Triple Boot/Raptor 10k a Done Deal Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Triple Boot/Raptor 10k a Done Deal in the Windows Vista forums; Hi Friends: Accomplishing my triple boot (i.e., XP Pro-Ultimate/Key1-Ultimate/Key2) was a breeze. Intalled the WD Raptor 10k drive physically after going to the store for ...

[Znod]

Hi Friends:

Accomplishing my triple boot (i.e., XP Pro-Ultimate/Key1-Ultimate/Key2) was a breeze. Intalled the WD Raptor 10k drive physically after going to the store for the preferred cable (i.e., WD includes a non-standard SATA interface cable which complicates physical installation on my computer and presumably on most). Ultimate installed in 16 minutes. Along the way, I used, on my Vista/Key1 drive, WD's Data Lifeguard Tools (running the program in XP Pro compatibility mode) to format the Raptor and to prepare it for use as a non-boot drive. Then, I installed Ultimate and had no Raptor driver issues or Raptor issues in general.

My Vista Experience Index, for hard drive, moved to 5.9. My new overall index is 5.5 (with 5.9, 5.9, 5.5, 5.5, and 5.5--see snip below). I have a plan to get all my scores to 5.9--which would involve a change to two GB's of slightly overclocked RAM and a mild (I hope) overclocking of my processor. I am going to wait on the later until I have more info. In this regard, some overclock "my" Core 2 quad core processor from 2.66 to 3.36 (or was it more?). I am hoping that a move to 3.06 will do the job processor-wise.

The highest-ranking essentials, for now, are installed: Avast Home (free); Ad-Aware SE Plus; Firefox; and PassMark Performance Test. I will run some performance tests soon and post them here. I am very happy with the drive.

[Znod]

I have performance info now--as measured by the latest PassMark Performance Test Composite Index. My best score before installing my Raptor was 730.3 with an average of somewhat less. The Raptor currently is spitting out 788's pretty regularly with a best of 788.7. As above, the average is somewhat less. The performance increase on average is about 8%. As said, I am very happy with the drive.

[dazzlin]

Wow, that's a wicked system you have there. Congrats!

[Znod]

Thanks much daz. I will be working on my memory next. I forget a great deal.

[Znod]

It just keeps getting faster and faster.

[Znod]

New ones. My last 14 tests have been above 788.3. My current results are much less variable than before the Raptor. Yehaa.

[vista101]

Originally Posted by Znod

I have a plan to get all my scores to 5.9--which would involve a change to two GB's of slightly overclocked RAM and a mild (I hope) overclocking of my processor.

Hardware manufacturers thank Microsoft for adding the Vista Experience Index when they read stories like this.

[Znod]

Isn't that the truth. Actually, I now doubt that I will be able to do it. But, we'll see.