Quiet 320GB drive?

[SONYFX]

which one is quieter?

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA NCQ 3.0Gb/s 16MB

Western Digital (WD3200KS) Caviar 320GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB

 

[John]

http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2803

The WD3200KS is overall the quietest drive we have tested to date. The Seagate 7200.10 320GB drive follows closely behind and improves upon the 750GB drive in the objective test results. Our subjective opinion is that the seek requests are very muted for both drives and it was difficult to near impossible to notice the drive's noise levels over the power supply fan during the majority of intensive read/write requests. The Seagate 320GB drive did not generate the thumping noise we encountered with the 7200.10 750GB drive. Our base db(A) level in the room at time of testing was 24 db(A).

If 1dB quieter is the deciding factor go with WD. If you want a slightly faster drive and a 5 year warranty go with Seagate.

 

[j00fek]

seagate 7200.10

 

[Boyo]

I have the WD 320GB drive. Never have heard it once. Get that one.

 

[Smartazz]

I have the Seagate now and I had the WD before. The WD is really quiet and so is the Seagate. I can't hear either unless my ear is next to the hard drive cage. The Seagate is a little faster and I think Seagate's are generally more reliable. If the prices are similar, go for the Seagate.

 

[T9D]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16822148140

I would suggest you read the reviews from newegg of the seagate 320 gb. There are over 700 reviews. Most of course are positive. But there are a LOT of failures (4 drive failures on the first page alone). I was surprised at how many there were. At least one or two for every review page. Also a lot of people say it's "very quiet". But the other half say it's "quite loud".

I'm not sure what to think of this drive. Seems very inconsistant as far as quality control and/or variations go. Maybe it's just a gamble and hope you get one that is quiet and also doesn't fail.

I'm still leaning towards the seagate because the perpendicular drives are faster. But I'm worried about the failure rate and my PC needs to be super quiet so if I get one that is louder than the rest I'm going to be bothered by that.

 

[secretanchitman]

i'd go for the seagate 7200.10.

 

[SONYFX]

So I bought both today.

Seagate had 8 bad sectors while WD had none.

Seagate was very loud, WD was OK, not that quiet.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: SONYFX

So I bought both today.

Seagate had 8 bad sectors while WD had none.

Seagate was very loud, WD was OK, not that quiet.

So I guess it depends on the particular hard drive you have. Both my Seagate and WD are inaudable.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: SONYFX
Seagate was very loud, WD was OK, not that quiet.

:shocked: My 320GB Seagate 7200.10 isn't at all.

 

[Auric]

'taint a contest. With Seagate you have a "50/50" chance of getting a crap noisy motor. Plus it has no AAM nor APM. If you want the fuzzy feeling of a five year warrany plus the highest reliability rating then go for a WD3200YS. Dunno if they have caught up with the rest of the industry in actually releasing higher areal densities; ergo two-platter in this capacity (they announced last July but have not heard any confirmations from in ze wild).

Samsung have their new high-density PMR HD321KJ out but alas they also suffer a "50/50" motor problem although not with noise but vibration.

So, perhaps the best of all is Hitachi from the T7K500 series as they are not lacking in any area, save the option of a five year warranty which, all things considered, is the easiest discarded feature or characteristic when the choice must be made.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Auric
Samsung have their new high-density PMR HD321KJ out but alas they also suffer a "50/50" motor problem although not with noise but vibration.

Easily remedied with elastic suspension.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: Howard

Easily remedied with elastic suspension.

Sez u... them Shamshungs send vibration through the air!

 

[w00t]

listen to the difference at silentpcreview.com

I have the WD SE16 320GB it's silent trust me