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Which Hard Drive To Buy?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by James Martin, 2004/08/16.

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  1. 2004/08/16
    James Martin

    James Martin Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Hi All,

    I am planning to buy a 40 to 60 GB HD real soon, but I would like some input on which brand would last the longest...I am leaning toward Maxtor, or WD, but I have heard negative talk about both brands.

    Also, would a HD (7200 rpm too) this size work with W98se (500mz processor, PC100 bus speed) ?

    Thanks,
     
    James Martin,
    #1
  2. 2004/08/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hi James!

    The limiting factor in an older computer is the motherboard, which ATA spec it supports. Motherboards of the same vintage as 500 MHz processors generally support ATA33 or ATA66. This would mean that an ATA100 would function but not to its full potential. (Forget all about SATA!)

    When You study harddisk reliability, You get a history lesson. When reliable figures have been accumulated, the successor has been out since long ...... :rolleyes: ...... and the reliability of that one could be the same ...... or better ...... or worse!

    When I decided on a new harddrive, I selected the smallest size which came with a three years warranty period. I ended up with 120 GB / 8 MB cache and it was 1/3 more expensive than a 80 GB / 2 MB cache model with a one year warranty period.
    What I bought "extra" was not 40 GB but two years warranty.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #2


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  4. 2004/08/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Take a look at this poll

    I used to support Maxtor, but after 3 failures this year, not all on my PC thankfully, I now go for WD.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2004/08/16
    Paul

    Paul Inactive

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    "The big three" are Western Digital, Maxtor and Seagate, (in no particular order) with probably IBM fourth or somewhere between the first three?

    Even the "top" brands can fail at ANY time as I found out with my first SATA seagate.

    Christer is right, get the best warranty you can. Even if it's from one of the "lesser" brands. ;)
     
    Paul,
    #4
  6. 2004/08/23
    James Martin

    James Martin Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the help....For the time being, I went with a 60GB Maxtor ($50.00) from Staples...Price seemed too good to pass up at the time!

    Currently, I have an older Maxtor, plus an older WD drive too...So far, neither one has been a problem.
     
    James Martin,
    #5
  7. 2004/08/31
    Chiles4

    Chiles4 Inactive

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    I hope it's a 7200rpm drive! It makes a big difference. Our family is currently a Maxtor family. All four PCs use Maxtors with an extra Maxtor in my rig. Never had a problem to date.

    Gary
     
    Chiles4,
    #6
  8. 2004/08/31
    James Martin

    James Martin Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Yes, it is 7200 rpm...Much faster than my older drives.
     
    James Martin,
    #7
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