Hard drive temperatures

[grimlykindo]

In my new build I've been noticing that my two hard drives idle at very different temperatures. My drives are as follows:

1. Western Digital 40GB 7200rpm - *Runs Windows XP Home SP2 and all drivers only*
TEMP at idle: 34c
2. Samsung 160GB 7200rpm - *Runs all other programs and games*
TEMP at idle: 29c

Both drives are less than 6 months old

So why would my temps be so different? They are both in the lower section of my P180 with the lower fan installed. If I touch them with my finger the WD is noticably warmer.

So my question is why would the smaller of the two drives idle warmer? Is it because it windows is constantly using it? It doesn't make sense cause even after I get done playing a demanding game the samsung (which all games are on) is only at 31c. It never gets as hot as the WD. Is 34c too hot for a HD?

 

[corkyg]

Most IDE drives sit in a cage that can normally hold three drives. The drive on top will always be warmer than the one on the bottom simply because heat rises. If you have room, leave an empty space between them or insert a drive cooler in it. The temps you cite are not really a problem.

As an experiment, you might try switching the positions of your two drives.

 

[StrangerGuy]

A hard drive @ 34C is nothing to worry about.