Fastest comupter hard drives

[immortality]

Seriously this damn thing is doing my head in, I need some whizz kids advice on computers that have internet pages just promptly connecting, my internet connection is always top speed, I'm so fed up clicking on a web page and waiting 5 seconds for it to load (I know, yes I am very impatient, it really bugs me)

I am still relatively new to this computer browsing and still getting used to all the programs and hardware that comes with it, I need a new comp, but don't know much in terms of best for speedy browsing (remember my browser is pretty quick and I've done all the scans for viruses and malware and spyware)

Thanks so much for your help my Casinomeister friends,

Mary

 

[me_and_ed]

I have a new ASUS Zenbook, the hard drive is solid state, the data transfer is out of this word compared to magnetic platter hardrives, as well it is razer thin. 26 seconds to do a full boot up.

 

[Silencio]

What kind of browser are you using? Probably Internet explorer 7/8... Try chrome and be amazed
Great article about the history of IE

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

 

[immortality]

What kind of browser are you using? Probably Internet explorer 7/8... Try chrome and be amazed
Great article about the history of IE

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

I use firefox 12, I know it's this comp Silenico, because even programs take up to 10 or more seconds to appear (antivirus programs etc)

 

[Slotaholic]

Is it a laptop or a desktop,are u using win7 or another os?
There are many things that can cause delays when browsing,one comon is proxys.
If your antivius prog uses a proxy to scan websites for viruses and malware,it might cause som delay.
Another is DNS setting in your router,using bad DNS settings can cause delays when browsing.

If you use a laptop,make sure that you are using hign preformance as power plan.

when u say that your internet connection is good,what speed and latency do you have.
I have 100/100 mbit.

/Slotaholic

 

[immortality]

Is it a laptop or a desktop,are u using win7 or another os?
There are many things that can cause delays when browsing,one comon is proxys.
If your antivius prog uses a proxy to scan websites for viruses and malware,it might cause som delay.
Another is DNS setting in your router,using bad DNS settings can cause delays when browsing.

If you use a laptop,make sure that you are using hign preformance as power plan.

when u say that your internet connection is good,what speed and latency do you have.
I have 100/100 mbit.

/Slotaholic

I have 100Mbps connection so it should be fast enough, I've deleted a heap of downloaded stuff, but I don't want to buy an external hard drive for this piece of crap, it's a small net book, I bought it as a primary device to get used to all the technical stuff, I'm 3/4 ways there, I just need to know about the best storage you could have and the speediest processors (I want a comp to last me 12 years not 2 1/2),
fed up with this now, at christmas 2010 I accidently spilled my full glass of wine over the keyboard and the majority of the keys didn't work so I made the best of a bad situation, I purchased a keyboard first then a monitor when I could afford it I have a configured tower bookmarked, but I don't know much in terms of space and how much space is appropriate in hard drives and processors because of automatic updates on almost everything

 

[Silencio]

I have 100Mbps connection so it should be fast enough, I've deleted a heap of downloaded stuff, but I don't want to buy an external hard drive for this piece of crap, it's a small net book, I bought it as a primary device to get used to all the technical stuff, I'm 3/4 ways there, I just need to know about the best storage you could have and the speediest processors (I want a comp to last me 12 years not 2 1/2),
fed up with this now, at christmas 2010 I accidently spilled my full glass of wine over the keyboard and the majority of the keys didn't work so I made the best of a bad situation, I purchased a keyboard first then a monitor when I could afford it I have a configured tower bookmarked, but I don't know much in terms of space and how much space is appropriate in hard drives and processors because of automatic updates on almost everything

Yeah laptops/netbooks suck..
Got these hard disks out of a best buy guide..
If you want something really good but don't mind spending a few extra buck go for a Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001, 2TB
A little cheaper, great price for quality go for a Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX, 500GB

And processor:
Intel Core i5 2500K Boxed
or a little cheaper Intel Core i5 2400

 

[Mousey]

Netbooks are good for what they're good for... dropping into my purse so I can read an ebook or check emails while sitting in doc's offices with the hubby. And that's about it. They're not the swiftest things in the world on the 'net.

