NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Notebooks - General › XPS Spindle question...
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

XPS Spindle question...

post #1 of 36
3/12/04 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 
Hi I'm sorry for the amateurish question, but I can't find the information anywhere on the forum or on Dell. The posts I've read here have led me to believe that the Inspiron XPS is a 3-spindle machine. Is this correct? If so, does that mean I can come up with a configuration that will allow me to use two IDE hdd's and one optical drive?

Competition like the Sager 8890 can carry as many as two hdd and one optical drive... with a RAID configuration to boot. I'm not interested so much in the RAID, but would like my laptop to have two drives running in it, one for system files, and one for documents. Is this possible on the Inspiron XPS?

I'm planning to buy myself an XPS in the next month or so, but this is a big issue for me and I'd like my future laptop to be able to at least support two hdds. The same configuration on my desktop saved me when my primary hdd failed recently... at least all my important files were safely stored in my secondary storage.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 36
3/12/04 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by timsolo
Hi I'm sorry for the amateurish question, but I can't find the information anywhere on the forum or on Dell. The posts I've read here have led me to believe that the Inspiron XPS is a 3-spindle machine. Is this correct? If so, does that mean I can come up with a configuration that will allow me to use two IDE hdd's and one optical drive?

Competition like the Sager 8890 can carry as many as two hdd and one optical drive... with a RAID configuration to boot. I'm not interested so much in the RAID, but would like my laptop to have two drives running in it, one for system files, and one for documents. Is this possible on the Inspiron XPS?

I'm planning to buy myself an XPS in the next month or so, but this is a big issue for me and I'd like my future laptop to be able to at least support two hdds. The same configuration on my desktop saved me when my primary hdd failed recently... at least all my important files were safely stored in my secondary storage.
No, Dell XPS/9100 is 2. Sager is the only decent one I know of that offers three. Dell does not offer RAID on the XPS/9100. Sager and Voodoo offer RAID but Voodoo is really high in price. If you look at Sager, check www.pctorque.com, they are cheaper and they run this forum. The main disadvantage to a 3 spindle system is the weight, you will notice that in the specs. Another option is a USB 2/Firewire external drive to accomodate the needs you specified. I set mine up this way prior to sending back the XPS and it was adequate and almost as fast as 2 HDD.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 36
3/12/04 at 11:23pm
BTW, if the town drunk Microsoft logs on (which I know he will for this topic), and gives you advice, ignore what he has to say. You would be better off going to the nearest street corner and finding the smelliest urine soaked vagrant for advice.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 36
3/12/04 at 11:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LurkingJayhawk
BTW, if the town drunk Microsoft logs on (which I know he will for this topic), and gives you advice, ignore what he has to say. You would be better off going to the nearest street corner and finding the smelliest urine soaked vagrant for advice.
ROFLMFAO!!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 36
3/13/04 at 1:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AV8ing
ROFLMFAO!!!!!
Good to see some people agree, I thought this might head him (Microsoft) off at the pass.

Gotta have a sense of humor in this game. Respond too him before he responds too you.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 36
3/13/04 at 2:31am
ROFLMFAO!!!!! cant stop it!!!!!! ROFLMFAO!!!!!
how couldnt we agree, he is like a answer machine doesn't know anything else than ask for a 3 spindle system form Dell.

ROFLMFAO!!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 36
3/13/04 at 3:27am
I know this might offend timsolo (sorry if it does dude but this "Microsoft" guy has been giving the forum a hard time), could timsolo be an alias of Microsoft.

I smell a rat...
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 36
3/13/04 at 3:41am
Thread Starter 
No, *lol* I'm not this Microsoft guy... I knew it was probably 2-spindle because Dell didn't mention really mention a 2nd hdd option in any of the specs. I guess I'll have to partition an 80 gig 5400rpm, so that I have my system files separate from my documents. And then just keep video editing source files on an external firewire drive... probably a regular hdd in an external enclosure.

Hmm... I really do need the hdd at 80gig, but the only available option seems to be the hitachi 5400rpm... I guess the lower speed does take a bit of a performance hit compared to a 7200... Must look for suitable larger hd drives...

Have any of you tried some video editing with the XPS? I know it's currently having it's 3d issues, but this generally shouldn't affect video rendering performance in Premiere or AfterEffects. I'm wondering if a Firewire external enclosure solution will work for that need...
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 36
3/13/04 at 4:01am
lurkingjayhawk: (re: usoft) wow, you've really let your situation get you upset!

timsolo: firewire works fine for external storage of video files. keep in mind that firewire is slower than the drive heads, but faster than the seek times. If you are looking to do video editiing, i would opt for the faster drive and as much memory as you can afford. Video rendering is compute intensive.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 36
3/13/04 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
thanks for the tip, jwf.... Do you advise that when I edit, I put my source files on the local hard drive of the laptop, or is it ok to just keep the source files on the external firewire and make my local internal hdd the scratch disk/temp drive? I'll definitely try to get the drives... Thanks again!!!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 36
3/13/04 at 3:20pm
you want the program and all relevant files on the main drive as that is where all the paging will be. That is why you want as fast a main drive as possible. Depending on which editing program you use will determine how advantagious main memory will be. A decent program will take advantage of lots of main memory to keep paging to a minimum (main memory is is at least three orders of magnitude faster than disk memory), there fore stuffing your systgem with lots of memory may make your system much faster.

