DEAD: $50 for Samsung F3 500GB 3.5" hard drive - back to $55

[Termie]

Edit: Still a great drive, but back up to $55 - if you're ordering today (2/7/10), go for the fantastic deal at Newegg that's posted about elsewhere - 1GB F3 plus docking station for $76. It's part of today's Shell Shocker.

Original post:
I've been waiting for a sale on the new single-platter Samsung F3 500GB, and Newegg just dropped the price $5:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

It was already a good deal at $55, but at $50 shipped, I jumped.

I've loved my Samsung F1 750GB, particularly for its amazingly low noise and temps. It's noticeably better than my newer WD Caviar Blue 640GB in that regard (although not as fast). The F3 is supposed to be faster than both and have lower temps and noise. I'm hoping to be impressed - this is going in my HTPC.

There aren't many reviews on the 'net, but Newegg reviewers love it, the read/write speeds are stellar, and my experience with the older 750 has been great. Only the review on Tom's Hardware criticizing application performance gave me pause, but I'm not going for all out speed.

 

[ViviTheMage]

GREAT drives, and 50$ shipped is a helluva good deal imo.

 

[rpcohen]

Great drives. Fast, cool & quiet.

 

[angry hampster]

Saw this last night. I love my 500GB F1.

 

[Termie]

Got my Samsung F3. It's so much cooler and quieter than my old Raptor 150 that it wouldn't matter if it were faster. But CrystalDiskMark scores are equal or above the Raptor, especially the sequential read/write numbers. Temp in my HTPC case with just one 120mm exhaust fan is 32C (65F ambient).

 

[bamacre]

ZZF has it at this price, too...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=10011016

For those who have to pay sales tax at the Egg but not ZZF. 😀

 

[Arglebargle]

Thanks OP! Got one for a new OS drive. Just happened to have the exact amount of credit at Newegg burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[cubeless]

pretty good deal with the combo ocz 700 psu... the 10% off code for the psu works with the combo (which is unusual) and the total ar is $85 for both...

 

[Greg04]

in for 2 in RAID O, will do fine until SSDs come down in price.

 

[jrichrds]

Got my Samsung F3. It's so much cooler and quieter than my old Raptor 150 that it wouldn't matter if it were faster. But CrystalDiskMark scores are equal or above the Raptor, especially the sequential read/write numbers. Temp in my HTPC case with just one 120mm exhaust fan is 32C (65F ambient).

How are the access times?

The WD 500GB single-platter gets good transfer rates, but poor access times (16ms).