Samsung Spinpoint Drives?

[Virgorising]

Hi,

I only just learned about these drives Samsung has apparently discontinued.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111337279461?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.epinions.com/review/Samsung_500_GB_SATA_II_HD502HJ_Hard_Drive/content_540023426692

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/2tb-hdd-7200,2430-2.html

I delved, but remain unclear re their reality: some places say warpspeed drives, other places say, OK yes, very fast, but they also die fast.

This one has only 16 cache.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with these drives?

Thanks!

 

[WilliamM2]

Yes, I have several of them.

 

[Virgorising]

Yes, I have several of them.

O!

And?

How many, for how long, why did you choose them, how would you describe their performance?

(I am, as usual.... feelin the music, so I am not holding my breath.:|....but hope springs eternal; being right is not always a happy thing.)

 

[BonzaiDuck]

O!

And?

How many, for how long, why did you choose them, how would you describe their performance?

(I am, as usual.... feelin the music, so I am not holding my breath.:|....but hope springs eternal; being right is not always a happy thing.)

It's hard for me to keep track; I know what drives are in what computers, but I have an inventory of spares -- brand new and used -- some in hot-swap caddies, some in the original shipping box, some sitting in safe places on their narrow end, where they won't get bumped over, jolted, "warmed up," etc.

I think I have two ore three F3's, but they were 1TB'ers. I've just pulled one out of my server during ongoing rebuild. Another was a hot-swap backup disk for the server. I've had these for maybe 2+ years. Right now, I have one which I swapped into my "flaghship" (sig-rig) a couple weeks ago when I had a careless accident and made my WD VR "unbootable." Turns out, putting it on another machine with the same Intel software in a different BIOS configuration allowed me to change the VR and restore it. I just wiped it clean. So I'm waiting to do a clone-and-swap. The Samsung F3 will be great for backup. I don't need a 1TB boot-system-programs disk.

 

[Virgorising]

It's hard for me to keep track; I know what drives are in what computers, but I have an inventory of spares -- brand new and used -- some in hot-swap caddies, some in the original shipping box, some sitting in safe places on their narrow end, where they won't get bumped over, jolted, "warmed up," etc.

Wow. Can I come and visit?:sneaky:

I am impressed that you have these! Are they as fast as I read on the net?

I think I am looking for something comparable in speed and silence and reliability to this WD5002AALX I am writing from......but more affordable. I already have a bunch of older WDs and the older Seagate now installed to use as backup.

 

[DominionSeraph]

The F3s were good drives, but you can get 1TB/platter 1TB drives for $50-60 now, so why would you be looking at $60 buy-it-now used 500GB drives?

 

[Virgorising]

The F3s were good drives, but you can get 1TB/platter 1TB drives for $50-60 now, so why would you be looking at $60 buy-it-now used 500GB drives?

Virgorising describes someone very picky and discerning in most things, and always chasing info. You could say that's my default mode.

HDDs are more individual than ever before in the history of our technology.

It's not about size or cost---this WD Black I am writing from, 500GBs... is 77% free....tho, I naturally, I like to keeps costs down and get the most bang for my buck----it's about the quality of the individual drive.

Speed, silence, reliability....soundness of engineering.

'Good drives'....'good' anything.... don cut it for me. As I shared, I am always chasing specifics. I also offer them by default to the extent I am able to. That is what I cherish, feel honors me in my journey....and so, for me, it honors others.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Don't forget about the firmware bugs in those Samsung drives that could corrupt data if keft unpatched. The patched firmware reports the same version number as the unpatched firmware too, so it can be hard to tell. (Unless you used the Japanese firmware update, which did change the version number, but might affect your warranty coverage.)

So much fun and excitement with those drives! I'd rather my drives be boring.

 

[Deders]

I have a 1TB F3 and it is very fast, but I have noticed that it makes an odd noise that at one point made me think my PC was haunted. Took me a while to notice but it comes from the vibrations it transfers through the case.

I had to mount it with rubber bands to eliminate it entirely.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2189210

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I have four F3 1TBs here. By far my favorite performance 1TB HDD (not counting the Raptors).

