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WD Raptors noise questions. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK!

W

weirdologist

Member
I have 2 36GB(WD360GD) raptors running in RAID1 and it is FAST! BUT, I cannot stand the noise the drive makes when the drive is reading or writing data. The head movement is so loud. I can also hear the whinning noise of the disk spinning but I am not as concerned about that as the chattering noise of the head.

My computer has only one 120mm fan running at reduced speeds because of watercooling. My PSU also has no fan. So the only noise that is being generated right now are my raptors. I am also using HD silencers that completely enclose my HD.

OK so, I have heard that that the 74GB raptors have FDB motors so that the whinning of the disk spinning will be reduced, but what about head movement noise? Say I switched to a different HD completely, what are the noise levels(head movement) of the Seagate 7200rpm compared to to the Raptors. And lastly, other brands to consider?

Switching to other drives will reduce the kind of performance I am getting out of these Raptors but I am willing to sacrifice a little performance if I can get some quietness.

Mike
 
I have the 74gb raptor and it still makes a whining noise during read and writes. The seagate 7200.7 drive is actually a tad bit louder than my raptor drive. The quietest drive I have used within the past year was a Samsung spinpoint drive. It was fast and barely audible. Definitely recommend going with the samsung.
 
I know how to change that, you must go in to the drives firmware and alter the acoustic settings. Doing so will sacrafice some performance.
 
tr1kstanc3: Thanks for the reply!! I will look at some other replies before I make my decision. Will definately take a look at the spinpoints.

Googer: HOW!!!??$^#$^% Is it worth it though? Might as well buy a different drive?
 
Check the WD website, with some other drives you can download a program to adjust the drive's acoustic properties.

Samsung spinpoints run cool and quiet.
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Check the WD website, with some other drives you can download a program to adjust the drive's acoustic properties.

Samsung spinpoints run cool and quiet.
Click to expand...


Checked the WD website, nothing on Raptors. The only thing I could find was the diagnostics tools.

Looks like I am going with Samsung....waiting for more replies.
 
I actually like Seagates for their quiet operation, had an 80GB in my old computer and a new 400GB in my latest computer and they both are inaudable.
 
Originally posted by: ohnnyj
I actually like Seagates for their quiet operation, had an 80GB in my old computer and a new 400GB in my latest computer and they both are inaudable.
Click to expand...

There seems to be mixed opinions between the Seagate drives and the Samsung. I am sure the Seagates are quiet also but what if compared to Samsung?
 
Originally posted by: weirdologist
Originally posted by: ohnnyj
I actually like Seagates for their quiet operation, had an 80GB in my old computer and a new 400GB in my latest computer and they both are inaudable.
Click to expand...

There seems to be mixed opinions between the Seagate drives and the Samsung. I am sure the Seagates are quiet also but what if compared to Samsung?
Click to expand...

The problem is that seagate got in trouble with using apparently patented AAM...so, those who have bought the 7200.7's are having trouble, since it seems that AAM has been hardwired off on SATA, and some of the PATA models have it hardwired on.

A possible fix(YMMV, I've had no experience with this) can be found in This thread

Also good, the "editor's note" on This page

A topic about the 7200.8 seems to have some good info, as well...Text

At any rate, it does seem as if the samsung is a good choice for a quiet HDD...

The SPCR Silent Storage forum seems to have alot of good info on the current state of HDD noise...
 
To conclude Samsung vs Seagate in noise:

From the SILENT PC REVIEW WEBSITE:
Samsung SpinPoint SP1614N
To be fully honest, with the drive suspended on top of that Seashell, it was extremely difficult for my ears to pick up the seek noises of this drive. I was shocked, since when I first got the drive and set AAM to low noise, it wasn't this quiet. It appears that a, "break-in," effect has taken place and the seek noise has been further reduced. However, if I moved my ear within several inches of the drive, I am able to pick up the seeks as an extremely faint, mid-frequency chatter.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3160023A
The Seagate's seeks came through clear and obvious in the open air. The noise is best described as a mid-high frequency, highly rapid combination of clicks and clattering. I liken the sound of it to that of rapidly moving water in a tube with a whole lot of air bubbles in the line, if anyone here knows what I mean (fish tank owners, unite!).

Overall
The Samsung is the hands-down winner, here. It's a no-contest, as the seeks of the Seagate were clearly audible anywhere in the room during the test, whereas the Samsung required diving under the table right up to the drive just to get a hint of the noise. It really makes you wonder whether the people over at StorageReview are in anyway correct about Seagate locking the ST3160023A in to low-noise. If it was true, then I'd expect much lower noise than this!
Click to expand...

The main problem is different peoples "quiet" may not be quiet at all depending on their machine and their preferences.
 
Originally posted by: weirdologist
To conclude Samsung vs Seagate in noise:

[snip]


The main problem is different peoples "quiet" may not be quiet at all depending on their machine and their preferences.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I personally own an SATAT 80gb seagate 7200.7(with AAM hardwired off), and, while it's alot louder than, say my WD 40gb(though, that's not a fair comparison either, since that's mounted on foam in the bottom of my case), it's still nowhere close to any of my older drives, including a 20gb samsung, 6gb WD, and another, older 6gb maxtor, or 12gb seagate...

