Different versions of WD1200BB-SE?

[Goi]

Hi,
I remember reading about there being like 2 versions of the 120GB WD Caviar drive(8MB cache special edition), one having 2 60GB platters, the other having 3 40GB platters. Now am I just dreaming or is this the case? If the latter is true, how do I determine which is which, and which is faster? IIRC the 60GB platter version was faster. Asking coz I'm getting one soon.

Thanks!

 

[Pariah]

Yes, there are. The only way you can tell as far a I know is to look at the actual drive, the top plates are slightly different between the 2.

 

[Goi]

OK, they're different, but how can I tell which is which? Is there any defining physical feature, S/N or anything? Or a mark on the label of one version that isn't on the other? Anything that can concretely tell me which is which?

 

[Pariah]

The ridge on the top left side of the drive is a bit more rounded on the 40GB/platter drive.

40GB platter

60/66GB platter

 

[buleyb]

You can tell by the sector count.

Tomshardware had a good review of this...

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/02q4/021011/index.html

 

[Goi]

Cool, seems like the 40GB/platter version has 234.375 billion sectors while the 60GB/platter version has 234.442 billion sectors...

 

[thorin]

Is this actually two different SEs or is it SE vs JB?

Thorin

 

[buleyb]

JB is the code in the manufactures product number that refers to the SE drives...

for example...

WD400JB is the 40 GB special edition drive (8MB cache) and 3yr warr.

WD400BB is the 40 GB 'normal' drive with only a 2MB cache and 1yr warr.