Hard Drive Question

[Mike..]

I am not overly concerned with how big the HD is, just want to know which way should I go as far as connection. Conventional ATA or SATA? Is there a difference in speed? Is it just a cable vs ribbon deal? Any advice on this would be great as I am trying to pick one up this weekend to finalize my build and get the wireing all trimed up and neat before I start installing software. Thanks guys!


Mike

[ozzy72]

SATA is the future, the drives are and will be faster than ATA. However whilst they tend to need a little less power they also have a different power connection but most come with a 4-point adaptor for legacy reasons as not many PSUs come with the 15 pin SATA connection yet. Make sure your MOBO can handle a SATA drive and the connecting ribbon

[Mike..]

From what I have seen on my new motherboard it has 6 SATA connections. So if I go SATA, I can eliminate the big flat ATA ribbon correct?



Mike

[ozzy72]

Yup as long as your optical drives can use the same cable

[Mike..]

Thats another problem. I got a DVD/Burner and it is a PATA connection and I didn't see a SATA connection on it. So the DVD has to ba a SATA like the HD? If so, Why?


And if worse comes to worse and I have to go with an ATA HD to match my DVD, aren't there connectors out there that do the job of the ribbon, but in a "wire like" form? If that's the case the DVD didn't come with any connectors and the 2 ribbons that came with my mobo don't fill the entire connector space although I am sure one of the ribbons is for the ATA style HD's.

So, I guess I need 1 ATA "wire style" connector and 1 PATA "wire style" connector. I can't return the DVD now.







Mike

[Mike..]

Guess Ozzy went to sleep on me . Kinda need an answer so I know what to get tomarrow. Don't want to get the wrong stuff.....



Mike

[MWISimmer]

Your mobo WILL have a PATA connection along with your SATAs, so your DVD will be good to go.
You can use both together, it won't matter, but DEFINITELY go for SATA for your HDD.

[Mike..]

Ok,  just so I am clear. All I need to get is a PATA connector for my DVD. The MOBO already came with SATA wires, and get a SATA HDD, and I will be good to go......Correct?? :-?




Mike

[NickN]

yes

either a WD Raptor 150GB
or a SATA 300 250-500GB drive

[Mike..]

yes

either a WD Raptor 150GB
or a SATA 300 250-500GB drive

SATA 300? Thanks for your input Nick. I was thinking Seagate at one point in time Western Digital better?



Mike

[NickN]

yes

either a WD Raptor 150GB
or a SATA 300 250-500GB drive

SATA 300? Thanks for your input Nick. I was thinking Seagate at one point in time Western Digital better?



Mike

It

[Mike..]

Just an after thought here. With all these new self-enclosed external HDD's out there, is there any reason at all why, If I decided, just to get one of those as they are USB connected? Does it put a strain on the USB connections because it is not directly connected to the MOBO?

I WILL be putting in an internal on this build, just wondering if it is possible to just hook up an external via USB and roll.

I'm on the hunt today guys. The Vid Card will be here 01/15/08. A GeForce 8800 GTS SSC edition w/640 GDDR3 onboard.


This is what I have so far installed

Antec 900 Gamming case
BFG Tech 650 PSU w/turbo fan switch, Life Time Warr
ASUS P5N32-E SLi MOBO
Pentium Q6600 Quad 2.4Ghz
OCZ 4 Gigs DDR2 mem
HP dvd 1040i 20X multiplatform DVD writer with lightscribe.


Just gotta get that PATA connector
HDD
Vid card on the way

Wouldn't mind putting another 120 fan on the side panel but I can't seem to find another LED blue one local. I should be alright for now though as this rig had fans a plenty on it out of the box, to include a hugh 200 exhaust fan on top. I figure when I am not flying or gamming I can practice skydiving techniques in the comfort of my own home

Thanks for all the help! Will keep you posted with more questions I am sure as I get closer to finalizing this monster.


Mike

[NickN]

USB is SLOW

The ONLY external drive that will be as fast as an internal is one that has a eSATA connection which means the motherboard has to have a eSATA port on the back and support that connection. ('e' stands for EXTERNAL)

Firewire comes in 2 flavors, 400 and 800. Firewire 400 is actually about the same speed as USB, DOG SLOW and firewire 800 is double USB/firewire 400 speed.

You can NOT even begin to consider running FSX or any other title on an external drive unless it is indeed eSATA


I happen to have a 4 drive RAID sSATA external stack I use for testing so I can connect it to different towers when I do performance test work. Very expensive setup as 1 eSATA 500GB drive runs about 250 dollars.


You can use USB/Firewaire externals for backup drives but do not expect to use the for OS or MSFS. never

And keep in mind, at USB/firewire speed they will be very slow

[Mike..]

I figured as much Nick. Going internal reguardless, just wondering. Thanks again!



Mike