regards,
Mike
(from Scotland)