Don't forget about the firmware bugs in those Samsung drives that could corrupt data if keft unpatched. The patched firmware reports the same version number as the unpatched firmware too, so it can be hard to tell. (Unless you used the Japanese firmware update, which did change the version number, but might affect your warranty coverage.)

So much fun and excitement with those drives! I'd rather my drives be boring.

AFAIK, those were the SpinPoint F4 2TBs. I dropped those from my fileserver like a kid trying to make his porn collection unreadable.

 

[Virgorising]

Don't forget about the firmware bugs in those Samsung drives that could corrupt data if keft unpatched. The patched firmware reports the same version number as the unpatched firmware too, so it can be hard to tell. (Unless you used the Japanese firmware update, which did change the version number, but might affect your warranty coverage.)

So much fun and excitement with those drives! I'd rather my drives be boring.

Ahah! I saw references to this online!!!! So, above is waaaay helpful to me.:thumbsup:

I vote for yr version of boring as well! Yr version is sans PMS, who wouldn't agree?

See? It's always a learning curve. I just knew there were catches with these drives, just was not clear re what they were.

 

[Virgorising]

I have four F3 1TBs here. By far my favorite performance 1TB HDD (not counting the Raptors).

Truly? Now, I am confused again. I doubt I would even consider a WD Raptor. I doubt I will ever own a mechanical drive that spins at 10K.

AFAIK, those were the SpinPoint F4 2TBs. I dropped those from my fileserver like a kid trying to make his porn collection unreadable.

So the firmware bug does not apply to the F3s?????

 

[Virgorising]

have a 1TB F3 and it is very fast, but I have noticed that it makes an odd noise that at one point made me think my PC was haunted. Took me a while to notice but it comes from the vibrations it transfers through the case.

O! Did U consider an exorcism?

Seriously, do U think the infamous, blue nylon sleds in my beloved, big Optiplexes would mitigate this? None of my HDDS are screwed in, after all, you just open the pliable blue sleds and surround them perfectly, and then just pinch the tops of the rails and drop them into their slots in the HDD bay and they kinda FLOAT. (But securely.)

U think that would accomplish the same as the rubberbands?

 

[Virgorising]

K.....again, now assuming the firmware PMS does not apply to the F3s, what do we think of this? Anyone own one of these? Is the only 16 cache significant? This WD Black has 32; I always thought cache matters.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281322023313?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

On Newegg, lots of people report it just died relatively early on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181

But, on Amazon, some very impressive, positive reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SpinPo...owViewpoints=1

I am......confused.

 

[WilliamM2]

Yes, I have several of them.

 

[Virgorising]

Yes, I have several of them.

Do you honestly think the reality of your wince-making "music" eludes ANYONE, William? Have you no shame?

 

[WilliamM2]

Do you honestly think the wince-making, desperate reality of yr "music" eludes ANYONE, William?

Not exactly the stuff of The Voice.

Do you actually expect serious replies? You ignore the advice EVERYONE gives you, because it's not what you want to hear.

Yes I have several, probably over a dozen between home and at work. I have not had a single failure yet, and they were great drives when new.

They don't perform as well as new higher density drives, and for $5 more you can get a new higher density drive with a warrany. It's foolish to even consider used drives when new ones are so cheap.

 

[Topweasel]

Truly? Now, I am confused again. I doubt I would even consider a WD Raptor. I doubt I will ever own a mechanical drive that spins at 10K.

Because its a decent price for capacity and speed. I for example have a 1 TB VR that I got 1.5 years ago for $199. Compared to the $960 a 1 TB SSD would have cost. Its great for my Steam Library and hosting at least the OS drives of VMs.

But I still wonder like a previous user why look at a used or refurb discontinued Samsung drive when you can get faster, quieter, single platter drives new for the same amount?

 

[Virgorising]

Do you actually expect serious replies? You ignore the advice EVERYONE gives you, because it's not what you want to hear.

