Best hard drive for graphics???

[itman76]

I was wondering if anyone can help me? Can someone recommend a hard drive that will be fitted into a workstation PC, that will be used for graphics. I'm building my client a new PC, and his company produces graphics / art works. So i need something reasonably large, around 60 - 80GB. Any thoughts on brand, cache, RPM etc. Can u also explain to me why you choose it, so i can explain it to my client, thanks.

John

 

[cdogg]

Best combination of speed and cost:
Western Digital WD800JB - 80GB with 8MB cache buffer
[tab] - less than $100

Best overall speed:
IBM 180GXP 120GB with 8MB cache buffer (hard drive market now belongs to Hitachi)
[tab] - less than $130


The 180GB version of the IBM 180GXP is almost unbeatable for EIDE drives. However, if you only need 60-80GB, go with the WD800JB from Western Digital. As long as you get an 8MB cache buffer, you'll be alright.




~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[VMPhilosophy]

BEWARE OF IBM AND WESTERN DIGITAL DRIVES!!

"Did you ever wish a circle was a square, so when land sharks start circling the boarders you can just cut them off at the corners?" - Aesop Rock

 

[bcastner]

You client may benefit by adding a removable storage device like an IOMEGA zip drive.

 

[cdogg]

bcastner,
It sounds more like the client needs to rely on a fast internal drive for "producing graphics / art works". I'm not so sure they need something for transport as you suggest.

VMPhilosophy,
When it comes to hard drive brands, everyone has a grudge against somebody. IBM's infamous 75 GXP models were crap and had a high failure rate. However, since then they've revamped the technology and joined with Hitachi. I have yet to hear any complaints with newer models.

As for Western Digital, I hear as many complaints about them as I do Maxtor. If you're concerned about the complaint list, Seagate usually has the smallest of the four top brands. However, they're fastest EIDE model (Barracuda ATA V Plus) is slower than the other 3 brands' fastest.

~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[bcastner]

cdogg,

The biggest problem in this graphics/art work setting I have seen is that they run out of hard disk space. There has to be a convenient way to archive completed work. My suggestion was in addition to any speedy hard drive.

Best.

 

[cdogg]

bcastner,
Even if storage is in question, why go with a Zip drive which is limited to 100MB, 250MB, or 750MB? I would think that a CD-RW drive would make more sense:

- cheaper drive
- cheaper media
- universal format (doesn't have to be read in another CD burner)

Even making the investment in an external hard drive seems like the better option. I don't see why someone would want to invest over a $100 in the old ZIP technology.




~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[comtec17]

What type of Bus is it going on, IDE or SCSI?

I would choose an IBM DK32EJ Series SCSI 10000 RPM, These drives are very impresive. I had just recently bought 35 of these for a customer that their primary business is Printing and Imaging. They have said nothing bad about these drives. All I hear are good words. You can view the product sheet here.

http://www.hgst.com/hdd/dk32xx/dk32ej.html

The only problem with upgrading a drive for a faster one is, what is your workstation specs. If you have an older, slower workstation, you might want to consider getting newer faster ones.