Raptor or Caviar?

[aircommando13]

Which Hard Drive will offer better performance? The 10,000 RPM 150GB WD Raptor or the 500GB 3.0GB/s WD Caviar? Though I know the caviar model is about $40 cheaper and more storage, 10,000 RPM does sound enticing...



VS.

[Zertz]

If I'm not mistaken, WD's latest 320GB platters are about as fast as the old Raptors!

Just look for the 320GB or the 640GB drives! Unless you're willing to spend 300$ on the new VelociRaptor, which destroys any desktop drives on the market.

WD makes the Raptors btw

[aticotech]

The real question is what type of content and type of transactions the data on the drive will do for you. If your are only looking for data storage go with the Caviar line, you'll get more bytes for the buck. If your running applications where speed is really the "noticeable" issue get the velicoraptor.

[werty316]

I am more cost conscience so I would settle with the Caviar.

[hnzw_rui]

Again, look the 640GB Caviars (WD6400AAKS). Those are often on sale for $109.99 which is cheaper per gigabyte compared to 500GB hard drives at the $89.99 street prices.

The 320GB model (WD3200AAKS), you're not guaranteed to get single 320GB platters since they had old models and Western Digital didn't bother to change the model number for the single-platter model that came out.

[Dragon_Cooler]

whatever you do, do not go with the window unit. It is extremely loud. Chances are you are going to have the drive in a place where it can be seen. The arm moving back and forth is really loud and is almost annoying.

[Alathald]

I always thought having a windows would be dangerous anyway, the whole point of the metal top is to act as a faraday cage to help protect your data from electromagnetic fields that could potential destroy data on your HD. So yeah, stay away from the windowed version unless you don't mind the sound and MUST have the coolest drive out there

[aticotech]

Does anyone know the time table for when the VelociRaptor single platter model will be available?

[setscrew]

For the price, the WD6400AAKS offers great performance and thermal characteristics for anyone but the most hardcore enthusiast.
AFAIK, the Velocirator will be available at the end of May.

[DaIceMan]

For the price, the WD6400AAKS offers great performance and thermal characteristics for anyone but the most hardcore enthusiast.
AFAIK, the Velocirator will be available at the end of May.

I plan to add a pair of those 640s to my network server by the end of summer.