buying a new HD

[Pile]

Hi, can someone just run me through anything they think i should know about as I embark on a mission to get a bigger hard drive. I was thinking 200GB. Assume total stupidity

My system is pretty standard....quite high spec (so to speak - in that its not an antique)
P4 1.5Ghz
512Mb SDRAM
Nvida Geforce2 MX 100/200 32MB
Not sure on the motherboard..its an AZUS

Do i need to worry about the hard drive speed, connection type? etc...etc...

Thank you for any help anyone offers

Thanks
Pile

 

[Comtech]

No worries, only a couple of things to think about.
1.) Find out the model of your motherboard, and then check the Asus site to see what size of drive it can handle.
I would assume you have a P4PE or P4B533, either of which will take a 120 gig with no trouble. Not sure about 200 gig though. Asus is pretty good about BIOS updates, and there may already be built in support for a drive that large.
2.) Any IDE drive will work (given the above condition).
3.) Make sure it's 7200rpm...much faster than 5400rpm.
4.) Search for one that has an 8mb cache onboard. Most only have a 2mb cache. The 8's are faster. I know Western Digital, and Maxtor both make drives with 8mb cache, and my personal choice is the WD. Others prefer Maxtor. Price should be within a couple of dollars, so get the one with the best warranty, and easiest RMA procedure (just in case). Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/