The latest version of the Western Digital "RAPTOR" Serial ATA Drive with 4.5 ms seek times and TCQ ( Tagged Command Queuing ) is due out in October: http://www.storagereview.com
Take a look at this before you jump and get it: http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/products/story/0,24330,3485251,00.html As I understand it, the SATAs now on the market can be compared to a straw feeding a 48" pipeline, ie, the drive still is slow as ever, but it is hooked up to a high capacity wire. The main advantage at this point is the thin wire keeps the inside of the box neater. My advice, like the Mets are doing, wait til next year. DS
Funny how the above article does not list any FACTUAL DATA to back-up their claims . . . For some hard facts, along with a statistical comparison of the "Raptor" Serial ATA Drive, check out the following article from TOMS HARDWARE: http://www17.tomshardware.com/storage/20030501/index.html