Bad sector errors

[Sentrosi]

Receiving bad sector errors on my boot drive.
It's a 500GB Seagate. Ran SeaTools in both windows and DOS mode. Repaired the bad sectors. But I'm still worried that the drive is starting to show it's legs.

So, in wanting to update my system as much as it can, I looked at the SSD drives. For $150 I can get an 80GB to 100GB SSD. Then I looked at the old school Raptor 74GB drives. For a third of the cost I get about the same storage. So then I thought about striping two Raptors and having that as my boot drive/Games drive. I have a 1TB drive for storage that's currently my games drive.

Wondering if I shouldn't bite the bullet and get into a SSD or if it's best to get the two Raptors. Thoughts Goku?

[Goku]

I had to edit my previous recommendation. How long do you plan on keeping your current setup for? Current SSDs are a bottleneck for Sata II and need Sata III tech to get their full speed. This really depends on how long you are keeping your current setup is all. Once I know I can recommend you a SSD if you wish.

[Sentrosi]

I wasn't aware of that bottleneck. Realistically I'm probably 2-3 years before EOLing my rig. I couldn't pass up the Q9550 I bought last week.

[Goku]

Ah I see then. You will still easily notice the difference, but you will be holding back the performance. If you still want to get one I would recommend the Crucial M4 128GB for $180. That is a Sata III drive (yes it does work on Sata II), but I couldn't find any cheaper Sata II drives so that is your best bet.

[Sentrosi]

Last night the system drive started to fail every 15 minutes. So I did the only thing I could do last night; purchase the two Raptor 74GB drives. Should be here tomorrow. Also picked up 8GB of DDR3 1333 memory to help with the Q9550 I will be getting at the end of the week.

Needless to say I think the wife is going to be pissed. Good thing she doesn't post here!

**EDIT**
Wait. Facebook Bridge? WTF? AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

[Goku]

Wait wait. Why did you get the raptors? That SSD will still be far better . What raptors did you even get? If its the way old gen ones todays faster 1TB drives are likely just as fast if not faster. I do not even think there is recent gen 74GB ones. Latest low end was 300GB I think. If you can cancel/refuse delivery or something to get a SSD instead I highly recommend that.

Your board does support 4GB dimms right? I didn't even know there was a P35 board with DDR2/3 on it, but I knew there was 45/x38 ones.

Sorry I didn't see this sooner also.

[Sentrosi]

It's ok Goku. I couldn't shell out another $80 for a SSD right now anyway. They are the 74GB drives and I've started to install Windows 7 on them.

And as far as the memory, my board was one of the first hybrid boards out there with both DDR2 and DDR3 slots. "Officially" the board does not support more than 4GB in the DDR3 slots. But I've read on multiple forums (Hard OCP, Overclockers, etc) that the board can run 8GB DDR3. At worst I ship it back to them. At best I've got my RAM chips paid for on the cheap for the eventual upgrade. In the middle I sell them over on Anandtech for around $40.