Performance: Buffer size or FW interface

[sidereal-studios]

Hello,

I'm trying to get the cheapest 250 GB drive possible for good performance. I've narrowed it down to the Maxtor OneTouch and the LaCie.

The Maxtor has a 16MB buffer, but only FW400 connection, while the LaCie has an 8MB buffer but with a FW800 connection. So my question is, which has a greater impact on performance, buffer size or FW interface type? I've done searches on this and can't seem to find an answer.

I'm running both audio and video on a dual-1.8 G5 and 002.

[sidereal-studios]

Dumb question? Little traffic on the ol 'storage subsystems' room?

At this point I'm prepared to make the assumption that the higher connection speed is more important than the buffer.

[Petander]

You´re probably right. Faster FW = better performance. Big buffer is a good thing of course but I don´t know whether it´s an issue in this case. Correct me if I´m wrong.


And here comes a word of warning (based on experience from several overheated and toasted Maxtors):


I have that "One Touch" drive. It runs very hot like all big Maxtors. Now, it has worked flawlessly for a Month or two but I know what will happen sooner or later: the tiny little fan will die , unnoticed, the drive will go. Those mini fans do not last, had the same happen to a removable drive once. When a quiet case fan stops working your drive´s bearings will burn... the last Maxtor I returned got a .30 cal hole in the middle - and the warranty WORKED.

WD time for now. I´m not bashing Maxtors,just too much bad luck during the last douple of years.


All I´ve heard about Lacie FW drives has been positive. Good luck, to save a buck in a wrong place can get very expensive.