[kevindd992002]

What would be the best and fastest (practical to buy) HDD available to serve as extra space for my rig (using SSD as primary storage)?

 

[pursuinginsanity]

Not exactly the fastest, but most would recommend the 1TB Spinpoint F3. The WD Black 1TB is also a good choice, albeit more expensive.

 

[Varrkarus]

Samsung Spinpoint F3. Simple as that.

 

[willis888]

Agree w/ Spinpoint F3.

I'm currently using a 60GB Phoenix SSD for OS and Office, 500GB Spinpoint F3 for games, and 3TB Caviar Green for backups.

 

[kevindd992002]

Well, I still have a 1TB Spinpoint F3 here lying around for about 1.5 years already. I thought they're already old and not fast? There's a newer Spinpoint already right? F4?

What if we consider the fastest drive, which is it?

 

[amstech]

The F3 /F4 Spinpoints still top the charts when comparing spinners last I looked...
I need to order a 2TB for myself.

 

[kevindd992002]

Is the F4 faster than the F3?

 

[Varrkarus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevindd992002;14167521
Is the F4 faster than the F3?

f3 is still faster. the f4 was designed for storage, not speed

 

[willis888]

My impression after reading reviews is that the F4 is the replacement for the F1.

It is a cheap, quiet, reliable drive that OEMs are likely to pick over the better performing, more expensive F3.

 

[Antsu]

F3 is 'fastest' in terms of price compared to performance, and one of the fastest if everything counts.

 

[kckyle]

western digital velociraptor?

 

[willis888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kckyle;14167596
western digital velociraptor?

The F3 is faster in all categories other than random access time.

The velociraptor would be a better OS drive than an F3, but a SSD will be a better OS drive then the velociraptor.

The F3 is the faster storage drive.

 

[kevindd992002]

Ok. So even the HDDs with SATAIII interfaces are still beaten by the F3?

 

[willis888]

HDD's can't even take full advantage of SATA II, only the very top-of-the-line SSD's can.

Mechanical drives only use SATA III as a marketing gimmick.

 

[kevindd992002]

Oh ok. So there isn't a mainstream HDD that can beat the F3 as of now except for those very expensive Raptors?

 

[Varrkarus]

Yep, F3 is the best speed/storage/money HDD avaliable.

 

[Kramy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by willis888 The F3 is faster in all categories other than random access time.

Err... no.

But they aren't worth their price. Too close to what SSDs cost. F3 is definitely the better buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willis888 The velociraptor would be a better OS drive than an F3, but a SSD will be a better OS drive then the velociraptor. The F3 is the faster storage drive.

True, and... not likely. Velociraptor 600GB has ~160MB/sec max sequential.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...gb,2600-5.html

 

[Smoblikat]

How come noone has suggested the WD raptor? Its the fastest SATA drive, without doubling price and halving size to go for a 15k SAS drive, and it has a good amount of GB. 36 - 600/1TB drives.

Also, i used to own an F3 and i never thought it was anything special, i then upgraded to my current setup and see much better results.

 

[kevindd992002]

But the WD Raptor is significantly more expensive than the F3 right?

 

[Varrkarus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevindd992002 But the WD Raptor is significantly more expensive than the F3 right?

Yes, a lot more..