Raptor and Googlegear RMA policy **was Newegg**

[BG4533]

Once again I think I may have changed my mind about which HD to purchase. I was previously planning on purchasing a Seagate Barracuda V 120GB 8mb cache as quiet was one of my main concerns. As I have read more and more reviews and other things on this forum I am now craving more speed. I currently have a IBM desktar 60GXP 60GB drive. I am hoping the Raptor is at the least not louder than this. Anyone know? If I get one and it turns out to be too loud, will Newegg give me a problem returning it? I don't mind paying a restocking fee if it is my problem.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[RyanVM]

I believe Newegg charges a 15% restocking fee on all non-defective returns IIRC.

 

[mechBgon]

Some owners of Western Digital ball-bearing-equipped drives report that their drives develop increasing bearing noise as time goes by. You could start a poll and see what peoples' comments are... the Raptor is a ball-bearing drive, at any rate, and could be prone to the same problem.

 

[canadianpsycho]

I've got a raptor atm and find it really nifty.

Not loud at all, but I was coming from a 10k SCSI drive.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Some owners of Western Digital ball-bearing-equipped drives report that their drives develop increasing bearing noise as time goes by. You could start a poll and see what peoples' comments are... the Raptor is a ball-bearing drive, at any rate, and could be prone to the same problem.

The Raptor is a fluid bearing drive, which is why its quieter, faster, and has a much longer warranty/MTBF.

 

[mechBgon]

I'm pretty sure I read that the Raptor uses ball bearings, but I've been known to be wrong before so I scoured Western Digital's site for info. I can't find any authoritative statement to that effect, have you seen one somewhere? All they say is that it has enterprise-class bearings.

Incidentally, most 10k SCSI drives have ball-bearing motors and the same 5-year warranty and high MTBF as the Raptor, so I don't necessarily take those characteristics as significant evidence of a FDB motor in the Raptor. It would certainly be nice if the Raptor did have FDB motors, if it's going to end up in lots of desktop systems.

 

[BG4533]

I have seen people mention the Raptor uses FDB, but now that I haven't seen anything near official. I emailed WD to find out. It might also give me an idea of their tech support if I never would need it.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Viper96720]

I would expect fdb or better than their ata drives. It does have a 5 year warranty.

 

[sharkeeper]

Raptor does NOT have FDB bearings!

This doesn't mean the drive will get noisy, time will tell however.

-DAK-

 

[BG4533]

I got an email back from WD today. It took a few days, but at least it was a response. The Raptors ARE ball bearings drives. Kind of dissapointing. I ended up ordering one the other day from googlegear. Hopefully I like it.

Thanks for all the help,
Brian

 

[BG4533]

Hmmm....I ended up purchasing this drive from Googlegear becasue it was $17 cheaper. I plugged it in using a 4 pin molex connector, started the computer and the drive smelled like smoke. When I plug it in now it doesnt smell like smoke or spin up or anything. Quietest HD ever... How is googlegear with their RMA process usually? I would really like to get a new drive by friday at least. Has anyone here got Googlegear to just let them purchase a new drive and return the old one?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[mechBgon]

Aaack What about doing a cross-ship RMA with Western Digital themselves, using a CC# as collateral?

 

[BG4533]

I would be willing to do that with WD if they would let me for a new drive. I would think I might get a refurb drive or something though. I will see what Googlegear says tomorrow.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Tavoc]

Check out the www.storagereview.com review of the Raptor if you want to compare noise to other drives. One of the reasons the Raptor is able to spin at 10k and still maintain low heat and noise is that it only has 1 platter vs multiple platters for most other drives.

 

[Lord Evermore]

You don't want to RMA the drive to WD if you just got it. Then you'll be listed as having done an RMA and all and may not get a brand new drive (though I can't imagine they have a lot of refurbed Raptors laying around). Always use the retailer/dealer if you're still within their warranty.

 

[BG4533]

Googlegear seems to have pretty good service. I am pleased with their response and happy they aren't making me go through a normal RMA process. They offered to let me return this drive and waive the restocking fee so I can just go ahead and purchase a new drive without the wait. Just thought I would let people know.

Brian