i think the reason the big disks run slower is because they contain more platters
Hi there
Not necessarily true -- more platters -- more access arms etc etc. Depends on what you mean by "Run slower".
Data access slower or physical speed in RPM is slower. The Bus connection also is significant -- SATA, e-sata, IDE etc etc.
If the "Caching" size is large enough and the "Pre-fetching" algorithm decently accurate - this is an algorithm that gets "predicted" data from the HDD based on statistics the OS gathers while you are logged on - then technically the disc could rotate at 1 RPM per minute and still serve data quicker than a disc rotating at 10,000 RPM with poor caching and a useless pre fetch algorithm --an extreme case but there is a lot more in Disk access optimisation than just brute RPM speed.
In fact newer discs even at 6400 RPM deliver data much quicker than older discs such as 60 GB disks -- large a few year ago --having the same RPM speed.
As always in all things computing things are generally NOT as they seem to be.
Hi kdogg
You don't need 10 seasons of Stargate to be online all the time -- just get a couple of 500GB external USB disks - really CHEAP now and back the episodes up.
Keep two copies of backup (ALWAYS have 2 copies of ANYTHING backed up in case one fails) and then you can free your primary disk space on your computer.
Incidentally you don't need super fast access for watching a Stargate or any other DVD (even if copied to disc) so there isn't any need to keep the whole lot on line all the time. Just run from the external USB disc -- even a small netbook will do this just fine.
Cheers
jimbo
RAID doesn't prevent data loss if the disks fail. You STILL need decent backup.
Cheers
jimbo