Part I: Performance
Part II: Capacity and Aesthetics
The Proper Balance
So, what does make the right drive for your computer? The answer depends on the all around desires for the user. With the proper system configuration and if you aren't too concerned about noise or heat, then a high performance drive might be the answer. Maybe having the largest storage space is the desire. For some it might be that they can install the drive into their computer that won't disrupt them while they work or turn the room into a furnace.
When shopping for a hard drive, here are some of the numbers that are published by the manufacturers that you should look at:
- Capacity - in gigabytes (GB)
- Rotational Speed - rotations per minute (rpm)
- Read Seek (average) – milliseconds (ms)
- Write Seek (average) – milliseconds (ms)
- Track-to-Track (average) – milliseconds (ms)
- Full Stroke (average) – milliseconds (ms)
- Idle Noise - in decibels (dBA)
- Seek Noise - in decibels (dBA)
By using all the information provided here and by the manufacturer, you should be able to determine what hard drives may be best suited for your computer.
