Is there a mfg out there who makes a line of quiet hard drives without the usual high-pitched whine? I've got a Panaflo L1A on my HSF and I replaced the 80x15mm fan in my mATX PSU with an 80x10mm Panaflo quiet fan, so the HD is the noisiest thing in my system now. I'd like to reduce that if possible. Thanks!
Anyone Make A Line of Quiet Hard Drives?
- Thread starter huesmann
- Start date
Ive heard that Seagate Baracudas are very very quiet.
But they are a little slow compared to other drives of similar spec.
A good medium between performance and quietness are the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 w/8mb cache series. Supposed to be a little louder than the Baracudas, but with better performance. I have a 80gb & a 120gb DM+9 in my system, and they`re very quiet. And fast.
But they are a little slow compared to other drives of similar spec.
A good medium between performance and quietness are the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 w/8mb cache series. Supposed to be a little louder than the Baracudas, but with better performance. I have a 80gb & a 120gb DM+9 in my system, and they`re very quiet. And fast.
Samsung Spinpoints, people who have Barricudas also say it's as quiet as the Barricuda IV and they're faster.
Seagates are very quiet as are the fluid bearing Maxtors (DiamondMax 8s are more quiet than 9s).
Maxtors are slightly faster but Seagates would be slightly quieter. Seagate would be a better bet for you.
Maxtors are slightly faster but Seagates would be slightly quieter. Seagate would be a better bet for you.
beatle
Diamond Member
- Apr 2, 2001
- 5,661
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I use a single-platter 10 gig 5400 rpm Seagate in my bedroom computer. It's inaudible.
The Maxtor hds I've had have also been very quiet, albeit with relatively loud seeks. Maxtor has a utility that can tone down the seek noise @ the expense of performance. You can usually find them on hot deal if you need a larger size.
The Maxtor hds I've had have also been very quiet, albeit with relatively loud seeks. Maxtor has a utility that can tone down the seek noise @ the expense of performance. You can usually find them on hot deal if you need a larger size.
My understanding is that some of the newer Seagate SATA drives are not as quiet when seeking as the ones that gave Seagate their "quiet" reputation. Also, the Hitachi has a little "chirp" noise every 20 minutes or so lasting only a 1-2 seconds -- some kind of automated self adjustment designed to give it a longer life and make it more reliable -- bothers some particularly noise sensitive people.
I think when it's all said and done though the Seagate Barracuda IV = quietest.
I think when it's all said and done though the Seagate Barracuda IV = quietest.
Yeah my Hitachi also has the chirp. I don't really care about it, and if it helps life then it's cool in my book.
Coming from a Seagate 'Cuda IV, this drive definately has much louder seeks but it's a lot faster too. I can't hear either of them idle.
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
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Sacrifices had to be made. The 7200.7 are not as fast as WD's, but so close you'll not notice, and still very quiet, if not as quiet as some older ones. Overall, any Seagate will be a good choice. One thing I've noticed is they seem to lack the whine that most HDs have. IMO, that's a lot worse than any seek noise.
Yeah, the whining is perhaps the most annoying type of HD noise, and that's what I hear most people complain about.
As an aside, I'm pretty amazed at how sensitive to computer noise some people have become. Sure, cranking up the 60db Tornado fans is ridiculously loud, I agree (I use a very quiet Enermax fan), but surely every little minor click, chirp, or beep is not THAT critical. Seagate, WD, Maxtor, Hitachi all have some great hits and misses. I just pick the one that's the best value based on features and performance preferences ---- all are pretty much tolerable as far as noise if you get a "good" one from the factory, but none are perfectly silent, and even if they are in the beginning, most will eventually begin making a little noise down the road. Personally, I wouldn't sacrifice superior performance or quality because of a minor noise (fan noise is not minor btw, lol). That's just me though
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
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Originally posted by: Sarobi
Yeah, the whining is perhaps the most annoying type of HD noise, and that's what I hear most people complain about.
As an aside, I'm pretty amazed at how sensitive to computer noise some people have become. Sure, cranking up the 60db Tornado fans is ridiculously loud, I agree (I use a very quiet Enermax fan), but surely every little minor click, chirp, or beep is not THAT critical. Seagate, WD, Maxtor, Hitachi all have some great hits and misses. I just pick the one that's the best value based on features and performance preferences ---- all are pretty much tolerable as far as noise if you get a "good" one from the factory, but none are perfectly silent, and even if they are in the beginning, most will eventually begin making a little noise down the road. Personally, I wouldn't sacrifice superior performance or quality because of a minor noise (fan noise is not minor btw, lol). That's just me though
I know, I'm one of those people...I've gotten much more sensitive as I use them. Seeking, beeps and such don't bother me (nor does the Shuttle onboard sound wierdness, since it isn't random), but any constant noise does. I can't even go to sleep while the AC is blowing air to my room.
I am the opposite, random noises kill me. My mind always tries to find patterns in the randomness, needless to say I dont get anywhere. I really can't stand any noise, but I can tune out a bit of constant noise.
I would go for Seagate Barracuda IVs or the PATA version of the 7200.7. The SATA version does not have a quiet mode.
I made my own enclosure for my two noisy 80GB WDs and it came up pretty nice. I only hear seek time now, not that annoying whining noise anymore. I got pictures of the project if interested e-mail at mrojas73@yahoo.com and I can send them to you. It involves some work though. Temperature is fine too.
Mine does!. About a month ago, it started making some very high pitched sounds, but all the Maxtor Diagnostic software said that its ok. I didnt want to risk it so i brough a DM+9 120gb 7200rpm/8mb to replace it, and its quite a bit quieter and faster now.
I definitely recommend a Seagate. I've got a 60Gb Seagate Barracuda IV that I've been using for a while and it is very quiet. I've just purchased a 160Gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 to build my Silent PC. We'll see how it sounds? I believe all of the reviews I've read stated that the drive is not as quiet as the Barracuda IV's. The new HDDs do not have the SeaShield to reduce the noise. If the drive noise is noticable, I'm planning to suspend my drives.
I have the Maxtor DiamondMax 80gig 8mb PATA drive and it is practically inaudible in idle, but when seeking you can hear it. However, it is defn not as loud as my WD 120gig 8mb PATA drives.
Thanks guys, I went with an ST380021A. 'Cuda IV. Good choice. When I replaced the old drive, I thought the new drive wasn't working 'cause I couldn't hear it. When Windows started to boot I was pleased.
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