Using an old Sony VAIO HDD with litecoin rig?

[shadowxyz]

I was originally just going to run Linux off of a USB stick, but then I remembered that I have a HDD that I pulled out of my old Sony VAIO PCG-K315S before I disassembled it. I'd really like to make use of it, but would there be any difference running Linux off of it compared to an SDD or a USB? Bearing in mind that I'm only be going to be using it for mining mainly. If so do I need to do any prior formatting, or will the Linux installation take care of it all? I think there were two partitions on it before - a Drive C and a Drive D.

Thank you all.

 

[drtweak]

If you compare that to a USB drive it will probably be as fast or faster depending if its a high end USB 3.0 drive other wise Disk drives are Way faster than USB 2.0 and most standard 3.0 drives. If its SATA then yes Go for that.

If you compare it to an SSD don't even bother. A SSD even low end ones will out perform any USB drive and most Disk drives.

 

[shadowxyz]

Thanks for the reply. I know an SSD would be better, but I'm just trying to keep costs down at the mo! Unfortunately I don't know if it is a SATA or not, or even if the USB is 2.0 or 3.0. Is there a simply way to find out? Also, when you say "faster", do you mean in terms of just general computer speed? For litecoin mining would the type of storage device affect the hash rate in any way? Thank you.

 

[drtweak]

Well if the hard drive is an IDE drive there are 44 pin adapters for 40 Pin IDE and SATA.

and most thumb drives say 2.0 or 3.0 on them.

And yes Faster in not only general computer speed but also the OS speed but if you use Linux I don't think you'll worry too much on that part.

As for litecoin I'm not sure. I would think Hashing would requite more CPU horse power over Disk Drive Performace but I'm not sure.