The external drive is used for storage of your files; not scratch disk. Again, you want as fast as possible for temp files creagted during rendering. i don't knwo what type of firewire is used here, but firewire typically is 800mhz while read heads are on the order of 5-10mhz. so fiewire is quitre fast, but it will cause some latency not there with a direct disk tied to your I/O channel.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 36
3/13/04 at 3:26pm
Since I can boot from USB Flash drive, I really don't miss having a CD/DVD drive installed permanently. In my D800, I have two 60 GB drives installed. I will plug the D-Bay DVD drive in when I want to watch a movie or burn a CD. Not leaving it installed saves the wear and tear on the drives moving parts from every time I boot. This should prolong the longevity of my DVD drive. I'll boot from USB Flash drive in order to ghost from drive to drive or drive to my external firewire drive. I don't miss the 3-spindle design of the I8x00 series at all.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 36
3/13/04 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwf
lurkingjayhawk: (re: usoft) wow, you've really let your situation get you upset!
???
You lost me??? The mention of microsoft in the letter is regarding a whiny little brat that goes by the name "Microsoft" on the forum, he pretty much trolls around and wreaks havoc, all he can talk about is how dell sucks because they don't have a 3 spindle system like sager. Not related in any way to my situation with dell.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 36
3/13/04 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by timsolo
thanks for the tip, jwf.... Do you advise that when I edit, I put my source files on the local hard drive of the laptop, or is it ok to just keep the source files on the external firewire and make my local internal hdd the scratch disk/temp drive? I'll definitely try to get the drives... Thanks again!!!
What jwf mention in regards to this makes perfect sense too me, and was what I intended to thoroughly test. Unfortunately, I only had a few days to test this out before all heck broke lose and I boxed up my system for return. Definately not enough time to assure the way I did it is the best way. It did seem fairly fast in the short time I did this.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 36
3/13/04 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LurkingJayhawk
???
You lost me??? The mention of microsoft in the letter is regarding a whiny little brat that goes by the name "Microsoft" on the forum, he pretty much trolls around and wreaks havoc, all he can talk about is how dell sucks because they don't have a 3 spindle system like sager. Not related in any way to my situation with dell.

I realize that, I was jus giving you a hard time. Which, in the light of things, is probably not something you need more of right now. so I apologize.

I will say, though, that as ragards these types of forums, this seems to be the most adult forum i've been on recently. most are loaded with those types of brats you were describing.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 36
3/13/04 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwf
I realize that, I was jus giving you a hard time. Which, in the light of things, is probably not something you need more of right now. so I apologize.

I will say, though, that as ragards these types of forums, this seems to be the most adult forum i've been on recently. most are loaded with those types of brats you were describing.
Not a problem at all, as I said before you have to maintain a sense of humor no matter what the circumstances. I just thought maybe my comments were taken the wrong way. Specifically on circumstances like what I've had with dell, having a sense of humor can make an otherwise bad situation somewhat funny in a challenging kind of way. I know I will have a bit of fun come Monday morning. It's great when you know you have nothing to lose. Absolutely no need to apologize.

I also agree that most forums are worse with trolls. That is the main reason this is the first forum I've ever made an effort to post on, I usually only speak to or refer to trolls when I want to have some fun.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 36
3/13/04 at 10:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LurkingJayhawk
BTW, if the town drunk Microsoft logs on (which I know he will for this topic), and gives you advice, ignore what he has to say. You would be better off going to the nearest street corner and finding the smelliest urine soaked vagrant for advice.

well i didnt blow my money of a piece of crap. so hahahahahahaha to ou

what a wanker.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 36
3/13/04 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LurkingJayhawk
???
You lost me??? The mention of microsoft in the letter is regarding a whiny little brat that goes by the name "Microsoft" on the forum, he pretty much trolls around and wreaks havoc, all he can talk about is how dell sucks because they don't have a 3 spindle system like sager. Not related in any way to my situation with dell.

you sound like a bitty little boy whos mommy let ya get a rash in your pampers.

and they do sorta like you
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 36
3/13/04 at 10:50pm

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwf
I will say, though, that as ragards these types of forums, this seems to be the most adult forum i've been on recently. most are loaded with those types of brats you were describing.
well, here is one!!!
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 36
3/14/04 at 12:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shuzz



well, here is one!!!
And to think, I don't even need to respond, since I already made the only response required. He proves my point for me just by opening his mouth. Kinda like a battle of wits and he came unarmed
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dell Notebooks - General
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Notebooks - General › XPS Spindle question...