Need help deciding on a Harddrive.

[BrooksyX]

I am wanting to order a new hard drive for my new build in the next few days but I am unable to decide what to get. I just sent this drive back (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144701) because the seek noise was way too loud. I am wanting a sata 3.0 drive with at least 16 mb cache, but I don't want to spend over $75.

Right now my top choices are:

Seagate 320GB Serial ATA/300 16MB Buffer ST303204N1A1AS-RK
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5296757?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
$65 + $5 shipping

or

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
$70 w/ free shipping.

I would prefer the one that is going to be quieter and faster. The difference in size isn't a big deal. Maybe you know a better HDD in the same price range?

 

[Cold Storm]

I'd go with the Barracuda because it has the quite tech... and the fry one shows a pata one and not the sata.. don't like those types of things...
I can't suggest anything else because you sent back a wd so i know i can't show you a wd... But, the barracuda is a good one...

 

[Laurijan]

A test winner in read/write speed here in Finland was the T166 - Samsung 500Gb, Sata 3.0, 16Mb - it cost a little bit more than 75 bucks - about 110€

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152052

I got one as network drive and it is very quite..

 

[JrRacinFan]

You mind generic(store brand)?
I can find you a 250GB 8Mb cache SATA2 for $48.

 

[BrooksyX]

I just want the best quiet sata 2 drive I can get for under $75. This is going in a build I just put together:

AMD Athlon X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
G. Skill DDR2 800 (2 x 1 GB)
Leadtek 8600gt
Thermaltake TR2 430 watt psu

This computer will be used for light gaming, homework/web, and a media center for my bedroom.

Right now I am using a WD 80gb Sata 1 hd from my old computer so I am wanting to upgrade as soon as possible.

 

[Laurijan]

That has the same interior (technically identical) as the 500Gb but is only 320Gb and your price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152054R

 

[BrooksyX]

Hmm... How quite is this drive. I am really wanting a silent drive since my computer is pretty quiet for a budget build.

Would anyone else recommend the Samsung drive over the 250g Seagate barracuda. I am leaning towards the barracuda but the only thing I am worred about is the chance off getting the AAK firmware and the seagate - nforce compatability issues (I think this was solved?)

 

[Laurijan]

Hmm... How quite is this drive. I am really wanting a silent drive since my computer is pretty quiet for a budget build.

Would anyone else recommend the Samsung drive over the 250g Seagate barracuda. I am leaning towards the barracuda but the only thing I am worred about is the chance off getting the AAK firmware and the seagate - nforce compatability issues (I think this was solved?)

The drive is really quite i havent heard it working once.. And it outperformend the seagates in the test i read..

 

[Laurijan]

The drive is really quite i havent heard it working once.. And it outperformend the seagates in the test i read..

A western digital 500Gb i lately bought was working very noisy compared to the samsung

 

[Mussels]

A test winner in read/write speed here in Finland was the T166 - Samsung 500Gb, Sata 3.0, 16Mb - it cost a little bit more than 75 bucks - about 110€

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152052

I got one as network drive and it is very quite..

my vote goes for this drive, i had 8 arrive yesterday, and they just kick ass.
uploading a screeny of drive to drive between two of em in vista...


every drive is very quiet, they're fast, and they're cheap. havent had any fail yet either, and i've been using heaps of em.

 

[BrooksyX]

Okay you guys got me set on this samsung drive. I usually use WD or Maxtor/Segate but ill give samsung a chance. I have never had a problem with any of the samsung electronics I own so why should a hard drive they make be any different. The only thing that worries me is that its an open box item. Do you guys think that I will end up getting someones garbage or I will get good drive?

 

[trog100]

u need to think about cushion mounting your drives.. the case acts like soundboard and is what makes most of the noise..

i always buy samsung spinpoint thow.. but only cos they are cheap in the UK..

trog

 

[BrooksyX]

Okay I have one last question? Would my system benifit at all by uping the ram to 4gb or would it just be overkill. Im not really thinking for performace in gaming but performace with windows vista 64 bit. I am planning on upgrading in the next few months.

Here is the ram I have right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

Would it be worth buying another set of it.

 

[Laurijan]

Okay I have one last question? Would my system benifit at all by uping the ram to 4gb or would it just be overkill. Im not really thinking for performace in gaming but performace with windows vista 64 bit. I am planning on upgrading in the next few months.

Here is the ram I have right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

Would it be worth buying another set of it.

ddr2 ram is so cheap nowerdaysthat it would be a loss to no buy 4gigs - but i dont know if vista gets any faster with 4 gigs because i dont use it. Edit: And buy the same sticks you already have

 

[Cold Storm]

what vista x64? you'll most likely need 4gbs to run it... Vista x86 requires 2gbs to start up while x64 requires 4gbs... its better to get the ram... You'll need it.

 

[BrooksyX]

I am probably going to go with vista home premium x64 oem off of newegg.

So looks like I am going to go with the samsung and then pickup some more ram on payday next week.

If I bump my cpu up to 2.6 ghz and oc the video I should have a nice little system for under $450.

Thanks for the help!

edit: looks like I got the last samsung. They are sold out now.

 

[Cold Storm]

read this before getting trying to get that oem...
remember to get the same ram as you have gotten before...

 

[BrooksyX]

Yeah, ill make sure to get the same ram again. I also realize that vista oem is locked to the motherboard but ill probably use this set up for the next few years. The only upgrades I can see myself making is upgradeing the cpu and the video card.

 

[Cold Storm]

If thats what you want, then go for it man. I don't see the point for the simple fact that if that mobo dies... IMO... But the only thing you will want to upgrade and should is those two things.

 

[BrooksyX]

I guess it depends on the price a few months from now and if some of the bugs get fixed. I do have a Business 32-bit upgrade edition of vista so I might use that for a while. But eventually I want a x64 copy of home premium or ultimate.

I don't know if it is really worth paying twice as much for the retail version. I heard that if you complain enough about your motherboard dying M$ will reset your key.

 

[Cold Storm]

I use x86 ultimate and runs great... right now im stuck on xp because of my mobo going under... I have windows media center up and running with xbox and its beautiful... I think you'll have a better experience with x64 ultimate.
and for price.. its been going down and down... was almost 400 and so when it first came out.

 

[Mussels]

what vista x64? you'll most likely need 4gbs to run it... Vista x86 requires 2gbs to start up while x64 requires 4gbs... its better to get the ram... You'll need it.

vista 64 needs no more ram than x86. its merely that the 32 bit version cant use more than 3GB, so everyone who goes 4GB of ram has to go x64.

4Gb helps, because a lot of games use 1.5-2.5GB of ram, this just leaves ram for whatevers left in the background (OS, Antivirus, etc)

 

[Cold Storm]

all right.. from what I was told is that it needed 4gb... and from everyone that I've seen that has vista ultimate x64 they all run 4gbs...

 

[Mussels]

all right.. from what I was told is that it needed 4gb... and from everyone that I've seen that has vista ultimate x64 they all run 4gbs...

you just got it backwards is all.

4GB of ram = 3GB of ram under 32 bit OS

Vista 64 runs on 512MB ram if you try

 

[Cold Storm]

if I can get a hold of vista ultimate 64 I will do so! thanks again mussles