Fastest 500GB drive?

[Kayin]

I need a new drive, and while I may still drop the change for a SSD for boot, most likely this will be my all around drive (I use externals for backup, and I have a few of those) for OS and apps. Considering that's so, I was looking at the Samsung F1s, but is there a faster drive in the classification (without going to SAS?)

[Xilikon]

The WD WD6400AALS Black Edition seems to be the fastest you can get (only 2 platters). I also think there might be a new version with a 500GB single platter but I dunno what is the exact model number.

[Kayin]

That model number sounds like a short stroked 640, is it?

[Septim]

WD black series are fast... a little noisier than a samsung i think...

[Kayin]

I hate noise, but I can always do something about that.

Am I asking the right questin, or should I just really be looking for a single-platter drive?

[Baleful]

Seagate launched their 7200.12 series in Japan IIRC, this series includes a 500GB Single platter drive, it's supposed to be very fast. I've seen a few people post that these are at the Egg, but I haven't been able to find them.

[Baleful]

Here you go, newegg has em. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

I still don't know how much faster these really are though.

[Cutless009]

Re3 drive is the fastest Sata drive on the market bar none, esp in raid <3

[FrostByte]

added that 500gig to my wish list to replace my aging 150 Raptor.

[Baleful]

Re3 drive is the fastest Sata drive on the market bar none, esp in raid <3

Really? I've always just the opposite. Everyone says that the WD 640 Black edition is the fastest of the fast.

[Cutless009]

RE3 is a server class drive with dual processors and load-ramp no touch technology just like the Black Edition drives, but its optimized for raid (RE3 stands for Raid Edition 3) - I seem to remember something about a larger cache size and some other nonsense or something or other. My brain doesnt work here lately.