I like to buy as much power as I can, then tend to hang onto computers for 5 years or more. This one is dual core and I'm itching for a new speedier one.

My opinion only... for now and future, look at core i5 (intel) processor, or... if you've got the money, go for 2nd generation i7 processor (there were problems with first gen i7s, iirc). RAM... loads of RAM... I'm a firm believer in more the merrier. For win7 64 bit, I'd think minimum would be 4 gig RAM.... 16gig would be better. 7200rpm hard drive -- 1 TB hard drive should be plenty enough storage unless you're into downloading movies, scrap kits or other big (500mb+) files. Make sure your power supply is big enough. And how big it should be depends on the rest of the computer... usually 400w and up is what I'm seeing in systems these days. If you're into graphics proggies like Photo Shop or Paint Shop Pro, take a look at a computer with a graphics card rather than integrated (built onto the motherboard) graphics. Read your specs. I like to have empty slots -- that allows for adding cards (and upgrading some things) in future.

 

[immortality]

Yeah laptops/netbooks suck..
Got these hard disks out of a best buy guide..
If you want something really good but don't mind spending a few extra buck go for a Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001, 2TB
A little cheaper, great price for quality go for a Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX, 500GB

And processor:
Intel Core i5 2500K Boxed
or a little cheaper Intel Core i5 2400

Gonna see if they are within my price range, but I've got the feeling the Barracuda one is well out of reach, pc specialist is the place I'm considering purchasing from, they configure the tower for you (don't need a package, just the tower, need a guide on the smoothest and fastest, or reasonably fast hard driver and processor) I know I'll have to purchase everything else that comes along with the processor and hard drive to build my tower, it's just I'm lost when you go above 4 megabytes lol don't know what is the best space or most reasonable space required for fast pc connections, without having to continually delete stuff from the hard drive, if you get my gist, I'm trying to configure or 'build' my tower

 

[immortality]

Netbooks are good for what they're good for... dropping into my purse so I can read an ebook or check emails while sitting in doc's offices with the hubby. And that's about it. They're not the swiftest things in the world on the 'net.

I like to buy as much power as I can, then tend to hang onto computers for 5 years or more. This one is dual core and I'm itching for a new speedier one.

My opinion only... for now and future, look at core i5 (intel) processor, or... if you've got the money, go for 2nd generation i7 processor (there were problems with first gen i7s, iirc). RAM... loads of RAM... I'm a firm believer in more the merrier. For win7 64 bit, I'd think minimum would be 4 gig RAM.... 16gig would be better. 7200rpm hard drive -- 1 TB hard drive should be plenty enough storage unless you're into downloading movies, scrap kits or other big (500mb+) files. Make sure your power supply is big enough. And how big it should be depends on the rest of the computer... usually 400w and up is what I'm seeing in systems these days. If you're into graphics proggies like Photo Shop or Paint Shop Pro, take a look at a computer with a graphics card rather than integrated (built onto the motherboard) graphics. Read your specs. I like to have empty slots -- that allows for adding cards (and upgrading some things) in future.

Thank you Mousey that was really insightful and what I was looking to hear, now I know what gig to go for and I can pay it off as I don't have the money, so a monthly payment plan is the way forward, onward and upward to more revs in my computing engine
8 gig win7, perfect for me, I have clearly understood what you have said, my brother has explained that I could get a good computer built, he has more knowledge than me about this kind of stuff, though he just said stuff randomly and didn't explain to me what you have just done in one paragraph Mousey so thanks again

 

[Perc]

Well it sounds like you're on the right track looking at new computers, I just had to add that hard drive speed doesn't make a huge difference, especially when it comes to browsing.

Large programs and large games will load faster with a solid state drive, along with Windows booting faster, but after the program is running it's pretty much all RAM and CPU.

