Post by nano2nd on Sept 1, 2008 15:20:09 GMT
Hi Guys,
I'm mulling over my next mini-upgrade (I can't leave it alone). Having failed to overclock my Q6600 beyond 3.1GHz with any kind of stability intact, I'm looking at how else to inject some extra performance into my machine. Which brings me to HDDs, in particular my boot/system drive.
Currently I'm running off a 320GB SATA with 16MB cache - disk test in xbench typically scores around 65. I'm looking at two options, trying to balance costs against the performance gain obtained:
1. New WD Velociraptor
www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-238-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=768&name=Western%20Digital%20VelociRaptor%20300GB%2010000RPM%20SATA-II%2016MB%20Cache%20-%20OEM%20(WD3000HLFS)
Nearly 200 quid but quick as you like and nice and easy to install - just clone to the new disk, EFI patch and I'm away. But pricey.
2. Software RAID 0 using a couple of 500GB Seagate Barracudas each with 32MB cache.
www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-142-SE
Booting off the software RAID 0 is doable now based on Aquamac's guide but I'm a little nervous as the D975XBX2 could be fussy (?). However, half the price of the single Velociraptor and more storage space to boot.
A single 1TB system drive is a little more than I need (current Mac HD is around 100GB) and my first thought was a couple of 250GB drives with 32GB cache but my understanding is that the 500GB drives will be slightly quicker due to areal density and what have you.
Help me out guys, which should it be?
I'm mulling over my next mini-upgrade (I can't leave it alone). Having failed to overclock my Q6600 beyond 3.1GHz with any kind of stability intact, I'm looking at how else to inject some extra performance into my machine. Which brings me to HDDs, in particular my boot/system drive.
Currently I'm running off a 320GB SATA with 16MB cache - disk test in xbench typically scores around 65. I'm looking at two options, trying to balance costs against the performance gain obtained:
1. New WD Velociraptor
www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-238-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=768&name=Western%20Digital%20VelociRaptor%20300GB%2010000RPM%20SATA-II%2016MB%20Cache%20-%20OEM%20(WD3000HLFS)
Nearly 200 quid but quick as you like and nice and easy to install - just clone to the new disk, EFI patch and I'm away. But pricey.
2. Software RAID 0 using a couple of 500GB Seagate Barracudas each with 32MB cache.
www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-142-SE
Booting off the software RAID 0 is doable now based on Aquamac's guide but I'm a little nervous as the D975XBX2 could be fussy (?). However, half the price of the single Velociraptor and more storage space to boot.
A single 1TB system drive is a little more than I need (current Mac HD is around 100GB) and my first thought was a couple of 250GB drives with 32GB cache but my understanding is that the 500GB drives will be slightly quicker due to areal density and what have you.
Help me out guys, which should it be?
