Are HD benchmark programs any good?

[Alakazam]

I've always used HDTach to check preformance when changing bios, 4-1, oc, etc. I just use the results to form a relative point of reference when changing things. I've kept results from all the changes logged for referal. I just have the freebie version, no write testing, so am I fooling myself when a setup apears to give me increased results.

[026TB4U]

I use the Atto benchmark. I believe it tests the hd over a much larger spectrum.

[Darksword]

I've heard that ATTO is pretty good. But I think the best way to go is to do some real-world testing for a noticeable speed difference.

[Mad dog]

Of course the problem with world testing is that it's actually quite hard to measure, since there are so many variables that affect the real world speed of a system. The only real world tests i can think of are installing apps, and loading something like office 2k or loading a big picture file backand forth.

[Dramen]

I agree with DK

Benchmarks may show a huge performance gain, eg the diff between a 1gz cpu and a 1.4gz cpu, but real world performance is not all that different between the two. An old proven method for HD performance is to transfer a large file or folder of at least 200mb. and use a stopwatch.

BTW, atto is pretty good, but results tend to vary between tests without any changes made. Not sure why, tho.