You'd be better off just getting a 1TB (7200 RPM), I recommend Western Digital, for less than you would spend on a small solid state drive.

I build my own PCs for gaming, so I go all out on the video card. While you don't need a super powerful one for browsing and watching videos, I'd still recommend getting a decent one (I prefer nVidia).

Also, always go with more power than you would need with the power supply, and don't buy a cheap one (Enermax is good quality). If you get an i5 or i7 CPU, 8-16GB of RAM, and a decent video card, I wouldn't go less than 700W.

Like Mousey, I like to go all out and have the computer last for a long time. I recently built this PC: i7 3.4GHz CPU, 16GB of RAM, GTX590 video card, and 920W power supply. It kicks ass but it was expensive.

 

[immortality]

Well it sounds like you're on the right track looking at new computers, I just had to add that hard drive speed doesn't make a huge difference, especially when it comes to browsing.

Large programs and large games will load faster with a solid state drive, along with Windows booting faster, but after the program is running it's pretty much all RAM and CPU.

You'd be better off just getting a 1TB (7200 RPM), I recommend Western Digital, for less than you would spend on a small solid state drive.

I build my own PCs for gaming, so I go all out on the video card. While you don't need a super powerful one for browsing and watching videos, I'd still recommend getting a decent one (I prefer nVidia).

Also, always go with more power than you would need with the power supply, and don't buy a cheap one (Enermax is good quality). If you get an i5 or i7 CPU, 8-16GB of RAM, and a decent video card, I wouldn't go less than 700W.

Like Mousey, I like to go all out and have the computer last for a long time. I recently built this PC: i7 3.4GHz CPU, 16GB of RAM, GTX590 video card, and 920W power supply. It kicks ass but it was expensive.

Okay I guess a 700w one it is, thanks perc for your input, you seem to know your stuff about building a lasting pc, which is what I'm looking for (more value in the long run the more spent) Cheers

 

[mattsgame]

I have a new ASUS Zenbook, the hard drive is solid state, the data transfer is out of this word compared to magnetic platter hardrives, as well it is razer thin. 26 seconds to do a full boot up.

SSD's are great I use one to just hold windows and then 2tb hdd's for storag.

Netbooks are good for what they're good for... dropping into my purse so I can read an ebook or check emails while sitting in doc's offices with the hubby. And that's about it. They're not the swiftest things in the world on the 'net.

I like to buy as much power as I can, then tend to hang onto computers for 5 years or more. This one is dual core and I'm itching for a new speedier one.

My opinion only... for now and future, look at core i5 (intel) processor, or... if you've got the money, go for 2nd generation i7 processor (there were problems with first gen i7s, iirc). RAM... loads of RAM... I'm a firm believer in more the merrier. For win7 64 bit, I'd think minimum would be 4 gig RAM.... 16gig would be better. 7200rpm hard drive -- 1 TB hard drive should be plenty enough storage unless you're into downloading movies, scrap kits or other big (500mb+) files. Make sure your power supply is big enough. And how big it should be depends on the rest of the computer... usually 400w and up is what I'm seeing in systems these days. If you're into graphics proggies like Photo Shop or Paint Shop Pro, take a look at a computer with a graphics card rather than integrated (built onto the motherboard) graphics. Read your specs. I like to have empty slots -- that allows for adding cards (and upgrading some things) in future.

Great Advice.

You'd be better off just getting a 1TB (7200 RPM), I recommend Western Digital, for less than you would spend on a small solid state drive.

I agree but as a gamer im surprised your not using and SSD drive to load everything

I build my own PCs for gaming, so I go all out on the video card. While you don't need a super powerful one for browsing and watching videos, I'd still recommend getting a decent one (I prefer nVidia).

Also, always go with more power than you would need with the power supply, and don't buy a cheap one (Enermax is good quality). If you get an i5 or i7 CPU, 8-16GB of RAM, and a decent video card, I wouldn't go less than 700W.

