External HDD suggestion/advice needed - Page 3

Anupam · 15. Jul 2011, 03:44 PM

Thanks Sope. That was quite an interesting read. WD Align was mentioned on the hard disk cover of Caviar Green that we saw, and I intended to read about it more. Seems like for multiple partitions, we have to use that software. Will read about the procedure.

Meanwhile, I was searching for Seagate 1 TB. I came across some posts on Seagate forum, which were not encouraging at all. One thread reported some kind of problem, with a 1 TB model and I think Seagate had released a firmware update for that, because of the issue. The guy ran into troubles even after that update. Another thread reported a problem in another 1 TB model of Seagate SATA. Now I am thinking of going for WD Caviar Green. Lets see, will read more.

I am not keen on Seagate drives after reading about their problems. Maybe we will compromise a bit on performance with WD Caviar Green, but atleast they will be reliable.

Sope · 15. Jul 2011, 03:46 PM

From what I can gather, if your main concern is speed of transcoding video files you would need to look at the system as a whole. Obviously CPU and RAM size/speed have a significant effect on this, more so than the HDD speed. A modern 5400rpm HDD with 64MB cache should be up to the task and it's debatable whether you would notice much difference with a 7200rpm disk instead. In addition, the lower rpm drives are said to be more reliable and run cooler than the faster ones.

If it was me, I'd probably go for the WD.

Anupam · 15. Jul 2011, 03:51 PM

Not transcoding actually, but more of video editing. Although transcoding too will be there sometimes.

The system is P-IV with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM. We are also thinking of going for another 1 GB RAM, to increase it to 2 GB. That will also increase performance a bit.

Yes, the Caviar Green drives are less noisy, cooler, and use less power than the Caviar Black ones, and are more reliable.

I too am leaning towards WD Caviar Green at this moment.

Sope · 15. Jul 2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anupam

Not transcoding actually, but more of video editing. Although transcoding too will be there sometimes.

The system is P-IV with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM. We are also thinking of going for another 1 GB RAM, to increase it to 2 GB. That will also increase performance a bit.

Yes, the Caviar Green drives are less noisy, cooler, and use less power than the Caviar Black ones, and are more reliable.

I too am leaning towards WD Caviar Green at this moment.

All things considered, my guess is that you won't be able to notice any significant difference in speed between any of the drives available to you. Considering you've suffered reliability problems in the past I think the WD Caviar Green drive would be a sound choice.

Anupam · 15. Jul 2011, 07:36 PM

Yes, Sope, I am thinking along the same line as you, and inclining more towards WD Caviar Green. I think I will go for it, unless something else changes my mind in the meantime.

I have posted this on tomshardware too, and waiting for some replies there. But, its almost certain that WD will be the choice. Will do some more reading.

15. Jul 2011, 03:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15,329	Thanks Sope. That was quite an interesting read. WD Align was mentioned on the hard disk cover of Caviar Green that we saw, and I intended to read about it more. Seems like for multiple partitions, we have to use that software. Will read about the procedure. Meanwhile, I was searching for Seagate 1 TB. I came across some posts on Seagate forum, which were not encouraging at all. One thread reported some kind of problem, with a 1 TB model and I think Seagate had released a firmware update for that, because of the issue. The guy ran into troubles even after that update. Another thread reported a problem in another 1 TB model of Seagate SATA. Now I am thinking of going for WD Caviar Green. Lets see, will read more. I am not keen on Seagate drives after reading about their problems. Maybe we will compromise a bit on performance with WD Caviar Green, but atleast they will be reliable. __________________ Anupam

15. Jul 2011, 03:51 PM	#23 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15,329	Not transcoding actually, but more of video editing. Although transcoding too will be there sometimes. The system is P-IV with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM. We are also thinking of going for another 1 GB RAM, to increase it to 2 GB. That will also increase performance a bit. Yes, the Caviar Green drives are less noisy, cooler, and use less power than the Caviar Black ones, and are more reliable. I too am leaning towards WD Caviar Green at this moment. __________________ Anupam

15. Jul 2011, 07:36 PM	#25 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15,329	Yes, Sope, I am thinking along the same line as you, and inclining more towards WD Caviar Green. I think I will go for it, unless something else changes my mind in the meantime. I have posted this on tomshardware too, and waiting for some replies there. But, its almost certain that WD will be the choice. Will do some more reading. __________________ Anupam

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15. Jul 2011, 03:46 PM	#22 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 1,174	From what I can gather, if your main concern is speed of transcoding video files you would need to look at the system as a whole. Obviously CPU and RAM size/speed have a significant effect on this, more so than the HDD speed. A modern 5400rpm HDD with 64MB cache should be up to the task and it's debatable whether you would notice much difference with a 7200rpm disk instead. In addition, the lower rpm drives are said to be more reliable and run cooler than the faster ones. If it was me, I'd probably go for the WD.