Best 500GB HDD?

[insz]

What do you think is the best all around hdd to get at 500GB?

I was looking at the Seagate 7200.11, 7200.10, and WD5000AAKS. I can't get the P166 or Hitachi in my area, so they are out of the running.

I like that the 7200.11 has 32MB cache and 250GB/platter densities compared to the 16MB cache and 166/platter on the WD5000AAKS, but it looks from reviews that the WD is faster and quieter (both important to me).

It's hard to compare though, as most reviews are for similar, though not exactly the same, drives. For example, the 7500AAKS, ES2.5, etc.

Any and all opinions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[elmer92413]

One thing to consider is that the Seagate has a 5yr warrenty whereas the WD only has a 3yr.

 

[faye]

Originally posted by: elmer92413
One thing to consider is that the Seagate has a 5yr warrenty whereas the WD only has a 3yr.

correct, and the seagate runs way too quiter than WD.
but WD runs a little faster... see which bothers you..

If it is a daily use, you won't see that much of a performance difference, but you will hear your harddrive when reading and writing.
hahaha, however i tend to WD.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: faye

Originally posted by: elmer92413
One thing to consider is that the Seagate has a 5yr warrenty whereas the WD only has a 3yr.

correct, and the seagate runs way too quiter than WD.
but WD runs a little faster... see which bothers you..

If it is a daily use, you won't see that much of a performance difference, but you will hear your harddrive when reading and writing.
hahaha, however i tend to WD.

Actually the WD runs quieter, Cooler and faster....

http://www.anandtech.com/stora...howdoc.aspx?i=3031&p=5

I would go WD...seems we have been getting more Seagate failures than usual around here as of late.

 

[vulcanman]

deleted

 

[vulcanman]

Are there any tricks to isolate my drive from its external USB case ? The hum during seek gets annoying ... especially since its attached to by cable box DVR (as an additional drive).

 

[insz]

I was looking at that article you mentioned PurdueRy. This is what's frustrating me. It compares the WD5000YS and 7200.10 series, not the WD5000AAKS and 7200.11 - I know you know that, I'm just pointing out that I can only find reviews for drives that are similar, or close, or one or two sizes away, but nothing detailed for either drive.

Although, looking at those numbers, there's a big difference between the 500 and 750 GB 7200.10, which must be from the 750 having more platters.

I'd rather give up a few % speed to gain a few % more quiet. I do like the 5 year warranty on the Seagate, but if the older 5000AAKS is faster and more quiet (not to mention less expensive), then it would make sense to get it.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: vulcanman
Are there any tricks to isolate my drive from its external USB case ? The hum during seek gets annoying ... especially since its attached to by cable box DVR (as an additional drive).

Rubber grommets if they fit.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
seems we have been getting more Seagate failures than usual around here as of late.

I'm thinking it is because there are more Seagate drives being sold. If the actual percent of failures is exactly the same, then the number of Seagate drive failures would probably be 2x any other brand.

Originally posted by: vulcanman
Are there any tricks to isolate my drive from its external USB case ? The hum during seek gets annoying ... especially since its attached to by cable box DVR (as an additional drive).

One thing to try is to set it on something soft, like a folded up towel. If that makes it a bit quieter, then go shopping for some soft (<-- key word) stick-on feet for it.

Originally posted by: insz
I'd rather give up a few % speed to gain a few % more quiet.

If this is for internal use, then you need to find a way to decouple the drive from the metal of the case. First step is rubber/vinyl grommets. They aren't the best, but a start. Some cases come with them. Others can be added, but sometimes you have to drill out the mounting holes and use longer screws. New Antec cases come with these really soft and thick silicone grommets which IMO does a much better job than any other grommets on the market, but of course you only get those with certain new Antec cases. Finally, completely suspending the drive makes for a really quiet setup. Again, certain Antec cases (Solo, P150, Sonata Designer) comes with these.

You can also rig up your own method, or simply just put something soft on the bottom of your case and sit your hard drive on top of it.

Caveat: Be VERY careful moving your system if your drive isn't attached using a screw. Also, if your drive isn't hard-bolted directly to the metal of the case, then it will run hotter so you need to keep that in mind.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: faye

Originally posted by: elmer92413
One thing to consider is that the Seagate has a 5yr warrenty whereas the WD only has a 3yr.

correct, and the seagate runs way too quiter than WD.
but WD runs a little faster... see which bothers you..

If it is a daily use, you won't see that much of a performance difference, but you will hear your harddrive when reading and writing.
hahaha, however i tend to WD.

Actually the WD runs quieter, Cooler and faster....

http://www.anandtech.com/stora...howdoc.aspx?i=3031&p=5

I would go WD...seems we have been getting more Seagate failures than usual around here as of late.

That review doesn't include Seagate 7200.11 drives, which are quite different. Two platters and the crazy density means that they perform well and don't have as many moving parts, which translates to quiet. I have a WD5000AAKS and a Seagate 7200.11 250gb drive (okay, just one platter) and while I can clearly hear my AAKS running when I'm sitting at my desk, I have to put my ear up to the case with my Seagate.

 

[TraumaRN]

Also dont forget the Samsung lineup of drives. The Spinpoint T 500GB is a rocking HDD. Won't win every benchmark award but it's extremely quiet, and reliable. I've always used Samsung HDDs and never had a problem.

 

[TJones2]

Personally, I'd avoid both WD and Seagate. If you want to know my reason why on the WD, check my post. As for the Seagate, there are likely still some of the faulty AAK firmware drives flouting around out there. The WD is far quieter than the Seagate I own (with, btw, the AAK firmware) but despite the 19ms access time, the WD is faster.

 

[hclarkjr]

Originally posted by: elmer92413
One thing to consider is that the Seagate has a 5yr warrenty whereas the WD only has a 3yr.

thats funny, i have 2 WD's in my system now and they both have 5 year warranty's