Completely agree, gfx cards these days are hungry for more power!

Like Mousey, I like to go all out and have the computer last for a long time. I recently built this PC: i7 3.4GHz CPU, 16GB of RAM, GTX590 video card, and 920W power supply. It kicks ass but it was expensive.

Very nice mate, do you overclock that beast at all?

It all depends what you want your computer to do OP. But as Mousey, Perc and co have pointed out you cannot go wrong with at least an i5.

I recently upgraded my brothers computer for him, he is a gamer like myself and wanted something a bit more powerful, he did not want to spend a lot of $$ but i convinced him its worth the extra few $$ to make sure its future proof.

I ended up getting him and putting together an I5 build which consisted of:

ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional Motherboard - $200

3rd Generation Intel Core i5 3550 Processor - $216

G.Skill Ares F3-1866C9D-8GAB 8GB DDR3 1866MHz (2x4GB) - $78

Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB SATA3 7200rpm 64MB - $99 (he already had a 2tb storage drive)

Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply HCG-620 -$118

He already had a decent Graphics Card, but for yourself anything from a ASUS GeForce GTX550 upwards should do - $98

So for around $800AUD he has a way better set up than he was originally going to go for and is happy he spent the extra $$.

cheers

Matt

 

[maxd]

Just wanted to say great thread guys! Lots of good info here and a few ideas I'll be looking into for improving my own system.

 

[immortality]

$800 Matt, that's pretty reasonable, my TV cost was £800 lol, I'd watch my monitor more often

 

[skiny]

Those SSDs are pretty amazing. My son just paid about 500 bucks for one. I'm jealous. I'll wait until they come down in price a bit.

I need a 6 core processor which means motherboard and new ram. The rest of my system is fine. This dual core is killing me, especially when I start running 3ds Max. It just bogs down.

I keep saying I'm going to upgrade but I haven't done it yet. 'Course I usually say I'm going to shave about 5 times before I actually do it. Procrastination has become an art form.

I didn't see anyone mention AMD cpus though. I've been running AMD for years. I think my last Intel cpu was a Pentium 3. I haven't really kept up with the price and performance. It used to be AMD was way cheaper and just as fast or faster. Is this still the case?

Anyway, 6 core processor, 1 gig video card, at least 8 gig ram, Dual monitors, 1tb hard drive with 1tb external back up and a new Pez dispenser. That's all I need really.... I'd like a big SSD though.

Do yourself a favour and back everything important up externally. 2 years ago after diligently backing up all my files on an internal drive my power supply went wrangy and fried itself taking out both hard drives at once in the process.

 

[Mousey]

Those SSDs are pretty amazing. My son just paid about 500 bucks for one. I'm jealous. I'll wait until they come down in price a bit.

I need a 6 core processor which means motherboard and new ram. The rest of my system is fine. This dual core is killing me, especially when I start running 3ds Max. It just bogs down.

I keep saying I'm going to upgrade but I haven't done it yet. 'Course I usually say I'm going to shave about 5 times before I actually do it. Procrastination has become an art form.

I didn't see anyone mention AMD cpus though. I've been running AMD for years. I think my last Intel cpu was a Pentium 3. I haven't really kept up with the price and performance. It used to be AMD was way cheaper and just as fast or faster. Is this still the case?

Anyway, 6 core processor, 1 gig video card, at least 8 gig ram, Dual monitors, 1tb hard drive with 1tb external back up and a new Pez dispenser. That's all I need really.... I'd like a big SSD though.

Do yourself a favour and back everything important up externally. 2 years ago after diligently backing up all my files on an internal drive my power supply went wrangy and fried itself taking out both hard drives at once in the process.

You know, you're right... and I have absolutely nothing against AMD chips. My laptop has an AMD of some sort, and it's quite fast. My problem is, I can never remember the AMD chip names for which series... A 6 core AMD equivalent to the intel would probably be less expensive with just as much processing power.

