Which HDD Is Better?

[kyle2020]

Im looking to purchase a 500GB HDD next week, but ive come across a poser. Which of these 2 is better? i noticed me Maxtor had double the cache, but tbh im not sure what the cache does on a HDD and weather more is better

Samsung:

http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=807030

Maxtor:

http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=774473

What do you think?

 

[pagalms]

I would go for Samsung F1 or Seagate Barracuda 7200.11

 

[kyle2020]

hmm, i wonder how much it will cost + delivery, i only want to spend £50 :ahwell:

Do you understand the cache thing pag?

 

[pagalms]

From i know, the bigger cache is, the more space where to save data before writing on disc what means better performance. Correct me if i'm wrong

 

[francis511]

Bigger cache = slightly better performance. I`d be very interested to hear if anyone can answer this 4 u so bump

 

[kyle2020]

I hope someone can haha, id like to order soon. Cheers pag!

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Although there are still many drives using a 2 MB buffer, 8 MB can be considered standard today for mainstream desktop hard drives, and there are more and more drives with 16 MB cache as well. Larger hard drive caches not only make sense because of low DRAM prices, but from a technical standpoint as well. Hard drives utilize algorithms to pre-cache data, or to leave data in the cache memory in case it is requested again. Serial ATA drives also require a certain amount of memory to store incoming commands, because most products are capable of reorganizing these in order to process them as efficiently as possible, requiring little physical head movement. This feature is called Native Command Queuing (NCQ), and it also requires some memory to work, although the memory requirements are minor.

 

[kyle2020]

does uh that mean higher ammounts of cache mean better performance?

 

[Cybrnook2002]

does uh that mean higher ammounts of cache mean better performance?

Yeah

 

[kyle2020]

haha cheers

 

[kyle2020]

So now it comes down to brand - do i go Samsung, a brand i know and trust, or try the Maxtor?

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Id go for samsung out of those two. I personally am never running maxtor again. However, my favorite manufacturer is Seagate. Usually you get great quality drives with 5 year warranty.

 

[lemonadesoda]

Bigger cache (more than 8MB) typically DOES NOT help read or write performance, UNLESS

You chose the dangerous option of caching writes although Windows recommends against this due to lost data in situation of power loss.

If you have 16MB or 32MB cache, read performance will not improve, but write performance will.

Please check threads on TPU... I've commented on this before in detail, plus linked to very thorough benchmark analysis on TomsHardware. Go look for it, it's here somwehere

 

[kyle2020]

why not? have you had a bad experience?

 

[GJSNeptune]

Say no to Maxtor. The Samsung HDD is a good drive, but if available to you, I would recommend a Seagate 7200.11 drive or the Western Digital 640GB (6400AAKS) drive. Both are excellent and fast.

What do you mean, you came across a poser? Like to pose a question? I have a feeling that word means something different than here in the States.

 

[kyle2020]

Say no to Maxtor. The Samsung HDD is a good drive, but if available to you, I would recommend a Seagate 7200.11 drive or the Western Digital 640GB (6400AAKS) drive. Both are excellent and fast.

What do you mean, you came across a poser? Like to pose a question? I have a feeling that word means something different than here in the States.

ill have a surf around, alot of people are recommending a seagate drive. Im guessing a barracuda?

A poser is basically a question that you dont know the answer to, or it puzzles you haha. Its just an expression i guess

 

[Nitro-Max]

Kyle take a look at this one its the only one ive seen that scores a 5.9 in windows vista im getting one myself due to great reviews and preformance.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD5000AAKS)


ebuyer has them.. and overclockers uk

 

[GJSNeptune]

I'm partial to Western Digital, but people rave about Seagate, so I recommend them. The WD 640 AAKS drive has two platters. It's very fast and quiet. I would recommend it over the 500GB AAKS if you can spend a little more. A lot of retailers are selling them for $99 shipped. So probably €50 for you Euro jerks.

In the States, a poser is someone trying to be what they're not. For example, someone who wants to be a "skater" so they dress like one but don't even skate. It isn't used much anymore. It peaked in the late 90s.

 

[Psychoholic]

Check out the WD 640GB 7200 drive if you can.. its a BEAST. 320GB Platters, 95MB/S in HDtach.

 

[kyle2020]

Im looking through WD on ebuyer now, just looking at the 320GB one, and wondering if i really do need 500GB - Id be doing 3 partitions, a 30GB one for windows, and then 2 100GB partitions for programs and then storage. I really dont need 500GB, but if the price is a fiver more compared to a 320GB or whatever, ill get one.

Looking for the one nitro recommended now, and psycho's suggestion. I really only want to spend about £40 - £50 mind. Ill keep you all updated.

 

[Nitro-Max]

yes there are better WD models like The WD 640 AAKS but for the price the WD5000AAKS is a very good fast drive compared to the others shown in its price range.

 

[GJSNeptune]

Well, you can't go wrong with an AAKS drive. The 640GB two-platter version is best of them though.

 

[kyle2020]

Ok so i cant afford the 640GB one i am being recommended, but this interests me:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124735

and

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/115418

Any thoughts?

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Seagate , 5 year warranty

 

[kyle2020]

Seagate , 5 year warranty

good point - i get paid on sunday so unless any deals crop up before hand, i think it might be the seagate that i order. Thanks!