Which hard drive??????

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NickCapolupo

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Im trying to make the final purchases to get to work on my first attempt at a computer build. I need a hard drive. Im looking for the best deal out there TODAY. Basically, 500gb is plenty for me ( A little more, little less is okay). My main concern is quality and price range. I am willing to spend $50 after shipping. (I might get crazy and spend $55, but thats it). I really dont want to spend anymore, as I have already spent more than i meant to buy a couple hundred dollars. So, whats the best I can get quality-wise for that price? I cant decide between so many different ones. If you want to know what I prefer with speed/performance/noise...

I would much rather have a little noiser HDD that performs better. (I say this because I read about choosing between WD green/blue/black. I would probably be a black or blue guy).

Please help me ASAP. Im sitting with my credit card out, ready to get this done now.

Thanks, Ive gotten alot of great advice off this site, and plan on asking any and all questions I have right here. Thanks to all!
 
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rwpritchett
The F3 is $55 on newegg, for $20 you can step up to a 2-platter 1TB F3 model.

The reason less platters is better on mechanical HDD's is mostly due to density. Samsung packs 500 GB's on a single platter, and uses a single head to read that platter. Compare that to the first generation of 500GB hard drives that had 5x 100GB platters with five heads. That adds to more power usage, more noise, more heat, and it takes longer for the heads to read and write data over the larger surface area.

Also, think about a spinning disc at a set RPM. The outside of the disc in linear terms, moves faster than the inside of the disc. Reads and writes will be faster on the outside of the disc (platter). So, the more data you have available on the...
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NickCapolupo

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Is this HDD pricey? Also, do you mind giving me a 2 minute explanation on single platter/double platter and what that means? I just kind of want to have a little more knowledge on it, so its less stressfucl the next time I want to build one
 
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rwpritchett

rwpritchett

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The F3 is $55 on newegg, for $20 you can step up to a 2-platter 1TB F3 model.

The reason less platters is better on mechanical HDD's is mostly due to density. Samsung packs 500 GB's on a single platter, and uses a single head to read that platter. Compare that to the first generation of 500GB hard drives that had 5x 100GB platters with five heads. That adds to more power usage, more noise, more heat, and it takes longer for the heads to read and write data over the larger surface area.

Also, think about a spinning disc at a set RPM. The outside of the disc in linear terms, moves faster than the inside of the disc. Reads and writes will be faster on the outside of the disc (platter). So, the more data you have available on the outer edge of a platter, the faster that data can be read/written.

In short, a single platter 500GB drive will always be faster than a 500GB drive with 2x 250GB platters, which in turn is faster than a 500GB drive with 5x 100GB platters. So on and so forth.
 
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rwpritchett

rwpritchett

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The HD502HJ model is the 500GB F3, so good choice there. If you don't have a spare SATA cable, then you should buy one for the drive since it doesn't come with one. The $4 cables will probably work just fine. They look like the generic cables you get with just about any motherboard.
 
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NickCapolupo

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oh, so sata cables come with the mobo. Then I wont buy them. Im buying the motherboard today also, ASRock 770 Xtreme.

Thanks for the platter explanation. makes sense. One last question. This motherboard Im getting supports 6.0gb/s hard drives. Now, will I be plenty fine with the HDD I chose above? Or should I be looking for a 6.0gb/s HD? I figure I wont find one in the 50-60 price range. Whats your opinion. BTW, this computer will be used for starcraft2/music/youtube/smut basically. I dont play a lot of games, but I do want starcraft to run at optimal performance. If it affects your opinion, heres the build..

Phenom 2 x4 965 CPU
ASRock Xtreme 770 mobo
GTX460 (EVGA) GPU
Fatal1ty 550w PSU
Antec 600 Case
2x2 GB Kingston Xtreme DDR3 1600
 
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It is 2 platters but they are 500GB each making it very fast. It is your best bet.

The Spinpoint F3 drives have been the best "bang for your buck" for a while now.
 
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NickCapolupo

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I just bought the 1TB one. Thanks guys. I dont know who to give the best answer to... pritchett was very helpful with all the facts, but anort had the deal.. thanks to both, dont know who wants the best answer mark
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Thats up to you buddy. Whoever helped the most I guess :p

Glad you got the deal. You will be happy with it. It's a great drive and usually over $70.
 
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