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Thread ID: 73892 2006-11-04 23:17:00 Queries about a new hard drive. Tanjiro (11391) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
496434 2006-11-04 23:17:00 I am thinking of purchasing a new 500GB hard drive, as my computer's capacity isn't where I want it to be. But there are a few things I am unsure about.

1) Will I encounter any compatibility issues? Can I be sure that my computer will work with the new drive.
2) Will having 500GB more capacity improve the computer's performance?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Tanjiro (11391)
496435 2006-11-04 23:30:00 If you're using XP, 2000 or higher, and format it in NTFS, it shouldnt be a prob.

But it maybe a good idea to partition it as well.

Dont know if it'll increase performance, it may depend on how fast your system is.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
496436 2006-11-04 23:30:00 I am thinking of purchasing a new 500GB hard drive, as my computer's capacity isn't where I want it to be. But there are a few things I am unsure about.

1) Will I encounter any compatibility issues? Can I be sure that my computer will work with the new drive.
2) Will having 500GB more capacity improve the computer's performance?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

1) Maybe , would need to know a lot more info about your PC ie. MB, etc. you maybe running 98 on an 8 yr old PC as far as we know.

2) Nope, it will give u more storage.
snoopy (74)
496437 2006-11-04 23:52:00 Ok, well I'm running XP Professional, 2002 Version. My computer is an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.83GHz, 448MB RAM.

It's just that I can't run games like Half Life 2 on this computer, whereas on a similar computer, just with a lot more capacity, it runs fine. So, getting more capacity won't improve this?
Tanjiro (11391)
496438 2006-11-04 23:56:00 Depends what the specs are for Half life.

You may need a faster CPU or more ram as well.

But I doubt any hdd will give u better performance. It just gives u more space, so u can install more games / programs.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
496439 2006-11-05 00:03:00 Ok, well I'm running XP Professional, 2002 Version. My computer is an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.83GHz, 448MB RAM.

It's just that I can't run games like Half Life 2 on this computer, whereas on a similar computer, just with a lot more capacity, it runs fine. So, getting more capacity won't improve this?
Judging by your unusual quantity of memory im guessing youve got onboard/intergrated video? With the exception of a few ATI and nVidia chipset intergrated video is very limited in what it can do. Chances are the similarly specs PC your refering to has a dedicated video card.

If you were to install your OS on the new harddrive it may offer a very small performance increase, but not enough to allow you to play HL2. It really depends on the specs of your existing harddrive as to whether you'd even see the small increase in performance.

If you provide more infomation about your PC we can reckonmend better ways to spend your money.
Pete O'Neil (6584)
496440 2006-11-05 00:08:00 Depends what the specs are for Half life.

You may need a faster CPU or more ram as well.

But I doubt any hdd will give u better performance. It just gives u more space, so u can install more games / programs.

The RAM & CPU are OK - I play half life 2 on a 2000+ with 512mb RAM.

What you need is a video card. An ATI radeon 9600 would suit your needs.
Greven (91)
496441 2006-11-05 03:29:00 What you need is a video card. An ATI radeon 9600 would suit your needs.

A 9600?! If he's going to get a decent graphics card he might as well do it properly and get a DECENT one.
pctek (84)
496442 2006-11-05 04:16:00 it's extremely doubtful that a bigger hdd would improve the performance to the extent that it'll 'game' better..........theres only a couple of ways a new hdd will improve performance.....

1 if the new hdd is a faster drive ......if the old drive is a 5400rpm drive and the new drive is a 7200 or 10,000 then it'll pick up the data faster and so you will see a performance improvement........

2 if the the new drive has a larger onboard cache for example an 8mb instead of a 2mb....
drcspy (146)
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