are SATA and ATA compatible within the same computer setup?

[pepperg]

would having 1 ATA hard drive like the Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive and 1 SATA hard drive like the Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive be compatible?

i was considering putting both into a home built gaming system.

is the speed/loading increase of 10,000rpm substantial enough over 7200rpm to make buying the digital raptor worth if for gaming- ie will it load and run games faster? that would be my main reason to buy it.

and, if i do go with it, can i run the western digital 250gb SATA drive as a 2nd drive for my immense itunes music collection and non-gaming related data?


thanks.

 

[pscowboy]

They're both SATA's! Way different engineering. You wouldn't want to RAID them.

The 1500 is a Server class drive well over $200, and certainly fast enough (and classy enough) to handle your games. But just remember, it's always the GPU that gives you the power to handle intense games. You'll be going for $500 on that. As you're finding out - gaming is an expensive hobby when you're doing it right. Worth it? Depends on your level of expertise and intensity in your gaming focus. I would say yes - One is NEVER sorry when buying quality.

The 2500 is a typical workstation/home comp drive at about $85-$90. Perfect for your secondary needs.

They would get along just fine in the same box.