internal hard disk buying help

[anniyan_avadharithuvittaan]

my​ ​samsung​ ​internal harddisk has failed long back. i am planning to buy a new 1TB internal ​desktop ​harddisk​ ​to replace it​. i dunno what parameters will influence the compatibility of the HDD with my desktop. my motherboard​ is INTEL D101GGC​.​ ​i am not sure which interface should i buy​ - ​IDE or SATA or anything else? and if that capacity [1TB] will slow down any​ ​OS [most likely windows-7], that ​i​ will install for this configuration. is there any relationship between the harddisk capacity and the ​resulting ​speed of ​​PC? ​ie., will ​a ​higher capacity like 1TB slowdown the PC​ and ​my system​ will hang often? ​if yes, how can i remedy it? [different people say different answers. many say that there is no relationship. others say that there is relationship. others say that it can be remedied by having multiple smaller partitions of the 1TB HDD instead of fewer bigger partitions. others say that increasing the RAM will solve the problem. i am totally confused as to which​ ​of them is correct]. ​so it would ​​be great if people can clarify my doubt​ using​​ their esteemed expertise with supporting knowledge. thanking you in advance.

Spoiler

Desktop computer Summary generated by http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Operating System
MS Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3
CPU
Intel Pentium D 820
SmithField 90nm Technology
RAM
512 MB Single-Channel DDR @ 199MHz (3-4-0-8)
Motherboard
Intel Corporation D101GGC (Socket 775) 40 °C
Graphics
SyncMaster (1024x768@60Hz)
ATI video (Intel)
Hard Drives
39.1GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG SP0411N (PATA) 38 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H42N
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

Device Tree
ACPI Multiprocessor PC
Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
ACPI Fan
ACPI Thermal Zone
ACPI Power Button
System board
ACPI Fixed Feature Button
PCI bus
PCI standard host CPU bridge
ATI SMBus
Motherboard resources
Communications Port (COM1)
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Motherboard resources
PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Plug and Play Monitor
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel
Secondary IDE Channel
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel
Secondary IDE Channel
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
USB Root Hub
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
USB Root Hub
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
USB Root Hub
ATI IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H42N
Secondary IDE Channel
SAMSUNG SP0411N
Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
PCI standard ISA bridge
ISAPNP Read Data Port
Motherboard resources
Programmable interrupt controller
Direct memory access controller
System timer
System CMOS/real time clock
System speaker
Numeric data processor
PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
Extended IO Bus
AV13UF0Y IDE Controller
Standard floppy disk controller
Floppy disk drive
ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
Printer Port Logical Interface

 

[WyomingKnott]

The board supports SATA drives, so use the more modern SATA interface. Using a 1 TB drive will not slow down your system in any way. You've received bad information somehow.

 

[chris_shadez]

As posted above, using a 1TB primary drive will not slow down your system for even a large OS like Win7. And yes, IDE is outdated, the newer faster SATA is what's used now.

Though if you want to counteract the degrading Boot up times experienced over time as the primary hard drive fills up, you can use a smaller drive mainly for just your OS and programs with no option to install to another drive and buy and use a secondary drive for all your other programs and data.
For Example, 250 GB Primary hard disk (for OS) and 500GB Secondary Drive (for other programs and data) [500GB/1TB/2TB - as much as you think you may need]

Another thing is that you could use Solid State Disk (SSD) instead of SATA drives. These are the new drives, much faster than and replacing SATA, though more pricey, albeit reducing in price fast

 

[kenrivers]

You may want to upgrade the RAM to the max of 2GB (most the board will support) if you plan on running Windows 7. This is not related to the size of the hard drive but will help Windows and applications perform better.

 

[chris_shadez]

Yeah, though, In my opinion, with the hardware on that system, it will run as fast as was meant to stuck with XP but far slower with Windows 7 due to its hungry system requirements...
and i get the feeling ken is tailing me =P

 

[anniyan_avadharithuvittaan]

Though if you want to counteract the degrading Boot up times experienced over time as the primary hard drive fills up, you can use a smaller drive mainly for just your OS and programs with no option to install to another drive and buy and use a secondary drive for all your other programs and data.
For Example, 250 GB Primary hard disk (for OS) and 500GB Secondary Drive (for other programs and data) [500GB/1TB/2TB - as much as you think you may need]

instead of the combination of 2 physical drives as you have said, can i buy a single 1TB drive and partition it (logically) accordingly as to how you advised as? coz the price of one 1TB drive will be lesser than the combo; which will fit into my budget. BTW, SSD-s are beyond my budget.

PS. sorry if this is not the right place; i am new here.

 

[anniyan_avadharithuvittaan]

thanks everyone for the crisp and crystal-clear answers, which cleared my confusion that was bugging me for a really loooooong time.

 

[chris_shadez]

yes a single 1TB SATA would be fine. as per your original question, without all the extra details, a single 1TB will not slow your system in any way compared to what you currently have. In fast, would be a great upgrade and you should experience a rise in speed too
Glad to be of help