[BTP]

I need to add a new HD to my aging, but well upgraded PowerTowerPro. I also have a spare and empty external firewire case (ide-firewire w/Texas Instruments chipset) and a Sonnett PCI/IDE card(ata/66).

I am considering the 40G IBM 60GXP and the 40G Maxtor DiamondMax D540X. The Maxor is a 5400RPM and the IBM is a 7200RPM.

Here is the question, the prices are similar, the Maxtor is $74 and the IBM is $99. I am considering the fact that these are ATA/100 drives and I only have a ATA/66 capacity with the SonnettPCI/IDE card. However, I will at some point move the drive to the external FW drive case and wondered it the capacity with Firewire is greater than the Sonett card's ATA/66?

My initial thoughts are that if my system cannot utilize the speed of either drive, I might as well go with the Maxtor, but I thought I'd ask others for their thoughts.

[GK]

I'd go with the IBM drive. Over at the www.2-pop.com discussion group (digital video), a number of users have had problems with their
maxtor drives and had to send them back for a replacement. I have an external IBM in a transintl firewire case, and am very happy with it (7200 rpm, 40GIG, Oxford 911).

hope that helps

[Cipher13]

The 7200 RPM makes all the difference.

ATA/66 is plenty fast enough for a HD... as is FireWire. But you will notice the difference in the two drives.

Definately take the IBM... they're all around better really... though not by much. Drives nowadays are largely the same.

[Paul S]

I also recommend the IBM. I have their 75GB 7200rpm drive and it's outstanding.

Even though the drive is ATA/100 and your bus is ATA/66 or FireWire, it won't make a difference. In terms of theoretical throughput, they rank 100MB/s, 66MB/s, and 50MB/s respectively. Actual capability of the drive is another story. Most 7200rpm drives sustain around 35MB/s and can burst up around 45MB/s, within the range of all 3 connections.

I always recommend FireWire because of the portability of it. I have FW hard drives, and will only ever buy FW anymore becuase I can move them easily between my machines, or my friends machines.

The only catch is the FW case needs to have the Oxford 911 chipset to be able to handle those speeds. Otherwise, it will only give you aroudn 12-14MB/s.

[OldManMac]

I would also go with the IBM. We've had the best luck with IBM drives, and sell both Maxtor and IBM (and only those two brands). The 7200rpm speed is also a very important consideration.