Scratch Disk Assignment

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Level 1

90 points

Scratch Disk Assignment

Hello all 🙂

How's everybody?

I recently got a response from Zipperfoot who told me that he installed another internal HD for his Scratch Disk. He also replaced his OEM system drive with a faster 10,000 RPM drive and noticed a better Render time.

Anyway, is it actually better to have an internal 2nd drive for your Scratch Disk assignment.

Or is it just as efficient to use an external Lacie firewire drive?

Thanx
Mike

Power Mac G5 Desktop (Single Processor), Mac OS X (10.4.6), 4 Gigs RAM - ATI 9800 Pro AGP - #3 Lacie 300 Gig HD's

Posted on Aug 31, 2006 7:40 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,004 points

Aug 31, 2006 7:54 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

A fast internal drive will be more efficient and give better performance than an external FW drive.

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Answer 2

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Aug 31, 2006 8:03 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom 🙂

How ya doin tonight?

Ok limme get this right:
So then it would pay for me to replace my current OEM 7200 RPM system drive with a newer 10,000 RPM drive, and install yet another internal drive for the purpose of assigning it as the Scratch drive.

And continue to use my 3 external drives for stored media that I would use in Final Cut Projects.

Yes?

Thanx Tom

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,004 points

Aug 31, 2006 8:29 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

There won't be much point in replacing the system drive with a 10000rpm drive. I'd put the new 10K drive as the second drive in the box.

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Answer 4

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Sep 1, 2006 7:48 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hey Tom

Ok I think I get it

So you say that installing a 2nd faster 10K RPM internal drive and assigning it as the 'Scratch Disk' is a good idea?

So then it's the 'Scratch Disk' that does all the RENDER work? Yes? Not the main mother drive?

Or is it the other way around?

Thanx for a clarification
I really appreciate it Tom
Mike

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,004 points

Sep 1, 2006 9:27 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

That's correct. The fast media drive is assigned as the scratch disk and for render files, which are themselves media.

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Answer 6

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Sep 1, 2006 10:04 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi again Tom

Ok then, so no need to replace my mother system drive, and have to format and re-install all my programs again.

Just get a GOOD FAST 2nd internal drive, make sure it's working ok, and go back into FCE HD and RE-ASSIGNMENT the that New internal disc drive to be the
'Scratch Disk' for FCE HD.

And doing shouldn't be a problem - correct?

Thank you Tom
Mike 🙂

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Answer 7

MartinR

Level 6

19,019 points

Sep 1, 2006 10:18 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

Hi Mike,
Yes, it's fine. People do it all the time. Just make sure you format your new drive as Mac OS Extended, preferably the entire drive as one partition (not multiple partitions). Journaled or not is your choice ... people seem split 50/50 on that matter.

If you have existing projects & media on your current drive, you could also move them to your new drive. Just be methodical about it, and understand that it will probably disconnect media from your existing projects, but you can just reconnect media when you open each project again. That, too, is not a big deal.

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Answer 8

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Sep 1, 2006 5:58 PM in response to MartinR

Hi Martin !

Haven't seen you in a while - good to see you again 🙂

Ok yes, now I'll be looking for a good 2nd internal hard drive.

Sure sounds like it's a better choice for the FCE Scratch Disk, rather than using one of my external Lacie's.

Mike 🙂

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Answer 9

SteveKir

Level 3

565 points

Sep 3, 2006 4:04 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

A slight disadvantage of going for an additional internal drive is that when you replace your computer for the next model, it may not work on that new machine, due to some change in the HD protocol or something. Or am I wrong?

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Answer 10

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Sep 3, 2006 7:27 AM in response to SteveKir

Hi Steve

How ya doin?

Thank you 🙂
Yeah, I think you might be right.

And ya know the other thing (although I've got some great information from you guys), is that this new 2nd drive that I buy (if just another 7200 RPM), may be no faster than my current Seagate OEM 7200, or no faster than assigning it to an external Lacie Fire Wire Drive.

Got some recent differences of opinion here.

Soooo, although it's gonna be pricey, I may go ahead and get a 10,000 RPM 2nd internal drive. My local Apple tech/reseller here in Philly, said if you're gonna spend some money, spend a little more for 10,000 RPM. He doesn't think the newer 7200 RPM's are any faster than my OEM Seagate 7200 RPM. He said, if you want definite FASTER Render time, go with 10,000 RPM. And they're pretty much plug n play, except for Journal assignment.

*I think that's why a lot of folks buy those 74 Gig Raptor's because they're more affordable than a 250 Gig 10K RPM at about $500. Know what I mean?

Thanx
Have a nice Holiday Week End!

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Answer 11

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,004 points

Sep 3, 2006 7:36 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

If you get the new drive make sure you properly erase and reformat the drive before you do anything else.

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