15k RPM SAS vs 10K SATA

[DanG]

I'm looking at a new box and a couple of the new X58 boards have SAS onboard, so that got me thinking about replacing my existing 150GB raptor.

Is something like a SAS 15,000 rpm that much faster than a raptor? Or should I look at doing something with SSD?

[mas0n]

Is something like a SAS 15,000 rpm that much faster than a raptor?

Yes. A good 15K drive will run internal transfer rates of 170-180MB/s as well as have lower seek times and perform many more I/O transactions per second.

Or should I look at doing something with SSD?

Perhaps, but IMO the SSD that are worth having are still $600+ for 32GB

I went with a 300GB VelociRaptor over a 300GB 15K SAS drive for my recent drive updates and am satisfied. I have a controller that could use either and the SAS drive would have cost twice as much. However, you can find 147GB 15K SAS for ~$180 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822116058).