2 HDs vs 1 HD

[Bleach]

So I'm looking to build a new PC and don't know a whole lot about them. So I'm gathering info.

My question is I see a lot of people set up their PCs with 2 hard drives and want to know if there is a reason for this?
Is it faster?
Also is it worth getting a raptor WD? Or are they hard to cool?

As it sits right now I'm just planning on getting a single ~120GB HD. Would it be faster to buy 2 of them and put them in my PC?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Basic rule in computers, as far as I'm concerned. If you don't need it, don't get it. If a single hd would work, there's no reason to worry about two. And if you want to get another one later down the line, just slap it in there. No need for RAID if you don't need it.
Tas

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Bleach
So I'm looking to build a new PC and don't know a whole lot about them. So I'm gathering info.

My question is I see a lot of people set up their PCs with 2 hard drives and want to know if there is a reason for this?

Well, it lets you have more space than one hard drive.

Is it faster?

Why would it be faster? Unless you set up a RAID array or the like (and even then it's only faster in certain circumstances, which most desktop users will not be hitting).

Also is it worth getting a raptor WD? Or are they hard to cool?

If you do lots of disk-heavy operations, maybe. But if you need high STR, a RAID0 array is cheaper per GB, and if you need very low access times, 15KRPM SCSI drives are faster.

As it sits right now I'm just planning on getting a single ~120GB HD. Would it be faster to buy 2 of them and put them in my PC?

Again, why would it be faster? You'd just have 240GB of space.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

A raptor isn't worth it unless you're spending a lot on a new computer in my opinion (like $1750 +)

There are several reasons for buying more than 1 harddrive...
Some people use RAID arrays which can use 2 harddrives in different manners to boost speed or enhance data integrity. There are also RAID solutions which use more than 2 drives and have more benefits.
I wouldn't recommend a RAID array unless you have a specific reason for wanting it.

I have 6 harddrives just because I got some good deals on some and wanted more storage. (I got two 120gig drives for $3 each after rebates)

Some people will have a second drive and put the swap file for the OS on it.

Generally 1 harddrive is a good idea for most users. If you need the extra storage, sometimes it's cheaper just to get a single larger drive rather than 2 smaller ones.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Slick. As everyone else said, if you don't need two HD's, don't get em.

 

[Cheezeit]

Unless you need them, two hard drives would just generate more noise and heat.

 

[hippotautamus]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
If you do lots of disk-heavy operations, maybe. But if you need high STR, a RAID0 array is cheaper per GB, and if you need very low access times, 15KRPM SCSI drives are faster.

And 4x the price of a Raptor.

The biggest reason people opt for two drives is simple. If you run an operating system off the same HDD as you do your games or major apps, the two are competing for disk usage, so it can slow you down. However, since most applications don't take more than 800mb of ram on their own anyway, you would probably be better off investing in at least 1gb of ram (so that the entire application can be stored in the system memory). The only "hit" (used loosely for 1% slower) you will take is loading things like maps and such inside games.

So no, there's little benefit to having multiple hard drives. Even in a raid0 array, it will be so little faster that you will curse the extra money that could have gone into a better graphics card or lower latency ram (much more important).

 

[LED]

I use 2 HD's for backup reasons and turn the other on when I deem necessary...

 

[Bleach]

I forgot to mention my primary use of the PC is for gaming. But it sounds like I should just get one drive. Thanks a bunch guys!

 

[wchou]

2 harddrive make twice as much noise and consume twice as much power
better to get 1 320gb or 400gb
then 2 160 or 200