New HDD Advice

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 291
    Vista/Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Wow thanks everyone that's given me a lot to think about :)

    Well I would love a solid state drive but the prices are way out of reach at the moment so its going to have to be a good old fashioned HDD for me. I use my computer for a little bit of everything, just general everyday use, email, web, video, music and a little bit of gaming but not much as I have a PS3 for that :)

    My PC was originally a HP Pavilion t849.uk but I have slowly been adding parts over the last few years to get a bit more life out of it...currently my specs are:

    P4 3.00 ghz
    2 GB RAM (I also have a 2GB flash drive plugged in with ready boost enabled not that I notice much improvement)
    Nvidia Ge Force 9600GT
    Cross fire 530 watt PSU

    I just checked in device manager and it looks liek this is my HDD: Seagate ST3160023A 160GB IDE ATA/100 Hard Drive

    I think I would want to go down the route of trying to get the best speed as possible, noise isn't really an issue as long as it doesn't sound like a washing machine or vacuum cleaner! lol

    As for capacity I don't really want anything to huge as I keep all my documents on an external HDD anyway so it will just be used for the OS itself and my programmes :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #12

    burtie said:
    Wow thanks everyone that's given me a lot to think about :)

    Well I would love a solid state drive but the prices are way out of reach at the moment so its going to have to be a good old fashioned HDD for me. I use my computer for a little bit of everything, just general everyday use, email, web, video, music and a little bit of gaming but not much as I have a PS3 for that :)

    My PC was originally a HP Pavilion t849.uk but I have slowly been adding parts over the last few years to get a bit more life out of it...currently my specs are:

    P4 3.00 ghz
    2 GB RAM (I also have a 2GB flash drive plugged in with ready boost enabled not that I notice much improvement)
    Nvidia Ge Force 9600GT
    Cross fire 530 watt PSU

    I just checked in device manager and it looks liek this is my HDD: Seagate ST3160023A 160GB IDE ATA/100 Hard Drive

    I think I would want to go down the route of trying to get the best speed as possible, noise isn't really an issue as long as it doesn't sound like a washing machine or vacuum cleaner! lol

    As for capacity I don't really want anything to huge as I keep all my documents on an external HDD anyway so it will just be used for the OS itself and my programmes :)
    Sounds like a good choice, get what fits your needs.
    Remember to leave room to expand, new programs, new OS, etc.

    The price for the one you linked seems a bit high.
    If your in So Cal, try searching the web for better deals.

    Newegg always seem to have good prices.

    Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3160215A 160GB 7200 RPM 2MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
    $45.99, small cache on this one though

    Newer version for half the price.


    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKB 500GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
    $72.99, still better price than the one you linked, and 500GB 16mb cache (get the biggest cache you can find w/7200 RPM)

    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJB 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
    $54.99, 8mb cache,

    This will give you an idea of the prices, lucky if you can beat these prices though.
    Get the biggest cache you can with 7200RPM.

    For your computers system information try SIW - System Information for Windows
    It doesn't install on your computer and gives you a lot of information.

    Good luck
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 291
    Vista/Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #13

    Sorry I should have been more clear...the one I posted a link to is what is currently in my PC not what I am looking to buy :)

    So if I get one with a bigger cache would it be best to go with 32mb as other people have suggested?

    I just found this on Amazon : [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-Barracuda-internal-SATA-300-buffer/dp/B0016OKSIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254677381&sr=8-1]Seagate - Barracuda ES.2 - Hard drive - 250 GB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]
    Is that any good? I think I am going to go with 32mb and 7200RPM :)
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #14

    A 60GB (e.g. OCZ Vertex) or 80GB ( e.g. Intel X25) SSD for the system plus a 500GB for data would be the ideal combination.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #15

    burtie said:
    Sorry I should have been more clear...the one I posted a link to is what is currently in my PC not what I am looking to buy :)

    So if I get one with a bigger cache would it be best to go with 32mb as other people have suggested?

    I just found this on Amazon : Seagate - Barracuda ES.2 - Hard drive - 250 GB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
    Is that any good? I think I am going to go with 32mb and 7200RPM :)
    The one you linked to is an IDE HDD, so if that's what you have now then you will need an IDE HDD, or a SATA hard drive to IDE cable converter if you want to use a SATA HDD.

    An example SATA Hard Drive to IDE Converter - Converts ATA Hard Drives to IDE
    Just did a quick search on converters.

    It's a different type of HDD, one difference is that the IDE uses a wide cable and SATA uses a smaller cable.

    I haven't used one of these converters, so can't tell you any details.

    Other than that, the Seagate hard drive you linked looks like a good one.

    Go with the 32mb cache and 7200RPM.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 291
    Vista/Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #16

    Oh rite I didn't know I would need a converter too. Thanks for letting me know.
    Looks like I got all the info I need to make a decision now.

    thanks everyone, you been a great help :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 291
    Vista/Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #17

    Hi again...just one last question...

    I just tried out System Information for Windows and it says my main HDD has ATA bus type. Does this mean I will or wont need a converter?

    Thanks :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #18

    burtie said:
    Hi again...just one last question...

    I just tried out System Information for Windows and it says my main HDD has ATA bus type. Does this mean I will or wont need a converter?

    Thanks :)
    In SIW under 'Hardware', click 'Storage Devices', look at 'Interface', what does it say there?

    Should be PATA (IDE or EIDE) or SATA (Serial ATA).

    If PATA (IDE or EIDE), you need the converter.
    If SATA (Serial ATA), no converter.

    You can look in your computer at the hard drive cable.
    If you see a wide (2") ribbon cable it's IDE,



    if you see a couple of squarish plugins with normal looking wires it's SATA.



    For a little info on the two:
    Serial ATA
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 291
    Vista/Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #19

    It says Parallel ATA. I just opend the case and took a look at the hard drive, its connected with a squarish plug and normal wires so I take it I wont need a converter! YAY :)

    Thanks again for all your help, I am new to replacing hard drives so sorry for asking lots of questions :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #20

    burtie said:
    It says Parallel ATA. I just opend the case and took a look at the hard drive, its connected with a squarish plug and normal wires so I take it I wont need a converter! YAY :)

    Thanks again for all your help, I am new to replacing hard drives so sorry for asking lots of questions :)
    Parallel ATA or PATA is an IDE drive.

    Looks like there's a converter in there already if it looks like the bottom pic above.

    If that's the case, then the SATA drive should work for you.

    Good luck, let us know how it goes,
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:59.
Find Us