what ahrd drive would you reccomend getting for around 100$

[Prism123]

Ok so I have a dell 8300 and would like to instal a second hard drive.

It currently has an ide 120gb seagate barracuda I think something.7

I know the mobo has sata slots, however If I go with a sata drive do I have to change a bios setting to run ide and saata or buy a sata cable or do any such things? I know if I get an ide drive instalation should be pretty simple as I can use the same cable as the one for the first drive as an ide cable can connect two devices and I probably won't have to mess with any settings, however it would be slower.

So what do you think would be a good drive.

I'l like realtively cool and quiet with decent performance and 300+ gb.

would I get anythign that much better by waiting a month?

Also I plan on formatting the 120 drive when I get the new one. How should I partition/use them. Should I use the 300 as the main drive with os and applications and 120 as media storage? Or the other way around or what? Attempt to instal linux on the 120?

I've never used 2 hard drives before, do I need to instal windows on both or just one, is their anythign else I need to do special to run 2 hard drives?

[Prism123]

anyone have any advice?

[Brahmzy]

WD 160GB 16MB.....Oooops, not over 300GB.

[Brahmzy]

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1064690

[Prism123]

thanks. I think I'll get that. 250 is probably more than enough, and that being a retail version instead of oem is appealing

[Prism123]

so do I have to do anything special to run an ide drive and a sata drive at the same time?

[unhappy_mage]

Retail instead of OEM means 1 year warranty instead of three (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101220-12), and that's about it.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tm=33&id=150072)http://www.hardfolding.com/utag1.php/mem/428/1.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=36&id=428&type=1)

[Prism123]

ok so between the best buy one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144392

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136003 (although I'm pretty sure I have an older version od sata so I don't know if it will work)

which should I get, or any other suggestions are welcome. and of cource an answer to my question about running borh ide and sata at the same time would be much appreciated.

[Prism123]

if I do wind up getting an oem drive, what are some good sata cables?

[unhappy_mage]

The first is a generation older. Even though you won't get the benefit of 3 gbps sata, you will get the benefit of 16 MB of cache, a good buffer strategy, and generally a faster drive. But buy from ZZF (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101253-12) - they're cheaper, and their packaging conforms to manufacturer standards.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tm=33&id=150072)http://www.hardfolding.com/utag1.php/mem/428/1.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=36&id=428&type=1)

[Prism123]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion, I think I will get that drive you linked to unhappy mage.

However do sata cables come with it, and if not can you link to some good brands on zipzoomfly? Also do I have to do anything special to run both that sata and my current ide drive at the same time?

[noesis]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion, I think I will get that drive you linked to unhappy mage.

However do sata cables come with it, and if not can you link to some good brands on zipzoomfly? Also do I have to do anything special to run both that sata and my current ide drive at the same time?

Actually unhappymage is right. That drive is sweet. Im using the 250gb version and it runs awesome. for a few bucks more you get an extra 70hb. totally worth it. plus zipzoomfly is a great company.

[Prism123]

^Thanks for the input neo

[unhappy_mage]

Right, missed that. It doesn't come with one but this bundle (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101220-12-316603) does. Only $6 for the cable :rolleyes: but it's better than paying Newegg shipping.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tm=33&id=150072)http://www.hardfolding.com/utag1.php/mem/428/1.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=36&id=428&type=1)

[noesis]

your welcome.