Amout of cache

[framar]

What is the benefits from using a HDD with 8Mb of cache instead the usual 2Mb ?

 

[dhlucke]

Try searching the forum. The hard drives in question are called JB or special edition Western Digital drives. That will make the search easier.

I personally have a 2000JB and a 1200JB, 200GB and 120GB respectively and the 8MB of cache is nice. Last I checked, the price difference between a 2MB and 8MB drive was negligable so go with the bigger cache.

Unfortionately the hard drive is still the biggest bottleneck. It still is not fast enough for my taste. I want things to load NOW. With that said though, give your PC any advantage it can get with hard drives. I defintely recommend the Western Digital JB drives. Maxtor also has 8MB drives but they either only have a one year warranty vs 3 with Western Digital, or they cost too much last I checked.

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[12th_Man]

Check out <A HREF="http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=mqQZ6SOg&p_lva=&p_faqid=534&p_created=1031764219&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTE4OSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWNhY2hlJnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9NCZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT1_YW55fiZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMj1_YW55fiZwX2NhdF9sdmwxPX5hbnl_JnBfc29ydF9ieT1kZmx0JnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=" target="_new">Western Digital's FAQ</A> about this topic.

 

[KrazeIke]

Hitachi and Seagate also have 8mb cache drives.

 

[camieabz]

6MB more cache for starters.

Cache is used to 'cache' data to the RAM rather than access the drive for it. If it's in the cache it'll load faster.

Open an app. Close it. Now open it again. That's memory and drive caching operating there. Much faster the second time.

Obviously, if the data you want isn't in the drive cache it'll still need to access the drive for it. I would imagine repeated task usage is the best environment for getting the most out of cache. MS apps, lots of web browsing etc.

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[soulprovider]

The drive controller uses an algorithm to predict what data will be needed next and places it in the cache. If it's prediction is correct the data can then be fed to memory a whole lot faster than if it was wrong and has to retrieve it from the platters.

with more cache, more data from the algorithm predictions can be loaded increasing the chances of a speedy delivery.

<b>Vorsprung durch Dontwerk</b>.....<i>as they say at VIA</i>

 

[svol]

And if a disk writes but first needs to move its head in the right position data can already be send before that. With 8MB cache you can speed up the write process in some cases.

I love my Delta 60HP 7000 RPM fan that puts out more dB then CFM