150gb SATA2 WD Raptors becoming a reality!

[FragTek]

But it isn't as they're the price of two 74g raptors.

And twice the size.... 74gb = cost effective speed therefore 150gb = cost effective speed at double the size / double the price.

I'd much rather have a pair of 150's than 74's. Much needed fast access space.

 

[Eguy]

Yeh but they're not full of vital progams needed for gaming are they? I have two 250gbs in raid which take general crap like music and videos and documents etc, and then put gaming/windows stuff on my raptor. A raptor is for gaming, not storing your life on.

Uh actually they are full of vital programs, Gaming is the least I do on my computer...

 

[Phnom_Penh]

And twice the size.... 74gb = cost effective speed therefore 150gb = cost effective speed at double the size / double the price.

I'd much rather have a pair of 150's than 74's. Much needed fast access space.

I disagree, four Raptor 74s in raid would be faster than two 150s.

Uh actually they are full of vital programs, Gaming is the least I do on my computer...

So why would you want a gaming drive?

 

[FarFarAway]

I'd be using this to run my OS and some games so It seems like a nice idea to me

Also may put the 74gb prices down

 

[Eguy]

So why would you want a gaming drive?

Raptors are not only gaming drives

 

[Phnom_Penh]

Raptors are not only[/I'] gaming drives

Well thats what they're made as, they're drives for gaming servers. What do you need the speed of a raptor for if it isn't gaming?

 

[FragTek]

I disagree, four Raptor 74s in raid would be faster than two 150s.

I don't see how as the data only has to propogate between two drives rather than four...

 

[Phnom_Penh]

I don't see how as the data only has to propogate between two drives rather than four...

If you have them striped in raid0, you would get a higher bandwidth, as Raptor 150s are limited to the 150gbit/s speed like the old 74s. Although NCQ may make them slightly quicker than the 74s, but some proper benchmarks would be needed before that can be confirmed.

 

[gazdude]

I had a 74Gb raptor before and it was screamingly fast for loading games, but in real world applications I couldn't tell the difference between it and a high end Hitatchi drive.

 

[FragTek]

If you have them striped in raid0, you would get a higher bandwidth, as Raptor 150s are limited to the 150gbit/s speed like the old 74s. Although NCQ may make them slightly quicker than the 74s, but some proper benchmarks would be needed before that can be confirmed.

From what I've heard these drives will be true SATA2 compliant... Have you read otherwise?

 

[Phnom_Penh]

From what I've heard these drives will be true SATA2 compliant... Have you read otherwise?

Yeh, the guys on OcUK, as in the people who run the shop say that the Raptor 150s won't have 3GBits/s and will be limited to the same bandwidth as the 74s. They will have all the other features of sata II, but not the bandwidth. Link

 

[FragTek]

That post luckily is a bit open ended so there's still hope that it might be SATA2...

 

[Phnom_Penh]

That post luckily is a bit open ended so there's still hope that it might be SATA2...

It depends, my only thoughts are that the drive would not be able to use the bandwidth and would therefore be capped at 150.

 

[FragTek]

It depends, my only thoughts are that the drive would not be able to use the bandwidth and would therefore be capped at 150.

My current setup can max the SATA1 bandwidth, I think there would definately be a performance / bandwidth gain by moving to SATA2. Couldn't hurt at least.

 

[mrbeef]

cant wait they will be prity sweet

 

[Ramedge]

looking at the drive of a 74gb raptor these new drives are going to be really expensive! i bet they be really loud aswell

definetly cool though

 

[mrbeef]

yeah there going to be very loud i recon lol so fast though just have to put them in silencers

 

[bloodthirst]

they will run very hot more than anything

 

[JN]

Raptors are not just gaming drives, they also are great for video/photo editing machines on a budged (budget meaning cheaper than scsi).

Video editing often requires a LOT of space, so i can see a pair of these raided as being VERY useful for video/photo editors.

You also gotta think about the future, games nowdays are coming on DVD's and requiring 4gb+ hard disk space for a full install. Its just gonna get easier and easier to fill up those 74gb raptors with games as time goes on.

 

[nathan]

That's right, Western Digital is preparing for the launch of the new Raptor which will be available in two flavors: Gamer Edition and Server Edition. It's still unknown what the differences between the two will be but just know that they are coming! With any luck in the first quarter of '06.

Here's the preliminary specs...

Capacity: 150Gb

RPM: 10,000

Interface: SATA2 w/ NCQ

Cache: 16Mb

Pwnage: Yes

:worship: Western Digital :worship:

Rumor has it these drives will be priced in the $300 range. I'll take 2 please! :wavey:

would be even better if there wernt WD!