The hard disk doesn't always receive the respect it deserves. As the main storage medium in the computer, it is responsible for saving our most important documents and files and also has great impact on the computer's performance. Nevertheless, most people take it for granted. When purchasing a new computer, people usually pay more attention to choosing a processor, amount of memory and the model of a graphics card. And when it comes to the disk? They just take what's given.
If you're about to buy a new computer, or the hard disk installed in your computer is already full, there are a few things you should know before deciding what to buy. A good choice will allow you to invest your money wisely and enjoy more credible and speedy use.
Which capacity will suit you. Take a big disk. This might be a cliché, but you can't do without it: It's always best to go with a disk that has a larger volume than you thought you needed. A disk that seems large for you today will become small for you very quickly.
Big disks pay off. As a rule, the larger the volume, the better it pays off. The price difference between an 80GB disk volume and a 160-200GB disk volume is about $30-$50 shekels. For an additional $30-$50 shekels, you might as well get a 300GB disk.
So which volume did you get? Have a budget limit? Go for 160GB. Have extra money? If you're sure that the rest of the hardware components meet your needs, and you're planning to do more than just word process, invest the remains of your money in a disk.
Which Interface Should You Go For?
For a new computer. Go for SATA2. The disks in this interface pay off the most in every aspect. SCSI drives are expensive and EIDE drives are old fashioned and less convenient.
For an old computer. If your computer is 3 years old or more, You should check if it supports SATA or only PATA (or EIDE, which is the same). The best way to do this is to check the motherboard manufacturer's website. If you don't know the model of your motherboard, you could check it by using diagnostic software such as Sandra (on the Hardware tab click Computer Overview and look for the line that appears in the picture).
For an external disk. An external disk is a good solution if you want a volume addition for an existing computer and don't want to mess with the installation of an additional disk. It will also provide you with the possibility to move your files more easily.
USB 2.0 Interface will give you good performance. If your computer includes a suitable outlet, if you want even better performance and if you have the money, go for Firewire. By the way, the most promising technology in the field is eSATA, but it's still difficult to find products in this new interface.
What's Important To Know About Performance
Are disk performances important to you? The differences between various disk performances aren't really important to most of the people. They become really significant only in professional uses, like video and sound editing for instance. The thing that affects disk performances the most during fluent work is splitting of the files, which can be and is best to solve by defragmentation once in a while.
What affects speed? Rotary speed which is measured in units of rotations per minute (rpm) is the factor which most affects performances, but don't be confused: take a disk with a rotation speed of 7200rpm. The models which support greater speeds are very expensive and arrive in small volumes.
Another factor is cache memory. Part of the disks today come with a cache memory of 16MB volume instead of the standard 8MB (the 2MB models are vanishing from the market), and are slightly faster. In part of the SATA drives a technology called NCQ is applied today, which is supposed to improve performances compared to the SATA drives which don't support it. Anyhow, this table which was published by Tom's Hardware shows that sometimes models that don't include these improvements demonstrate better performances.
So what should you invest in? If disk performance is really important to you, install two identical disks in RAID0 configuration. They will divide the work between them and will demonstrate better performances than any single disk could provide. Many new motherboards include integrated support of RAID, although it's best to use a designated RAID controller.
What You Should Beware Of
Besides the official, orderly import of products which met the tough criterion of quality controls, defective, used or "renewed" disks also reach Israel in grey import, from various origins. Not always can such a product, which has been repacked and exhibited as an original, be identified. Often, disks in which a slight defect in functionality has been discovered and returned can seem completely OK and function properly for a long time. But it is risky to deal with them and the amount of money saved isn't much.
In short, don't be tempted to make street deals. Buy a product from a known manufacturer from a credible supplier.
By the way, every hard disk bears a sticker with a date that verifies the warranty period. Most manufacturers enable warranty checking in their website, according to the serial number that appears on the disk.
What's important to know regarding the warranty. For about $12 to $30 extra you could generally receive your disk with a 5 year guarantee instead of the customary 3. Is it worth the investment? Not for sure. You may prefer to invest the money in DVD disks and burn backups. That is the most inexpensive and worthwhile storage method today. In any case, make sure to demand the warranty certificate. It won't save your information in case of a catastrophe, but it will allow you to receive a new disk from the manufacturer even if the hardware supplier has gone bankrupt in the meanwhile.
How to preserve your information. According to a research Google has published in the matter, there's a doubt you'll have a way of predicting malfunctions in your hard disk. Still, it is recommended to take a peep at this list of tips and verify that you're providing your disk with convenient living conditions. In any case, only a regular backup can really protect you.
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