Why do some computer folks like to use SCSI instead of ATA? I recently got hold of a PC that had two 4 GB SCSI drives in them. I'm converting it to a webserver, and some other remote server apps, like remote AV server, and Data back-up server. The thing is the storage capacity (8 GB), sucks...I can barely load apps, and files... I could easily go and pick up some cheap ATA drives...even at 7200 rpm I could get 60 GB for about $70 bucks.... But I'd like to know why they used SCSI drives in the first place in case there's more to HD selection that I'm not considering. Thanx

Speed? Aren't SCSI drives faster? Like 10,000 rpms? That would be my guess.

Speed is the main difference but the gap between ATA/SATA and SCSI has narrowed in recent years. 10,000 rpm ATA drives are now available. The other difference is that SCSI drives can be daisy changed with up to 16 drives on a single cable from a single controller. ATA is restricted to two drives on a single interface and the controller is integrated with the drive. Stuart

SCSI Drives are used mainly in servers, because you can access all 16 drives at the same time (multi-tasking). Clients using a server would have a fit if they had to wait for the previous person to finish his task, before access was granted. This doesn't work in IDE or Sata unless their on seperate controllers.

Theres a little bit more to multi-tasking besides being able to access 16 drives simultaneously. I think you are getting confused with multi-user. The advantage of having 16 drives on-line together is that it allows you to set up complex RAID arrays. All version of windows even since, Windows 3 are multi-tasking. Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 are multi-user, but do not rely on SCSI drives to do their work. A couple off suitable ATA drives will do just as well. >> This doesn't work in IDE or Sata unless their on separate controllers << ALL IDE, ATA, SATA drives are on a separate controller. Thats whats what the IDE means. Integrated Device Electronics, meaning the the controller electronics is integrated with the hard disk electronics. The bit that plugs into the motherboard is just a buss interface. Stuart

Excellent explanation Stuart