Hard Drive Specs

[cshajkur]

I'm considering purchasing a larger hard drive to replace my current 10GB HD. I noticed the specs for the Hard Drives are written as follows: W.D. Caviar SE 40GB 7200/8MB/ATA-100 EIDE Hard Drive.

Besides being a 40GB Hard Drive what is the meaning of the numbers given?

 

[vop]

7200 rpm
(disk speed capability in rotatations per minute - typical for most current drives)

8MB
(on board hard drive cache memory used to improve input/output performance - reads up to 8MB into memory at a time rather than doing multiple mechanical reads - up to 5% speed improvement over smaller cache drives)

ATA-100
(a measure of rated theoretical i/o's capacity per second - up to 100MB per second throughput)

The above numbers are pretty typical for current drives. You can get 10,000 rpm drives - they are not cost effective for most users and they tend to run hotter (cooling considerations) . Older drives can have less than 2MB cache. There are also ATA-133 drives, but current chip sets are not currently able to realize on the potential speed improvements that might eventually be possible.

 

[cshajkur]

Hello, I just wanted to say thanks you for a very clear expalnation of my question.

 

[TekTippy4U]

and EIDE stands for
Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics....other interfaces include SCSI,

and make sure you get an 80 conductor cable if you don't already have one.....(Don't know if it'll come packaged with the drive)...

Just my five cents worth
TT4U

 

[cshajkur]

Hi Thanks for the information. I have 1998 Gateway G6 400Mhz that has the 40 pin cable. I completely forgot about the cable issue. Can I replace the 40 pin with a 80 pin cable. What advantages would it give me over the 40 pin cable?

 

[TekTippy4U]

Yes ...Absolutely...The 80's are meant to do that......The 80 pin looks quite similar to the 40 but have twice as many conducters(obviously)....The other 40 are to supress signal and line noise.....basically "Shielding"

I believe(not sure) all the 80 pins are all Keyed so you can't misalign when connecting.....or are atleast marked with a stripe on the 1 Pin......(some 40's are not keyed)..

TT4U

 

[TekTippy4U]

Also ...generally the 80 pinners have the mobo connector color-coded BLUE....and the Master/Slave connectors colored Black and Grey.....

Get Max length of 18 inches.....NOT 24 inches.......these longer lengths cause timing errors and signal degredation....

In order to use the CS (Cable Select) feature
The 80 pin is needed also to riun Ultra ATA/66.and Ultra ATA/100....as you're considering......


The 80's also work on ATA/33 and slower....

TT4U

 

[cshajkur]

Thank you thats very clear. Given the low Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF) rate of Windows 98, would it be practical to increased the H.D. size to say 40GB/7200/8MB/100 ATA.

Would a larger hard drive mean more data lost per issue? I'm trying to take the MTBF of Windows into consideration before locking myself into a particular size. Which size gives the average user the most benefit in performance?

I have a late model 1998 Gateway G-6 400MHz, MB, 56K, 10.3 and 13.6 Hard Drive and H.S. Cable modem. I also have a Floppy, Zip, CDRW and CD Rom Drives.

 

[TekTippy4U]

I've never hear that term....( you learn something new everyday here and more)........
I'm not really a full blown tekie......
Just mildly technically proficient.....

Tha stats are sure to help others help with that.......

Good Luck
TT4U

 

[vop]

The smaller the drive, the more is the potential to fill up the drive sooner. As you fill up the drive beyond 75% capacity, the rate of fragmentation can really start to get out of hand. It is, in fact, fragmentation and usage patterns that wear down a drive, not the passage of time particularly.

I would suggest that you look at the price point differences between 40,60, and 80GB. Often the additional cost per GB is practically negligible. More space may actually ensure better longevity.

MTBF is a theoretical design objective and may not reflect actual results. Who is to know what the reality is?

One thing for sure - hard drives are getting better and more reliable all the time. The latest drives use fluid bearings - less friction than the standard ball bearing drives. You'll pay a little more for the fluid types and sometimes $10-20 less for the older standard for similar capacity.

 

[edfair]

Never heard of MTBF on Windows. Must have been designed for double digit hours.

Forget that, the frustration is showing again.

Ed Fair
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[cshajkur]

Ok, Thanks MTBF pertains to the life cycle of the hard drive before it fails not windows per se. Usually applied to a mechanical device but can refer to a operating systems. In other words anything that has a life cycle. For me I hope its no less than a 100 years.

 

[MOmelanuk]

I recently purchased a 120 gig 7200 RPM Maxtor drive. It replaces a 30 gig Maxtor that was OEM in my computer. It has an 8 meg cache and the speed difference is definately noticeable. I got the drive at CompUSA for $80 (after rebate) and have seen similar deals at Best Buy and Circuit City. If you can affort the bigger drive, you won't regret it.

Mike

 

[TekTippy4U]

Thanks
edfair
MoOmelanuk
vop

As a result of the combined info........I am now..
1. able to affirm my sanity.....:>)
2. going to defragment my drive more often
3. consider upgrading my HDD

TT4U

 

[cshajkur]

Thanks for posting that information was very helpful. Money is definitely an issue right now. I was trying to save up for some new false teeth but I might be able to spring for a larger hard drive for that price. I will start looking around for one on sale. Again, Thank you all.