Maxtor
Maxtor 2F040L0 Fireball 3 40 GB 3.5" IDE Hard Drive
A 40 GB 3.5" internal IDE hard drive spinning at 5400 rpm with a 2 MB buffer and Ultra ATA/133 interface
- Electrical Outlet Plug TypeHard Drive
- Industry-first 40 GB single-platter design simplifies storage upgrades
- Ultra ATA/133 interface delivers 133 MB/s peak throughput for responsive performance
- 5400 rpm spindle speed balances quiet operation with reliable data access
- Compact 3.5 inch form factor fits standard desktop drive bays
- PC and Mac compatibility ensures broad system support
Ideal for legacy PC and Mac builds
This Maxtor Fireball 3 drive provides 40 GB of storage on a single platter spinning at 5400 rpm. It uses a 3.5-inch form factor with an IDE Ultra ATA/133 interface. The unit suits entry-level desktop systems or older consumer electronics that still require parallel ATA connectivity.
No bundled accessories change the installation
The drive ships as a bare internal mechanism without cables, mounting brackets or software utilities. You must supply a compatible 40-pin IDE ribbon and a Molex power connector from your existing hardware. No jumpers or configuration tools are included in the package.
Verify IDE support and physical space before
Your motherboard or controller card must offer a free IDE channel that recognises ATA-7 speeds. The chassis needs a 3.5-inch bay with at least .7 inch of vertical clearance and 5.8 inches of depth. Confirm the BIOS can address a 40 GB volume on the target operating system.
Highlights
- Industry-first 40 GB single-platter design simplifies storage upgrades
- Ultra ATA/133 interface delivers 133 MB/s peak throughput for responsive performance
- 5400 rpm spindle speed balances quiet operation with reliable data access
- Compact 3.5 inch form factor fits standard desktop drive bays
- PC and Mac compatibility ensures broad system support
Specifications
| Brand | Maxtor |
|---|---|
| Electrical Outlet Plug Type | Hard Drive |
Questions about this item
Will the 2 MB buffer on the Fireball 3 need replacement as it ages?
The 2 MB buffer is built into the drive's controller board and is not a user-serviceable part; if the drive fails, the entire unit is replaced.
What limit appears first when the 5400 rpm platters run continuously?
Sustained throughput is capped by the IDE Ultra ATA/133 interface at 133 MB/s, which the 5400 rpm mechanism cannot exceed.
How much heat and noise does the 1.12 lb drive produce during all-day operation?
The single-platter 5400 rpm design keeps heat output low and acoustic levels typical for a desktop-class IDE drive of this capacity.
Also in this aisle
People compared these
Same shelf, same checkout — eight coins and a 30-minute rate lock.



