Windows 7: Opinion: How would you utilize two HDDs

I was digging around in my parts bin and I came across a pair of old Seagate Barracuda 500gb units. They're matched, each one is 7200rpm, probably SATA-2.

I have no idea what the specs are for the TB drive that came stock with the box (HP pavilion P-6777 c-b.) I'm just guessing here, but I figure it's minimum SATA-2/5400rpm. What the specs, the thing is slow.



I've installed on of the 500's and it seems to be working well. So my question, per the title, is how would you configure these two drives? I'm thinking that I should do a fresh install on the 500 and then use the TB drive for mass storage.

Sub-question - I'm considering installing the 2nd 500, but my stock PSU is giving me pause. Its a 250 watt unit and don't want to overload it. I don't have an outrageous video card (GT 8800) but still, I think it could be risk.

I'd try to run benchmarks on the 1 TB versus the 500 GB drives to get some insight as to relative speed. And then maybe install to the faster drive. If that is a desktop PC, I'd think the 1 TB should be 7200 rpm, but I could be wrong.

Hard drives use no more than 10 watts. I seriously doubt adding a second drive is going to cause PSU issues.

Honestly, I'd sell both of the drives, and put that money towards an SSD and a usable PSU. 250W is FAR below what a current system should be running.

I used to subscribe to that theory, but not anymore. First, when I did believe in 600 watt PSU's, I was running 3 or 4 HDDs, 2 optical drives and big video cards. Nowadays, I'm running a very stripped down system that seems to working just fine* on a 250.

Having said all of that, Newegg is offering a 550w PSU for $27.00 so I might just order that up.

*I say the 250w has been fine, but in reality there have been times on Steam (playing Renegade Ops) when the box has locked up. So is that because my video card is behind the times, or because my PSU is wimpy?

Without knowing any details of that 27 dollar 550 watt PSU, you may be better off with what you have.

Fresh off browsing newegg so this opinion is biased
Pick up a external 3.5/usb case for the 1tb, use it on any pc you need it then.
Some guys are into the raid thing, seems like noise to me. Use one 500/7200 as a main drive then use the other as a ghost drive.

Newegg.com - COOLMAX V-500 500W ATX Power Supply

My bad - 500w, $27.99. It should be noted that it only has a 3-egg rating.

There are numerous Seasonic/Antec/Corsair power supplies at Newegg in the 350 to 400 watt range for under 50 dollars that I would buy rather than that Coolmax.

This seems like a solid solution. I'm big into torrents these days (mainly TV series and movies) and being able to pass off a "media" drive would be useful. I could set up a mirror raid with the 2x 500gb units.

Under-powered PSUs aren't the stuff of theory. I'm surprised you can play any game at all on that system. Yes, many people go way over-board, such as running 1000W in a standard system. But you should always ive your system a cushion over what it requires, and then add extra to that as well.
That could be very possible. I would think your video card's minimum suggested is around 400W or so.

I have three OCZ PSUs, from 500W to 700W. The most expensive was $60. If you shop around and stick to quality brands, you can get a good deal.