Yes I have several, probably over a dozen between home and at work. I have not had a single failure yet, and they were great drives when new.

They don't perform as well as new higher density drives, and for $5 more you can get a new higher density drive with a warrany. It's foolish to even consider used drives when new ones are so cheap.

Behold the unambiguous return of the hateful Despotism. Authority is earned William, not demanded.

Those who demand (authoritarian and desperate) loose all respect and credibility....scratch a bully, find an insecure coward. And, a dilettante.

I buy used......a really discerning person, not a prisoner of simplistic/categorical thinking can do this and save a ton over time. Never once had a problem.

The only drive I never had a problem with, was a brand new WD I bought on Newegg a while back. It, unlike all the used drives I have chosen carefully, including the amazing one I am writing from.... had more sectors than WD diagnostics could count. I RMAed it, WD sent me a tested one.

When I replace say a mobo for a friend, (they pay for parts), unless they insist on new, I find working pulls on ebay. So far, never had a problem.

This is my third Optiplex. All bought used on eBay...I first choose the chip. In all events, including my upgrades, I saved a TON and got perfect systems.

I do appreciate the more NORMALLY specific data you offered above re those you have owned.

Finally, I ignore....NOTHING. And, objective truth exists. You need to try to change it, that's your choice, and doomed isometric struggle.

Please work to recognize and expunge the despotism. It has no upside at all. To ANYONE.

And no whole human would be capable of such, even with a pack species pet, i.e., a dog.

 

[Virgorising]

But I still wonder like a previous user why look at a used or refurb discontinued Samsung drive when you can get faster, quieter, single platter drives new for the same amount?

Can you pls offer specifics? Brands, models?

 

[Virgorising]

Wait!!!! I just now opened myself to Raptors! And, I delved and found this one.....new, I think, for a very good price for a new one. Many used on ebay for almost no money. I have uber luck with used, tho, as I shared and been offering examples of all along.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Dig...Internal_Hard_Disk_Drives&hash=item3ce0bd712b

I am attracted to this puppy.

Plus, check out the vendor's feeback; he sells lots of these, and buyers seem very pleased.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Toshibas are nice.

Any 5400rpm drive is going to be relatively, at least until the bearings start to go. (Age.)

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Wait!!!! I just now opened myself to Raptors! And, I delved and found this one.....new, I think, for a very good price for a new one. Many used on ebay for almost no money. I have uber luck with used, tho, as I shared and been offering examples of all along.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Dig...Internal_Hard_Disk_Drives&hash=item3ce0bd712b

I am attracted to this puppy.

Plus, check out the vendor's feeback; he sells lots of these, and buyers seem very pleased.

Raptors? I thought you were worried about noise?

Buy a freaking SSD already.

 

[WilliamM2]

Behold the unambiguous return of the hateful Despotism. Authority is earned William, not demanded.

There was nothing hateful about my post, just stating the facts.

This is my third Optiplex. All bought used on eBay...I first choose the chip. In all events, including my upgrades, I saved a TON and got perfect systems.

I remember that, and everyone was recommending you get a new, faster system for less money. Just like your drives, how is that saving?

I do appreciate the more NORMALLY specific data you offered above re those you have owned.

Finally, I ignore....NOTHING. And, objective truth exists. You need to try to change it, that's your choice, and doomed isometric struggle.

Please work to recognize and expunge the despotism. It has no upside at all. To ANYONE.

And no whole human would be capable of such, even with a pack species pet, i.e., a dog.

At this point I'm sure you don't have both oars in the water.

 

[Virgorising]

Because its a decent price for capacity and speed. I for example have a 1 TB VR that I got 1.5 years ago for $199. Compared to the $960 a 1 TB SSD would have cost. Its great for my Steam Library and hosting at least the OS drives of VMs.

But I still wonder like a previous user why look at a used or refurb discontinued Samsung drive when you can get faster, quieter, single platter drives new for the same amount?

Toshibas are nice.

Any 5400rpm drive is going to be relatively, at least until the bearings start to go. (Age.)

All my drives are 7200. Including my spares.