Using an external hd (Raptor 10000 rpm) for booting?

[TruthSerum44]

So right now I use the internal 160 gb, 5400 rpm hard drive in my macbook as my boot drive. I was wondering if I would see an improvement in performance if I loaded Leopard onto an external 10,000 rpm raptor hard drive and just used my internal hard drive as most people would use an external hard drive (for storing movies, music, etc.).

I know it seems like a dumb question, but I'm concerned I'll run into bottlenecks, as I would be connecting the drive via firewire or usb (preferrably firewire, as I hear it's better for use with external hard drives).

Thanks in advance

 

[gr8tfly]

It'll probably saturate FW800, let alone FW400.

The most practicable solution you can do would be swap the 5400RPM for a 7200RPM. I did this on my MBP, just before Leopard. It now has the Seagate 200GB 7200RPM. The speed difference was noticeable.

You mentioned MacBook, so I made the assumption it's not a Pro.

If it's Pro, you could get an ExpressCard eSATA adapter, but from my research, there are some configurations which are problematic.

 

[TruthSerum44]

Hmm, so another question I should add is whether the seek and access times for the Raptor hard drive would be throttled due to the firewire (400, as I do have just a macbook) connection. I don't move a lot of large files, and the main reason I want a better hard drive is for quicker seek and access times.

Tell me what ya think, thanks

 

[xraydoc]

Hmm, so another question I should add is whether the seek and access times for the Raptor hard drive would be throttled due to the firewire (400, as I do have just a macbook) connection. I don't move a lot of large files, and the main reason I want a better hard drive is for quicker seek and access times.

Tell me what ya think, thanks

It'll be fast, but over FireWire 400, not sure it would be any faster than a high-density 7200 RPM drive (i.e., high capacity per single platter).

 

[Consultant]

You can Try eSATA ExpressCard...

A raptor will have to be powered anyway.

 

[xraydoc]

You can Try eSATA ExpressCard...

Not on a MacBook like the original poster has (no expresscard slot).