BTW, it was only because I couldn't switch AAM on that I researched all this - some thing's just bug me till I get them resolved. 😉

I have not personally ever used a computer equipped with a raptor, so, I can make no comparisons there.

It seems as if the different revisions of the 7200.7's have wildly different noise signatures, and you really can't be sure what you are getting.

To me quiet is inaudible unless your ear touches the case, or only barely audible at 5:00 AM, when everybody else is in bed. My WD used to be like that, and is, if I switch on AAM. The seagate is easily audible at a distance of 2 feet, no matter what is happening, but, the noise seems to mostly disappear when the computer is on carpeting and under a desk. In both cases, I am referring to seek noise.

What case are you using? In my experience, the case vibrating with the HDD is 90% of the noise.
 
Thanks yelo333 for the help.

I am using the Thermaltake Tsunami case. I am using GUP Smartdrive enclosures and I know it is not the best way. I am gonna try taking out my drives and holding them to see if the noise reduces.

I tried the Hitachi utility and it deos not work with my Raptor.
 
I took out the HD's from my case and put them on my carpet. I can still hear the seek noise from 4 feet away. The spinning sound is pretty much gone because of the enclosure.

Putting them back inside the case, It is noticeabaly louder from the same distance. I would say around 20% louder to my ears.

Now the final question is how much quieter are these Samsung drives compared to the Raptors I am using now?
 
Originally posted by: weirdologist
Thanks yelo333 for the help.

I am using the Thermaltake Tsunami case. I am using GUP Smartdrive enclosures and I know it is not the best way. I am gonna try taking out my drives and holding them to see if the noise reduces.

I tried the Hitachi utility and it deos not work with my Raptor.
Click to expand...

I would not hold the drive while it is running, for many reasons.
1) the gyroscopic forces can cause the heads to crash against the platters
2) you can cause a short ciruit or burn up the logic board due to esd or improper grounding.
3) i have see it happen, a plug or wire comes loose, stops the drive and causes data coruption

so my advice is dont hold it, instead get some very soft clean cotton terry cloth towls and fold them many times untill a pillow is created. Place the drive upside down with the logic/circuit boards facing up and then power on the system. Do not touch or handle them when they are spinning or the power is on.

I have a hitachi 7k250 it has to be one of the quiest and fastest drives with adjustable acoustic managment.

My drives include that I own:
Samsung
Maxtor
Western Digital
Hitachi.
 
GOOGER

Don't worry, I put the drives on my carpet, I didn't move them at all when testing. They were also in the enclosure and the data and power connectors are locked in place by the enclosure. It was a fast 3 min test.

My HD's are connected to the Mobo.

Which drive would you say has the least vibration(seek head movement)?
 
Originally posted by: weirdologist
I took out the HD's from my case and put them on my carpet. I can still hear the seek noise from 4 feet away. The spinning sound is pretty much gone because of the enclosure.

Putting them back inside the case, It is noticeabaly louder from the same distance. I would say around 20% louder to my ears.

Now the final question is how much quieter are these Samsung drives compared to the Raptors I am using now?
Click to expand...


Noooooooooo! Oh my god, you didn't! Carpet is so full of electorstatic charges, your drives may have just been compromised by ESD. What you just did is every pc technicnans worst nightmare. Carpet and PC parts are like holy water and vampiers. They just should never touch each other. The best place to do work on a pc
at home is the kitchen second would be the garage, because of the linolium or tile floors and the nonconductive formica or corian.
 
Originally posted by: weirdologist
GOOGER

Don't worry, I put the drives on my carpet, I didn't move them at all when testing. They were also in the enclosure and the data and power connectors are locked in place by the enclosure. It was a fast 3 min test.

My HD's are connected to the Mobo.

Which drive would you say has the least vibration(seek head movement)?
Click to expand...
AYE AYA AYE! there is a lot to worry about here! ESD, those drives may fail in 6months or so because of it.

Hard Drives are always louder when placed out side of the case.
 
Dude, are you an Electrical Engineer? I am pretty certain that the HD is grounded through the power connectors. There are even ground pins on the SATA connector. If I am wrong, we will see after 6 months if the drive fails. I really appreciate your concern though, and I will totally understand if don't buy the drives from me.

The HD's are obviously louder inside the case because of the vibration transmitting onto the case structure and also resonance inside the case.
 
Which drive would you say has the least vibration(seek head movement)?
Click to expand...
Only software/firmware can change the noise generated by the drives voice coil.


Since you told me that you are running these drives in RAID, some RAID controllers will override any acoustic settings in order to maximize IO performance. If you want the ultimate in speed and silence look in to SSD (solid state drives).
 
Those drives cost WAY too much for me. I have looked into them before.

I am talking about the seek head, which drive has a quieter seek movement.
 
the drives may be grounded, but the problem is that you are not. ESD passes through you in to the drive and goes in to ground via the Hard Drive, and hence causeing a short in the process.

I will return all messages later, I have to go for now.
 
You are right about that but that's the whole point that it's grounded. A short from me directly to the ground, protecting the drive.

Please PM all regards concerning ESD as this topic is mainly about HD noise. I really want to keep this thead to be clean. Thanks!
 
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