Question for anyone with computer knowledge (internal hard drive)

[Syn]

A computer has a 120GB Serial ATA Hard Drive that I am going to get in a trade later today.

What is a Serial ATA Hard Drive, and where can I get them?

I want to make this computer my little project, but don't know where to start on the hard drive. I could probably figure out the Ram myself.. but otherwise..


By the way, it's a dell.

 

[THECHAMMAN]

its an updated faster version of the ATA hard drive, it preforms the same tasks, but using a high speed serial cable. basically, they're faster, and better.

 

[Syn]

Hmm, well, does this mean the computer will only take ATAs? I prefer SATA..

Are these ATA? Which do I use? The 133 or 100?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N=2010150014 1035907789&name=IDE Ultra ATA100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N=2010150014 1035907788&name=IDE Ultra ATA133

 

[THECHAMMAN]

the computer has a SATA, OR Serial ATA drive, it uses SATA.

 

[Syn]

D'oh! That's what I originally thought but I figured I'd better be safe than sorry..
But that is such a relief, there are so many more SATA drives I can get than the other drive that I can't think of at the moment.

Now I feel like an idiot, hehe. Then again, it's been quite a while since I've worked on computer. It would be nice to do it again!

 

[THECHAMMAN]

you probably only need a 160gig, unless you are doing some serious work on that computer, but the abosolute most you would need is about 250gig, but the RAM (random access memory) is what makes your computer fast, my laptop has 6gigs of ram, and its fast as lightening, but if your a big gamer, the more the merrier. also to make videos run better, you can get a new video card, and many more things.

 

[Syn]

Yeah I plan on upgrading a lot of stuff on this computer.
I used to do gaming and I will be using this for watching videos for sure.

Thanks!

 

[rmhawk]

Windows 7 FTW!

 

[Syn]

"Windows 7 is on its way to manufacturers, and will be available on October 22."

tsk tsk tsk.

Also, what does that have to do with my thread?

 

[jake01]

Windows 7 FTW!

agreed.

btw Syn the 'S' in SATA stands for serial. When all else fails, google.

my system is for pc gaming, especially flight and combat sims. built it 2 years ago (minus the video card, which i upgraded to recently).

You don't need to upgrade your video card if ur just watching movies. The only reason you would want to upgrade your VGA (video card) is for a better gaming experience, professional photo/video editing, or for dual monitor support.

system:

Intel Q6600 @ 2.7-3.2 ghz (EIST enabled overclock)
6 GB DDR2 800 Corsair XMS series
Nvidia GTX 295
Seagate 750 GB HD
Windows 7 64 bit RC

 

[Syn]

btw Syn the 'S' in SATA stands for serial. When all else fails, google.

NO WAY!

the computer has a SATA, OR Serial ATA drive, it uses SATA.

And yes, I plan on using dual monitors and doing some gaming here and there.

 

[jake01]

Fine, I'll edit my post to just

UTFSE

I also only read ur original post, the first response, and the windows 7 comment .

 

[Syn]

Might as well post that in every thread then!

I prefer to only use searches when it's something that doesn't involve me using money or reptiles.
I also prefer to get actual information from people with experience than trusting some website that gets an godly amount of hits for useless/wrong information..

 

[rmhawk]

RC is available for free from Microsoft website and is good until June 2010. I have been using it for months. You said you were making a project, and i was just suggesting a good operating system.

"Windows 7 is on its way to manufacturers, and will be available on October 22."

tsk tsk tsk.

Also, what does that have to do with my thread?

 

[yoza717]

my laptop has 6gigs of ram, and its fast as lightening, but if your a big gamer, the more the merrier.

4 gigs is the limit of memory you can use on the standard 32 bit O/S's. So I would definitely suggest getting a 64 bit Vista, or Linux operating system if you want to use more than 4 gigs of memory.

I use a 64 bit Ubuntu Linux distro for my Host Operating system and use Virtual Box to run XP, Vista and Windows 7 when I have to (for Photoshop and Lightroom).
Here is a screen shot of my Desktop it is wide because I use a dual screen Video card ....

 

[Syn]

Yoza, thanks. Looks great! I was planning on getting Windows 7 when it came out, 64 bit isn't really something I like (due to not really working with several programs I use).