New hard drive

OK, my parents need a new hard drive, currently a 40gb 5400 rpm ata/100. They us the pc mainly for e-mail and web so they don't need anything outragious. I could go with a WD Caviar Blue 160gb, 7200 rpm ata /100 at $ 59.99. I was thinking if they ever truely upgrade their pc then maybe I should just get a WD Caviar Blue 160gb, 7200 rpm Sata 3gb at $ 39.99 with a Manhattan Sata 300 IDE Converter at $ 17.59.

Any opinions or advice?
Also, I presume that the Sata drive will will have a lower data transfer rate with the converter. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance

 

Save yourself the headaches and stick with an IDE interface. Adapters/converters are fine in a pinch but if you are buying new, get one that fits without the adapter.

You an probably find a larger Caviar blue IDE for the same price if you shop sales. I don't know if you will find a smaller one much cheaper than that price.

 

And a smart move, going from 5400rpm to 7200rpm.
Will be a faster machine.
Also, how much RAM is in the machine?
Be nice to surprise them with more memory at the same time.

 

Thanks HRLow3,

Its an old Compaq. I already maxed out the Ram. The next step for them will have to be a new system. Hell they still use a CRT Monitor.

 

Nothing wrong with using CRT monitors.
Have seen some with better resolution than a lot of the newer flat-screens.

 

A quick search on newegg.com brought up the same 160Gb WD Caviar Blue drive for $45 + $6 shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136112