HDD question

[skippnr]

It's either SATA(new) or PATA(old). My computer was manufactured the year they began to make the switch to SATA. I'm tired of searching the internet trying to straighten out what Internal HDD will be compatible with my comp. I have a Hitatchi Deskstar 180GXP I believe the input's technical name is the Ultra-ATA/100 is this the same as the PATA input? What Internal HDD Input would be compatible with this?

Thanks for Helpin' a noob

lml

 

[Standpoint]

Ultra ATA 100 is PATA. SATA is not compatible. What is your motherboard? Since you said that your rig was built around the time SATA started taking off, there is a chance that you have SATA connectors on the motherboard. If you do, I would highly recommend buying an SATA hard drive, as it will be much more friendly for future use. Most new motherboards only have one PATA connector now, allowing for only two devices plugged in of that style.

 

[skippnr]

Ok I answered my own questions. Finally found a clear answer on google. So now I'll ask any recommendations for a 500GB internal HDD..... Seagate over WD or Visa Versa?

 

[skippnr]

Let me figure out what kind of motherboard I have..... What's the biggest benefit of SATA over PATA besides for future use?

 

[skippnr]

Ok it's a Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 4600.... which I'm sure doesn't clear anything up. What would the Technical name look like?

 

[tiraides]

Let me figure out what kind of motherboard I have..... What's the biggest benefit of SATA over PATA besides for future use?

A small and incomplete list:

hot swapping support
NCQ
smaller diameter cable
no master/slave jumpers to configure
higher bandwidth capacity

Ok it's a Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 4600.... which I'm sure doesn't clear anything up. What would the Technical name look like?

Here's an old review of the Dimension 4600 and one of the support pages for it.

Though your computer is pretty old, you can still buy (P)ATA100 hard drives for it. Check out NewEgg.

As for which brand is best...

Seagate has the longest warranty -- five years -- but many people complain of getting refurbished HDDs when they RMA defective drives. Seagate also owns Maxtor, so all new Maxtor HDDs are rebadged Seagates.

Western Digital is generally known for its overall performance... it's arguably the best among the HDD manufacturers. Their OEM drives (IIRC) have a three-year warranty, but their retail drives have a one-year warranty. (For a nominal fee, you could extend the one-year warranty of the retail HDDs for two additional years.)