These are the 3 tests from a raptor 10k 74 gig in a modern box using the live 1.9 64 bit DVD:
/dev/sda1:
Timing cached reads: 2308 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1154.28 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo hdparm -t /dev/sda1
/dev/sda1:
Timing buffered disk reads: 254 MB in 3.01 seconds = 84.32 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo hdparm --direct -tT /dev/sda1
/dev/sda1:
Timing O_DIRECT cached reads: 134 MB in 2.01 seconds = 66.64 MB/sec
Timing O_DIRECT disk reads: 226 MB in 3.00 seconds = 75.31 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$
Now a 250 gig Western Digital sata I:
/dev/sda2:
Timing cached reads: 2314 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1156.48 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo hdparm -t /dev/sda2
/dev/sda2:
Timing buffered disk reads: 232 MB in 3.03 seconds = 76.68 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo hdparm --direct -tT /dev/sda2
/dev/sda2:
Timing O_DIRECT cached reads: 134 MB in 2.01 seconds = 66.64 MB/sec
Timing O_DIRECT disk reads: 208 MB in 3.01 seconds = 69.13 MB/sec
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$
Conclusions: I paid 200 bucks for the raptor, 80 for the 250 gig. So save your money until you can get one of these:
http://www.fusionio.com/