All this talk of upgrades and new computers... I've got to get one before win8 is installed on everything sold.... I think I can handle win7 better than win8 (for a desktop). LOL

 

[skiny]

I have windows 7.

Just remember the every second Microsoft OS rule - Microsoft will release a piece of crap every second OS.

Win95 Crap.
Win98 good.
Win ME. Crap.
Winxp. good.
Win Vista. Crap.
Win7. good.

Knowing this, I was smart enough to ignore Vista and upgrade from xp to win7.

 

[Mousey]

I have windows 7.

Just remember the every second Microsoft OS rule - Microsoft will release a piece of crap every second OS.

Win95 Crap.
Win98 good.
Win ME. Crap.
Winxp. good.
Win Vista. Crap.
Win7. good.

Knowing this, I was smart enough to ignore Vista and upgrade from xp to win7.

Oh gawd... win95 was such a piece of garbage.... win98 was a relief... never touched ME... XP was solid. Hubby still won't let go of his. LOL ... I'm using Vista on my desktop and the work computers. Took a year or so and a service pack or two and they're ok now. LOL Win7 64 bit on my laptop, and I think I'll like it once I learn my way around in it. Had that laptop 2 years and don't use it enough to familiarize myself with it. LOL

 

[skiny]

Personally I think they just release a new OS and then let people pay to be guinea pigs. After a few years of us telling them what doesn't work they re-release it as a good OS. Then they start over.

That would explain the every second OS rule.

 

[Perc]

I agree but as a gamer im surprised your not using an SSD drive to load everything

I actually do have a small SSD for games and Windows, and a 2TB drive for data and programs.

Very nice mate, do you overclock that beast at all?

Not yet. I'm playing BF3 on ultra settings @ 1900x1200 with good framerates (haven't seen it drop below 50fps) so I figured I'd just run everything stock for now.

 

[mattsgame]

I actually do have a small SSD for games and Windows, and a 2TB drive for data and programs.



Not yet. I'm playing BF3 on ultra settings @ 1900x1200 with good framerates (haven't seen it drop below 50fps) so I figured I'd just run everything stock for now.

I dunno why but I did not like BF3 as much as BF2 Bad Company, still playing Bad Company daily.

 

[vinylweatherman]

I actually do have a small SSD for games and Windows, and a 2TB drive for data and programs.



Not yet. I'm playing BF3 on ultra settings @ 1900x1200 with good framerates (haven't seen it drop below 50fps) so I figured I'd just run everything stock for now.

I don't feel an SSD would be suitable for anyone here who plays Microgaming. The software would ignore the "Program Files" folder, and install itself onto the SSD. The REAL problem however, is the 10Gig+ cache, which consists of tens of thousands of mostly tiny files, and is in a constant state of change. As well as causing fragmentation, it will produce many write actions, which is not ideal for any SSD.

SSDs are good for things like the OS which change slowly, and maybe for some commonly used programs that don't repeatedly update themselves.

Hopefully, SSD development will find a way to make them more tolerant of frequent write actions, or at least bring the price down low enough that replacing a worn out one is no more costly than replacing knackered hard drives.

 

[skiny]

I don't feel an SSD would be suitable for anyone here who plays Microgaming. The software would ignore the "Program Files" folder, and install itself onto the SSD. The REAL problem however, is the 10Gig+ cache, which consists of tens of thousands of mostly tiny files, and is in a constant state of change. As well as causing fragmentation, it will produce many write actions, which is not ideal for any SSD.

SSDs are good for things like the OS which change slowly, and maybe for some commonly used programs that don't repeatedly update themselves.

Hopefully, SSD development will find a way to make them more tolerant of frequent write actions, or at least bring the price down low enough that replacing a worn out one is no more costly than replacing knackered hard drives.

How do they get worn out? There's no moving parts.

I still want one.... A really big one.

 

[GrandMaster]

How do they get worn out? There's no moving parts.

The electrons get tired after a while.