Seagate SATA drives noiser than the PATA versions?

[neptunefix]

I've been reading reviews on the Seagate barracuda drives. They are a big hit among audio production consumers because of their quiet and reliable operation.. Nothing but good reviews on the PATA versions. HOWEVER, I have noticed mixed reviews on the SATA versions of the same drives. Many people claim that their SATA drive makes loud noises during seek modes.

Does anyone know if Seagate simply has some sort of kink to work out with it's SATA 'cudas?

 

[Sunner]

Maybe the S-ATA versions come with a different default setting for the acoustic management?
Just a theory.

 

[Ardan]

I havent heard a noise complaint with their SATA drives. I have heard one in my friend's case that doesn't have the lovely features of mine to reduce noise (a noisey, non-Acoustic Management drive in one PC is silent in mine) for the drives and it wasn't any louder than the Western Digital SE drives are. I would check and see if people like StorageReview.com say it is because they can provide hard facts on it. People nit pick too much, thats why.

 

[SUOrangeman]

www.storagereview.com -> database -> Head-to-Head on all Seagate drives

-SUO

 

[NicColt]

I'd just like to mention, maybe this is not the case but.... when you upgrade or get a new case, when the computer gets much quieter the louder the HD's become not because they are in fact louder but it's because all other components are more quiet and you tend to hear the HD's more. Just my opinion.

 

[Ionizer86]

Yes, I've read that the SATA ones are indeed louder since they're set to a higher performance AAM mode. Seagate wanted to make the benchmarks on the SATA ones a bit higher. Unfortunately, you can't change the preset AAM, not even with the Hitachi feature tools

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Yes, I've read that the SATA ones are indeed louder since they're set to a higher performance AAM mode. Seagate wanted to make the benchmarks on the SATA ones a bit higher. Unfortunately, you can't change the preset AAM, not even with the Hitachi feature tools

I suspect they are trying to have it make up for it's dismal SATA performance. I think in terms of SATA WD is getting much more business then they are.

 

[neptunefix]

Seems as though Maxtor nailed their Fluid bearings for quiet operation.. and have drives that are almost as quiet, but are much better performers. I'm trying to decide between Maxtor and Seagate right now..

 

[neptunefix]

Holy crap! The new versions of the Raptor look nice. 73gigs and they're supposedly going to be very quiet, too.

 

[lazybum131]

Maybe you can look into the new Samsung Spinpoint SATA drives, they've become available in the US recently.

They're suppose to be as quiet as the Seagate Barricuda IV (the quietest one, 7200.7 are louder in comparison) and they perform well.