I'm a little worried -- some of the drive's specifications are contradictory.
Highlights:
* Rotational Speed: 7200RPM
* Average Seek Time: 9.5ms
* Average Latency: 5.55ms
* Buffer Cache Size: 2MB
* Spindle Start Time: 10.0 seconds
* Interface: Ultra ATA/100
Average latency (measured in ms) can be calculated as 1000 / ( rpm / 60 ) / 2 = 30000 / rpm.
7200rpm drives should have a *much* lower average latency, something like 4.16ms.
5400rpm disks have an average latency of 5.55ms.
You don't have 7200rpm disks with that latency, one or the other has to be wrong.
Also, the seek time seems kind of high. Has anyone gotten their drive yet, or called Dell to see exactly what it is?