Help me decide which hard drive I should buy today

[Guest]

Hi, I am going to buy a new hard drive today and I think I have come down to 2 choices.
1. The IBM 40 GB 60GXP
2. The Western Digital WD 400BB

I was first just going to get the 60GXP but I have been reading some scary things about them so I dont know which one to get.
Tell me which one I should get.

 

[btvillarin]

What scary things are you hearing about the 60GXP? The only problems I've heard is with the 75GXPs. Anyways, I'd go with IBM.

If you wanna see a database of reliability figures for hardrives, register and check this out:
<A HREF="http://www.storagereview.com/news/news.html#title_5" target="_new">StorageReview.com</A>
I think it's a good site, others might not agree. But, we're all entitled to our own opinion.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=13406" target="_new">My System Rig</A>

 

[Guest]

It seems that the 60GXPs are having alot of problems just like the 75GXPs, or atleast that is what I have heard and read.
I do want to buy this harddrive but not if it's not reliable.
Anyone know anything about this?

 

[kindlr]

There's the 60GXP, the 400BB, the Barracuda IV, and the D740X, they all cost the same and all perform so closely that you'll never know the difference, the D740X is the best performer and is ATA133 (in case anybody ever figures out a way to use more than ATA66's capability) and the Cuda is the quietest. No known reliability issues with any, pick a brand you like. I'm debating between Maxtor and Seagate, I ruled IBM out because I don't like buying the next product put out after a faulty one, and WD was more expensive.

Me "I bought a TNT2 M64, the BIOS says its a Vanta"
IOMagic "Theyre the same card"
Me "Um, no"

 

[Toejam31]

Here's a good, reliable online store with great prices:

<A HREF="http://www.dirtcheapdrives.com/" target="_new">http://www.dirtcheapdrives.com/</A>

If it was me, after the experiences I've had with both Western Digital and IBM, I'd be looking at Fujitsu or a Quantum/Maxtor drive. For instance, the Quantum 40GB/7200rpm Ultra ATA/100 Fireball Plus AS is a great drive, with a good track record, and the price isn't so bad, either. And take a look at the Maxtor 60GB/7200rpm Ultra ATA/133 D740X Series, with the Fluid Dynamic Bearing Motors. $159.00. Sweet.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=blue>"Does history record any case in which the majority was right?" ... Robert A. Heinlein</font color=blue>

 

[kindlr]

The drives on there are the ball bearing version. You can tell because the last two characters are JX (X=1,2,3,4). FDB models have LX.

Me "I bought a TNT2 M64, the BIOS says its a Vanta"
IOMagic "Theyre the same card"
Me "Um, no"

 

[Guest]

actually any drives will do
but i want to know wut is so scary about 60 GB?wut problems?

 

[Toejam31]

You are absolutely correct, Sir. I didn't notice that when I went to the web site to check the current prices. Thanks for the heads-up, kindlr. I must be going blind in my old age!

In an attempt to make up for the error:

<A HREF="http://www.thenerds.net/productpage.asp?pn=MXT6L020L1" target="_new">http://www.thenerds.net/productpage.asp?pn=MXT6L020L1</A>

<A HREF="http://www.egghead.com/ShowPage.dll?page=prod_page_p&ItemEDP=221256" target="_new">http://www.egghead.com/ShowPage.dll?page=prod_page_p&ItemEDP=221256</A>

<A HREF="http://www.egghead.com/ShowPage.dll?page=prod_page_p&ItemEDP=221534" target="_new">http://www.egghead.com/ShowPage.dll?page=prod_page_p&ItemEDP=221534</A>

<A HREF="http://www.handtech.com/asp/cart/item.asp?i_item_id=158858" target="_new">http://www.handtech.com/asp/cart/item.asp?i_item_id=158858</A>

That's about the best I can do online right now for one of the L*x series of Maxtor drives ... there's a high demand for them right now.

To mx1 and taikin:

Note: In regards to the IBM drives ...

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=71" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=71</A>

Whether this problem is unique, and applies only to the 75GXP series remains to be seen. I have had some discussions with people in various RMA departments, and as of yet, there doesn't appear to be an abnormal failure rate with the 60GXP series. But the series is still fairly new, and not being sold in quite the same quantities as the 75GXP, simply because of leery users. I have run across a couple of companies who have recently switched over to Maxtor entirely, (at least, for the moment) because they are suspicious of the new drives.

I have not yet fielded an RMA complaint for the 60GXP series, but I haven't installed many, either. I am hoping that the 75GXP was a fluke ... I was always a big fan of IBM drives in the past. But I'd still avoid anything made in the Hungarian plant, just to be on the safe side.

Toejam

P.S. I would have posted this sooner ... but my ISP decided to go on hiatus last night.

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=blue>"Does history record any case in which the majority was right?" ... Robert A. Heinlein</font color=blue>

 

[kindlr]

Thanks for the heads up, I hadn't been able to find any FDB models of it. Unfortunately Egghead has ceased commercial operations (they're bankrupt), so you won't be able to order the 40GB model there. I checked to see if handtech.com had the 40GB in stock but I think they're server was having trouble, I could only load the link you provided. Too bad it seems the only one out there now is the 20GB model.. I really need more space than that and I don't have the funds to get two of em.

Me "I bought a TNT2 M64, the BIOS says its a Vanta"
IOMagic "Theyre the same card"
Me "Um, no"

 

[Guest]

IBM everytime mate. I've got a IBM 7200 and a WD 7200 and I much prefer my IBM.

Why oh why did I install Win2k on the Western Digital?... Doh!

<b>I never <i>was</i> that good with hardware theory</b>

 

[Arrow]

IBM, definitely.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>