What is HDD Cache?!

[Ultimex]

Hi, so I'm planning on getting a new HDD for Xmas this year. (can't really afford any good SSD, so that qustion's out )

 

What is HDD's cache for? Does it affect performance? Does it really matter how much I have? Does it somehow scale with the size of the HDD? Is it worth the extra money for more hdd cache?

 

tons of qustions, i know. I did some research, but found many contradictory answers and it kind of just generated more new question, rather than answered the current ones...

 

I just wonder If I can get a cheaper HDD (WD Blue 1TB, 7200 rpm, 8mb cache) or It's better to go for a bit more expensive one - (everything is same, but with more cache).

 

Advises are very welcome! Help me choose, I'm on a budget so If I would gain 0 performance with more cache, I'd rather stick to the cheaper one.

 

Note: I'm running out of space, so my plan is to get a big HDD to store all my games and stuff, and have only my OS and programs installed on my current one which is WD Green 500gb, intellipower rpm (which as far as I know is somewhere between 5400 and 7200, not sure though) and 32mb cache. It works just fine, slows me down only when playing+downloading+moving data around...which is normal i guess...

[Pelop17]

Hi, so I'm planning on getting a new HDD for Xmas this year. (can't really afford any good SSD, so that qustion's out )

 

What is HDD's cache for? Does it affect performance? Does it really matter how much it is? Does it somehow scale with the size of the HDD? Is it worth the extra money for more hdd cache?

 

tons of qustions, i know. I did some research, but found many contradictory answers and it kind of just generated more new question, rather than answered the current ones...

 

I just wonder If I can get a cheaper HDD (WD Blue 1TB, 7200 rpm, 8mb cache) or It's better to go for a bit more expensive one - (everything is same, but with more cache).

 

Advises are very welcome! Help me choose, I'm on a budget so If I would gain 0 performance with more cache, I'd rather stick to the cheaper one.

basicly

 

In computer storage, disk buffer (often ambiguously called disk cache or cache buffer) is the embedded memory in a hard drive acting as a buffer between the rest of the computer and the physical hard disk platter that is used for storage.

 

also

 

The hard drive cache has absolutely no bearing on gaming.

[Ultimex]

basicly

 

In computer storage, disk buffer (often ambiguously called disk cache or cache buffer) is the embedded memory in a hard drive acting as a buffer between the rest of the computer and the physical hard disk platter that is used for storage.

 

also

 

The hard drive cache has absolutely no bearing on gaming.

 

Ty for the info, now I get it.

So I'll be just fine with the cheaper one - less cache.

[Pelop17]

Ty for the info, now I get it.

So I'll be just fine with the cheaper one - less cache.

yeah