8mb vs 2mb cache on 80gig drive?

[xWeston]

Is it worth the $25 extra to get 8mb cache over 2mb? I dont even know if it would affect the performance that much for me.... What are situations in which this might help? A lot of smaller bursts?

Give me your opinion and whether or not it is worth it.

Thanks

 

[xWeston]

bump

Anyone?

 

[thorin]

Are you talking WD or Maxtor.

I can't speak for Maxtor but even putting the performance benefits aside getting the WD w/ 8MB Cache gives you a 3yr warranty not a 1yr (like their 2mb cache'd drives) which IMHO is worth $25.

Thorin

 

[AluminumStudios]

I'm going to give the generic non-comittal answer: It depends on your usage patterns.

If you access large files, or consectutive files, or keep reading from the same files over and over, then yes, you'll probably feel the benefits. LIkewise if you read from the disk the same time you write to it you'll probably experience a benefit.

I edit video and do all of the above. If you play games or do more normal work and have random hard drive access patterns then you may not notice as much of a boost.

Several friends say they love theirs. I have one, but only use it for backup (I do my editing on a RAID) so I haven't been able to put it though it's paces yet.

I think it's worth the $25, especitally for the afore mentioned 3 year warranty.

 

[xWeston]

I already have the 80GB 2mb one in my posession so i've decided if they will take it back without a restocking fee then i will get the 120GB 8mb one. If they will charge me 15% then im just going to keep the 80GB 2mb

 

[Grid]

Go with the 8MB version! I have 2 identical system, the only difference is the HDs, on has a 2MB cache WD and one has a 8MB cache WD. The one with the 8MB cache is very noticably faster! Scores much higher benchmarks as well!

 

[xWeston]

I purchased the 120GB 8mb version

It has been 2+ years since i bought a hard drive so i figure i can splurge a little bit. Plus, it was only about $40 more than the 80gb version.