What is the best 7200RPM IDE HD?

I would say the Maxtor D740X ATA133 drive due out in October (but they say it's available now through major distributors). It also has the FDM (Fluid Dynamic Bearing). If you want to spend the money on a new (non proven) interface.

Other then that I would go with the Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 60 series (model 5T060H6).

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ATA133 is only a minor update so I don't think you should be too worried about it.

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I still think it's teh best.

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The fluid bearings will be nice, though. For those of you who can hear the hard drives over your HSF, of course  

I recommend the 60GXP for current hard drives. Cheap, fast, quiet...

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ATA133 is kind important since it will get us over the 137 Gig limit.

I agree 60GXP series are great drives.

heh. personally i would prefer a 10,000rpm IDE drive and wait for proper serial ata.

as for what drive to reccomend, 60GXP.

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Where is everyone hearing this about the 10k RPM IDE hard drive? Anything I read about serial ATA doesn't mention that anywhere ...

Anyone have any information on that?

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I've heard that the Quantum Fireball Plus is one of the best drives on the market. That, and the IBM Deskstar.

Of course, Maxtor bought Quantum, so maybe they put all that good stuff into the newest DiamondMaxes...

The Quantam Fireball Plus AS (which I believe you are referring to, seen <A HREF="http://www4.tomshardware.com/storage/01q1/010312/cebit-..." target="_new">here</A>), is a very nice drive. Fast, and also with FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearings, only on Fujitsu and Quantam drives currently, AFAIK). The only other question is reliability. Some people trust Quantam (and Maxtor, for that matter), some don't. It's up to you.

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I just read the review of WD 1000BB. I am just curious why they don't benchmark the Deskstar 60GXP instead of the outdated 75GXP?

That is an interesting point. It's possible that the 75GXP is that "standard".

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Tom has long kept the 75GXP as a favorite. Even when the Maxtor, Fujitsu and Quamtam drives all beat it in the same review he didn't really outright say that the 75GXP has been bested.
And maybe he hasn't gotten his hands on a 60GXP to review yet?

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Rest in peace</font color=green>