I just bought a WD Raptor to be my primary HD. Here are my thoughts (with some questions thrown in) on how I think I should set it up (but I also used to think you could just screw a mobo directly to the backplate). I welcome everyone's thoughts. Many are familiar with my system but for those who are not here you go.
Most taxing use is Video Editing
Most common, surfing the web and emails
Also some gaming, will get more as kids get a little older
Mobo = MSI K8N Diamond Plus
CPU = AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 2000MHz HT 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core
(my God it's selling for half of what I paid for it back in May - Intel has them on the run for sure)
Installed Zalman (you know the one) fan, (with a lot of help),
PSU = Seasonic S12-600
RAM =(2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)CORSAIR XMS 2GB
GPU = Have 2 7900 GT's that I was running in SLI, thinking I'm going to drop one, due to the heat
Sound Card = Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz New to those who already know my system (Hey there was an empty slot, I had to put something there), plus the Altec Lansing speakers and sub sound great when playing BF2 or showing my homemade videos.
Lite-On and Plextor DVD, floppy 19" Dell LCD...blah blah blah
Okay for the meat of this thread
Thinking this is how I should set it up..
Since my new HD0 runs at 10K RPM vs my old WD Caviar, Partition 1 to run Windows XP Pro, 2nd partition for other frequently used programs, third partition for regularly used programs but not that often. I am assuming having my "programs" on the faster HD will help them run faster.
HD1 (Previously HD0 WD Caviar) wipe windows clean off, use partition 1 for "My Documents", and Partition 2 for programs rarely used that I just don't want to get rid of. I can run programs off the second HD can't I?
>>>>>>>>>>Side question - what is a page file, what is it used for and what are the benefits>>>>
HD2 (Previously HD1 - Old Seagate that came with my Dell about 6 years ago, want to wipe it clean and use for video storage)
HD3 = External 250 GB partion for system images and document backup, possible relatively small partition for temporary video files (used in editing)
Now a few more questions:
Is there a way to set up windows so that everything defaults to save files to the "My Documents" partition on the HD1?
Am I okay to wiping windows off of HD1 once I know for sure it is on HD0?
Can I simply drag and drop the programs I have on HD1 to where I want them on my new HD0?
And are the essential files needed on startup. I want the absolute minium (within reason, I still want AV software etc) when booting up. Some of you know how many kids I have. I don't have time to sit around long waiting on the thing to boot. I won't even mention how mad my wife gets when I'm tinkering with this thing.
Overall, I guess this "little" snowball started in May when I decided I wanted to move some old tapes onto DVD, got the software, needed more RAM, then needed more speed, then more graphics on and on and on..... Many people have helped along the way like garycase, willcomp and callandor. I could not have done this without you guys. Many others helped, too many to name. I jumped in headfirst not knowing where I was getting into. What I found was new passion. I love this. Should have gone into the profession. Too late to start now probably when I have a family to support. So before I turn EE into my personal Blog....I'll just say thanks again to everyone. This is the best site I have ever found.
By the way does anybody know how make a color laser printer quiet. Maybe I need to call the folks at Zalman and see what they can come up with.
Hope this isn't to much for one thread Cal. Let me know
Oh and one more thing.....Is there an award for asking the most questions?
I really take that "Experts compete to earn these points. Don't be stingy!" thing to heart
