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Old 09-09-2003, 10:40 AM   #1
Kramer
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Whats the difference between ATA-5 and ATA6?


Im thinking of upgrading my hard drive on my laptop to give Linux some more room, since its only got a 20 gig in here now. The one I want to buy is an ATA-6 interface, while the one I have is an ATA-5. Whats the difference?
 
Old 09-09-2003, 12:10 PM   #2
carlywarly
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The short answer is........... very little.
ATA 5 = UDMA 100
ATA 6 = UDMA 133
Theoretically, 6 has a max burst rate of 133 meg/sec as opposed to a mere 100 meg/sec for ATA 5. However, in reality they behave almost identically - I have a 133 drive on my gigabyte mobo and it's just the same speed as a UDMA 100 one, even though the board is capable of using 133 - not all boards are.

So, to sum up.....even if your laptop is UDMA 133 enabled, you will probably notice no difference between UDMA 5 and 6 drives, so choose your drive using other criteria.
 
Old 09-09-2003, 12:22 PM   #3
Kramer
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Cool, the bigger the better then
 
Old 09-09-2003, 01:38 PM   #4
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just remember to try and grab the highest rpm drives availible. on laptops i know they range from 5400 rpm to some 7200 rpm drives. Typically it depends on if the laptop has a 9.5 mm drive or a 12 mm drive. While ata speed may not affect the overall performance of the hdd, the rpm of the drive most certainly will.
 
Old 09-09-2003, 02:12 PM   #5
Kramer
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Most of them are 4200-5400 rpm's. I havent seen any 7200's
 
Old 09-09-2003, 02:34 PM   #6
dav1x
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60GB - 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Drive [add $159 or $5/month1]

Thats one from Dell
 
Old 09-09-2003, 02:42 PM   #7
Kramer
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I have a Compaq, and I know the Toshiba Im looking at will work, and its 5400, which will be some improvement over the 4200 rpm I have now
 
  


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