I would recommend the Seagate's Barracuda 7200.8 wholeheartedly! It
supports
NCQ and probably your next or next next M/b will support that - that
according to what I read will result in a 15% increase in speed.
A recent in-depth analysis by StorageReview shows that for SINGLE-USER
(read: non-server) usage, command queuing can add more overhead than it
makes up in seek performance improvements. Yes, that is correct: enabling
NCQ/TCQ on a desktop or workstation machine may very well lower performance,
not increase it.
Command queuing is, of course, extremely useful in multi-user, server
environments. The "OMG NEED NCQ AND RAID0" on the desktop craze is about as
worthwhile as a "Type R" sticker on a 4-cylinder Honda Civic.
All that being said, yes, the 7200.8 is a worthwhile drive that should be
considered. I mentioned this in my first reply to the thread. :)
Greg
