Platter density or cache?

[K404]

Well...this is more of a "does cache make much difference?"

Might have a choice between disks with 125GB platters and 8MB cache, or 16MB cache disks with... either 80 or 125GB platters. (assume 80GB and worst case scenario)

Which one would have the edge?

Cheers!

Kenny

[nn_step]

Platter Density, you can always swap chips but swaping the Discs defeats the purpose of the drives

[v3n]

both if you can

avoid 2mb models though

[crackhead2k]

Around 8MB Cache mainstream
16MB for larger drives help snooth fast transfer raites since they have higher density.
2MB for 80GB drives are fine. And for 10k drives its a different thing.

Have cache avoid data corruption when i used to have and old comp...

[Delirious]

i wouldnt buy a drive today that had anything less than 8mb of cache, its probably harder to find 2mb cache drives for desktops than 8mb.
8mb=mainstream
16mb=used in larger drives

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

Platter Density, you can always swap chips but swaping the Discs defeats the purpose of the drives


how can you swap with chips without rewriting firmware?


personally, id go for the cache if your looking for perfomance. 16mb drives are niiiice.

but lower density drives have less dependability since they have more platters.

[nn_step]

how can you swap with chips without rewriting firmware?


personally, id go for the cache if your looking for perfomance. 16mb drives are niiiice.

but lower density drives have less dependability since they have more platters.
Notice the PCB on the bottom of the Drive, you can swap them between the same series. it is really easy and doesn't take much work. :D

[Delirious]

Notice the PCB on the bottom of the Drive, you can swap them between the same series. it is really easy and doesn't take much work. :D

Have you done this before? what drives? sounds interesting

[nn_step]

Have you done this before? what drives? sounds interesting
Yes, Seagate 7200.8 250 and replaced it with the Seagate NL35 ST3250623NS 250GB. I haven't messed with different Platter Sizes though.

[[XC] hipno650]

go for cache all the way. don't get 2mb. at least 8mb but i pefer 16mb. i love 16mb cache drives they do very good!!!! i think they should make a 15k raptor with 32mb cache!!!!!!!!!!!! but thats me dreaming. :D

[crackhead2k]

32mb cache drool............ ownage!!!!
How about 500 GB raptor 1 platter and 15k? :)

[Serra]

Yes, Seagate 7200.8 250 and replaced it with the Seagate NL35 ST3250623NS 250GB. I haven't messed with different Platter Sizes though.

Did you run a before/after bench to make sure it was using the extra memory? I'm not surprised you can plug in a new chip, but I would be a little bit surprised to find out that it actually takes advantage of the extra memory capacity.

If it did, my next stop is anywhere I can find a dead hard drive that matches mine but with a larger cache...

Serra

[nn_step]

yes the Cache took.

[thegoatman]

you gotta have an exact match geometry-wise, otherwise your drive will get screwed over. I've done this a few times in the shop on drives with burnt out controllers.

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

Notice the PCB on the bottom of the Drive, you can swap them between the same series. it is really easy and doesn't take much work. :D


ive tried with maxtor drives, to replace a burnt board.

even the difference between the rohs and non rohs, with the same model number arent compatible.