View Full Version : Need a super fast 500Gb sata drive
I've been tasked with finding a superduper fast 500Gb sata drive.
What's currently the bestest and quickest?
Dymetrie
13-05-2008, 11:21
The one in your computer....
foo'!
:p
That's still the best, bang for buck? The ST3500320AS?
Dymetrie
13-05-2008, 12:45
Dunno...
But I likes it :D
I've been told that a 1Tb will do - The Samsung Spinpoint F1 (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4ZTT&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=spinpoint&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0) seems quick, anyone used one?
i've got the 1tb F1 - love it :D sooo much space :D
i've got the 1tb F1 - love it :D sooo much space :D
Space isn't the underlying concern, it's speeeeeeeeed!
If speed is the concern then go smaller and/or RAID. More IOs per GB. Read a good post on the Exchange blog a while back about how disk considerations have changed because capacity has rocketed, was quite interesting:
In 1996, a typical disk was 10GB in size, and delivered about 100 IOPS; or about 10 IOPS/GB. Today, a typical disk is 500 GB and delivers about 100 IOPS; or about 0.2 IOPS/GB. The IOPS per GB has dropped 50 fold.
They've chose a benchmark to suit the point they're trying to make so it's a bit exaggerated generally speaking, but you get the idea.
Hokay, I'll get the ST3500320AS ordered, ta.
Admiral Huddy
13-05-2008, 14:20
The samsung F1 750 is slightly quicker than the 1TB drive. I assume because it has less platers.
semi-pro waster
13-05-2008, 16:47
If you've already ordered then it is a bit late but the Samsung F1 320gb (uses a single platter) is very quick if you can find one.
The WD 640gb drives (two platters) are also extremely quick.
If you absolutely have to have speed regardless of cost then a couple of 10k Raptors in Raid0 will probably be about as fast as you'll get at consumer level before you start looking at 15k SAS drives and expensive controller cards.
500Gb was the minimum requirement and I had to order today so I grabbed the Seagate based on previous experience.
The samsung F1 750 is slightly quicker than the 1TB drive. I assume because it has less platers.
Sorry but it just ain't - tests have shown it to be markedly slower as it doesn't use the new 334GB platters.
The 320, 640 and 1000MB drives all use the new 334GB platters whereas the 500 and 750 both use the older, smaller platters and thus can't sustain quite the same speeds.
LeperousDust
22-05-2008, 01:46
TBH though, without looking at RAID, whats actually in it? Better looking at cheapest/quietest in most cases i suspect. If you actually are seriously looking at speed you be silly not to look at RAID and/or 10k drives...
I was under the impression the new Samsung drives were quicker than the 10k drives along with being nowhere near as noisy
LeperousDust
22-05-2008, 02:41
Well thats the thing the 10k drives weren't ever that much quicker than the "standard" drives anyways! They were running about 50% faster, but not showing the same perfomance gains! Drive technology has lagged a lot like Daz said, if you want speed RAID is the only sensible option everything else is pretty much the same (from what ive read, but i won't lie i generally ignore drive specs now days).
10k drives like the Raptor and SCSI units are all about access speed, which is what matters in general usage. Raw transfer speed only really helps when shifting large, contiguous quantities of data and doesn't help that much with lots of relatively small file access, which is what general usage is all about.
This is why RAID0 only really helps with large file transfers and why a single 10k drive will murder a 7.2k RAID0 array for general Windows use.
If we're talking pure seek time, to be fair that depends on the RAID controller. A soft RAID one might not be up to scratch, but a proper controller? I'd disagree with that.
A Place of Light
26-05-2008, 17:47
If you've already ordered then it is a bit late but the Samsung F1 320gb (uses a single platter) is very quick if you can find one.
Isn't the 320 gig F1 vapourware?
SidewinderINC
26-05-2008, 18:05
Isn't the 320 gig F1 vapourware?
I had to look that term up :(
A Place of Light
26-05-2008, 18:10
I had to look that term up :(
Sorry bro'
Don't tase me.
;)
semi-pro waster
26-05-2008, 19:45
Isn't the 320 gig F1 vapourware?
The do exist I believe, I don't know of anywhere selling them offhand though I'm afraid. They do appear to be a bit Duke Nukem Forever it is true. :)
A Place of Light
26-05-2008, 23:51
The do exist I believe, I don't know of anywhere selling them offhand though I'm afraid. They do appear to be a bit Duke Nukem Forever it is true. :)
I've heard so many stories about these things. Recently I heard they've ALL been recalled due to a fault, but I can't get a definitive answer. I've yet to see a store (either here or in the US) stocking any and I've never found anyone who bought one.
I REALLY want one to use as a boot drive, but I'm losing hope.
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