Hard Drives

[Schultzy]

It would seem things are starting to get complicated in the Hard Drive portion of computing.

Used to be you figure size/space, speed, form factor, and interface, and you were done. None of which were hard choices because some were already made for you.

How they've got HD, SSD, Hybrid thrown into the mix.

It has come to my attention that one of my two mechanical drives is on the way out the door. It's at it's stage in life where it's begining to make noise - something I am not fond of. I believe in the next couple months it may be going the rest of the way out.

So...

I currently have a 128 SSD, a 500 HD, and a 1TB HD. Set in that order as well where the SSD runs anything I keep going constantly, the 500 HD is what typically has stuff I use, but infrequently, and the 1TB typically just holds crap. Music, movies, etc.

Would it be to my advantage to spend the extra $ on a Hybrid? What advantage would I gain? Between the 500 and 1TB drives, I am only using 700. So I would be OK with only getting another 1TB drive.

Kind of torn on the choices. Not really interested in pulling any triggers yet, but the Black Friday deals look pretty good on NewEgg...

[Qicmee]

Just an opinion, but I gotta charge the usual rate. Okay?

Hybrids aren't intended for guys like you. The cache on a hybrid drive gets smarter as you use it. So, if your frequently used files are already on the SSD, you won't see a big advantage in adding a hybrid. You kinda already built your own hybrid by using multiple drives.

By the way, extra TB's are cheap. I usually buy more than I need. And then I fill the drive with stuff I shouldn't bother to keep.

[Rand{CLR}]

If you're hearing noises on that drive, you need to replace it TODAY. Do not wait. It's at the point where it could fail at literally any moment.

-Rand

[Schultzy]

Unfortunately, I cannot tell which drive it is. And I am too lazy to unplug one and load it, then do the same with the other.

So that mean I need a drive. :P

[Dead...Again]

For data drive, I would go with something slow like a WD green drive. Get larger than you need, as it will last a while.

For the other drive, I would get something like a Caviar Black. Also go a little larger than you need.

As stated previously, a hybrid drive probably won't do you a lot of good, as most of your frequently used stuff is on the SSD.

[juneau]

If you're hearing noises on that drive, you need to replace it TODAY. Do not wait. It's at the point where it could fail at literally any moment.

-Rand

Not exactly true these days. A lot of drives make clicking and clunking noises. Most of them being caused by energy efficiency additions like head parking. I hear a "slide-clunk" noise with my drive multiple times a day and it is perfectly fine. However if it didn't make these noises from the start, it could mean the drive is having issues. SMART data check and backup would be a wise idea.

On topic. The just released WD Black drives are supposed to be beastly (FZEX). Especially the 2TB and 4TB models.

[Rand{CLR}]

Not exactly true these days. A lot of drives make clicking and clunking noises. Most of them being caused by energy efficiency additions like head parking. I hear a "slide-clunk" noise with my drive multiple times a day and it is perfectly fine. However if it didn't make these noises from the start, it could mean the drive is having issues. SMART data check and backup would be a wise idea.

I'm just speaking from experience. I've had three mechanical drive failures in my computing lifetime, only the last of which gave me sufficient time to replace it and pull data (corrupted Windows but I could pull files). I had the clicking/clunking on two of them and at least one of those went poof in less than an hour.

I'm redundant as all heck now. I'm on an SSD for Windows and BF4, a RAID 1 1TB array for programs and main data, a 1TB for additional backup, and a 1TB portable for periodic backups--and I really want to get a My Passport or similar 2.5" portable to keep data in a safe deposit box in case of fire.

-Rand

[Apache Warrior]

I also have only had one hard drive give me any warning that it was about to fail. In games I would get the sound loop lockup, stuttering and what I thought was lag. When I diagnosed my problems, it was the hard drive going bad.
Apache

[goldenfooler]

I had one die on me .. it sucked.
On a positive not looks like I am getting a samsung Evo SSd

[Schultzy]

This is what my first drive that failed on me did.


It ran silent for years, then all of a sudden there was a ticking/grinding noise.

And then it went kaput.

[juneau]

I've had one drive fail also. Just stopped showing up in the BISO one day and that was it. It can usually be fixed by replacing the circuit board but at the time (about 13 years ago) I wasn't tech savvy enough and the Maxtor drive went in the bin.