HDD recommendations? iMac (early 2006)

[delusional]

I ordered this old iMac on the first day intel macs became available. Jan 1 2006. It's been a great machine, but now it's time to replace the hard disk. I need a Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive. One terrabyte or larger. It should be a 7200 R.P.M. drive with at least 8 MB of Cache memory built-in. And, it should be labeled as SATA-150 or SATA-300. Either will work, but I will only get the performance of the SATA-150 drive either way (the 300 will slow to 150 to communicate with my system). SATA-150 might be cheaper.
The problem is that there are so many choices available, i just can't decide. It seems like there are thousands of disks i might use. Can somebody please make a recommendation, or at least tell me what to avoid?

I am concerned most about heat inside the mac degrading the new drive's life expectancy. Cost is a factor, but i will choose reliability over price.

 

[tgaudmx5]

Help!

I have this exact same question, but rather than post a new thread I wanted to reply to this one since the OP already said it perfectly for me.

Can someone provide a recommendation for a replacement HDD for an early 2006 white 20" Intel iMac?

Thanks!

 

[B...]

Have you thought about an SSD? Blazing fast and cheaper than they've ever been.

 

[QCassidy352]

Have you thought about an SSD? Blazing fast and cheaper than they've ever been.

second that... it will feel like a new machine, and you'll never, ever go back to HDD.

 

[tgaudmx5]

Well yeah - that would be great! This iMac is actually my mother's (I have a MBA - so I'm well aware of the benefits of SSD vs HDD.

Can you guys help me out with a link to a good one that will work in this iMac (early 2006 20" Core Duo)? I would really, really appreciate it.

I assume formatting it using the SL install disc is similar to the process for HDD?

Thanks!!

Have you thought about an SSD? Blazing fast and cheaper than they've ever been.

 

[eRondeau]

Yes a new SSD formats exactly the same. I recently installed a 240GB SATA-3 SSD (from Other World Computing) in an "original" Late-2008 aluminum Macbook and it's incredible. Like a brand-new laptop. I also installed a 64GB IDE/PATA SSD in a decade-old iBook G4 and it is entirely usable for casual internet & email use. And I think I'm going to upgrade my Sony PS3 with a SATA-2 SSD just to say I did it. These things are addictive!