SATA HDD for video editing

[NOSRAC]

I recently purchased a Sony Vaio and have really gotten into editing my home videos. The PC came with a 120 GB HDD and has since become full of my videos. For right no I'd rather not delete any of the uploaded video to create more space. I intend to purchase another HDD and I am looking into the SATA HDD's. I'm somewhat satisfied with the performance of my current IDE HDD. But with the prices of the SATA HDD being comparible to the IDE, I'm leaning towards SATA. Now my questions:
1) Can I have both IDE and SATA in operation at the same time. I would use my IDE for regular PC usage and my SATA to store the video.
2) If I'm currently satisifed with the performance of my IDE drive, would buying 2 identicle SATA drives and setting them up in RAID 0 configuration be worth the time and money?...in other words will the performance and speed blow away the IDE drive.
3) Lastly, I don't have an XP disc. The operating software came installed. If I were to purchase the 2 drives to set up a RAID, would I have to purchase XP seperately to install on the new SATA drives?

 

[paparazi]

NOSRAC
Are you sure your motherboard has SATA connections?
If it has then although only slight, it is worth going SATA, probably the main benefit is that it won't use another one of you valuable IDE connections.
Raid! well thats up to you, it won't blow you away but there is a reasonable improvement but some setting up to do.
The easiest route would be just one big SATA drive like the Westerndigital Caviar 250GB.
You will need SATA drivers if they havn't already been loaded.
These should be available from Sony's website but looking at the controler chip on the motherboard should enable you to find the make/model and so the correct driver on the net if you have to.
Try looking through the supplied disc's to see if they have hidden the SATA driver somewhere.
Also you may need to "enable" SATA in the bios.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[NOSRAC]

Paparazi,
Thanks for the quick reply. My pc came stock out of BestBuy, so I'm pretty sure it does not have any SATA connections. I did a little research on the Sony controller chip and I think it is just IDE. Is it possible to use a PCI-SATA interface? I'm not quite sure if I'm using the right acronym, or if an adapter even exists. I guess the bottom line question would be: If your motherboard does not have a SATA connection can you still use a SATA drive?

Thanks again!

 

[paparazi]

Yes it's completely feesable and there are a wide range of PCI to SATA controller cards now available.
Here is just ona couple I found:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...?keywords=SATA+card&image122.x=8&image122.y=9

http://www.directdial.com/vs/item/prod.asp?item_num=PCISATA2

It's just wether you think the extra cost is worth the outlay.

Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[NOSRAC]

Martin,
I went to Best Buy today and inquired about SATA hard drives. Of course they didn't have any in stock. The Sales rep did bring up one question and I thought I'd ask here as well just to confirm. If both hard drives, IDE and SATA spin at 7200 rpm's, how much more of a difference are we looking at as far as read/write speed? I'm not prepared to pay for a 10k rpm hard drive. According to the Sales rep it wouldn't be that much of a difference if both had the same spin rate.

Thanks again!

 

[paparazi]

NOSRAC
True there isn't much differance between the same speed drives on IDE or SATA, probably only a couple of percent.
As you have said, you were generally happy with the performance of your present IDE drive and your motherboard doesn't have a built in SATA controller then probably a large IDE drive slaved off your main drive is likely best for you.
Martin

Start by questioning and soon you will be anwering.
So please take but remember to return and give when you can.

 

[cdogg]

There are two things to consider here:

1) The number one problem is that your motherboard does not have SATA integrated into the southbridge. In other words, going through PCI using a controller card is limiting SATA to 133MB/s, which is no better than ATA/133.

2) Newer SATA drives are slowly becoming fitted with high-end mechanical parts similar to some SCSI drives. Eventually, you will see the low and high end price range for SATA to help distinguish the difference. Since you are hunting low-end, there's essentially no advantage in having SATA over IDE (especially since you'll have to use a PCI controller card).

Unless you are serious about setting up a RAID array, the best option for you is to just buy any well-priced 7200RPM w/8MB cache IDE drive. If you are still considering RAID as an option, then buy another drive identical to the one you already have. Then at some point, you can configure them in a RAID array to increase performance by as much as 5-20% depending on the action.

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[NOSRAC]

CDOGG and MARTIN,
Thanks for your input. I believe I have the information needed to make a final decision. I will be staying with IDE hard drives for now. I truly appreciate your input and advice! I'm glad I came here before I spent a lot of time and money on something that would not benifit me as much as I thought it would have.

Thanks again!
Ed