Faster Write times to HDD?

[WireGuy1950]

I am researching parts for a SolidWorks workstation.

I am trying to figure out what combination of hardware would give the fastest write times for the large files involved.

My initial hardware choices are a Gigabyte motherboard (GA-X58A-UD3R) with an Intel i7-970 processor and 12Mb of ram, then a pair of WD Caviar Black 1Tb hard drives (WD1002FAEX) attached to the SATA 6 bus.

Any other opinions out there?

Thanks

[Geek-9pm]

Any other opinions out there?

OK. I am very opinionated.

IMO fast write time is not a good idea. Fast read time is more important.
But is this for a scientific experiment? In that case, you build a huge RAM drive using the faster static RAM you can afford.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-create-linux-ram-disk-filesystem/

Or use a 64 bit OS and have a huge RAM space the you get to directly and forget about Hard drive write times. The mobo you have can do 24 GB. Get the that and forget about hard drive write time. Keep it all in memory.
You said you wanted an option!

[WireGuy1950]

The problem is that on the existing computer writing the large SolidWorks cad files ties up the system for minutes.  I was hoping that the 12gb of memory and the 64mb of cache would improve save times.

There are cost concerns also.

[Geek-9pm]

Understood. You want performance at a reasonable price.
More opinion welcome?
http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/cache/286426-0-0-225-121.html#partner
The above link shows that a HP optimized workstation for
SolidWorks CAD
carries a price tag of near $2000 more or less. You would like something like that for a lower price - Right? Hard to do!.
Writing large files should not 'tie up' the workstation. Has that been your  experience?

Conventional wisdom is that you get better price/performance by investing you money in a single workstation. However, some prefer to have two computers on the desk. The two share disk space over a LAN. If one gets 'tied up', the other is available for the user.
Options vary.
Others say that if the workstation ever gets 'tied up' its time for the operator to go for a cup of coffee.
I think I will now.