Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 SATA HD

[Bobartig]

Originally posted by: 2112Rush
I've read a little about Linux. But I don't know enough to make try it. I don't know much at all about computer stuff. I just built my first one. And of course am having all kinds of problems. I wish I had more time for tinkering.

If you want to have a "no commitment" dive into linux, download a LiveCD image, basically, its a fully bootable, usable linux distro on a CD. Boot/load times will be horrendously slow, because everything needs to be read off the disc, then decompressed, then run, but it's pretty amazing that the whole OS, and a host of apps, tools, and utilities fits on a single CD. Since you're not installing linux, there's really no prerequisite knowledge needed in this case.

A LiveCD also makes a really good hardware troubleshooting utility because the software configuration doesn't change. If you're NIC goes all loopy on you for no good reason, you can boot off the liveCD and check it out. If its also broken from the livecd, then you probably have a hardware problem.

For this second reason, I'd actually recommend grabbing one, like knoppix, and burning a copy to play with in your tinker time.

 

[bigsnyder]

wd6400aaks is back in stock at the 'egg

 

[mb]

I finally installed mine. It's been a while since I messed with the innards of my PC.. man I forgot how cramped my P180 is.

HD Tach results (32mb): wd640.jpg
I'm kind of surprised at how high my CPU usage % is with the WD 640GB drive.

Edit: Here's the performance with "Enable advanced performance" checked in the Device Manager. wd640_2.jpg
Burst speed is up a little, CPU utilization is down a little, and random access is up 0.1ms (probably just margin of error). Average read remains 91.6MB/s

My 320GB seagate drive for comparison: seagate.jpg

 

[onelove]

Originally posted by: bigsnyder
wd6400aaks is back in stock at the 'egg

and back OOS again

 

[bigsnyder]

at least not "deactivated"

 

[Bozo Galora]

And now it turns out the folks who rushed to get those specially numbered 320GB single platter WD drives from that ebay store got screwed
The drives were deliberately crippled on orders by WD marketing dept so it would be a nice drive for noob's
Nice!! Thnx for telling us - NOT
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3269

 

[bigsnyder]

Not necessarily. There is always that chance that different models regardless of how similar will perform differently. I doubt that the real world performance difference will be noticeable.

 

[Bozo Galora]

This is prob the best and most thorough review you will ever see on this drive
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14380
Buying this HDD is a no brainer

 

[Dashel]

Wow that's a very convincing article, thanks.

 

[demenion]

I just ordered one... I can replace my 72 gig raptor now.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
This is prob the best and most thorough review you will ever see on this drive
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14380
Buying this HDD is a no brainer

I can't help but wonder how two of these drives would perform in RAID0.

 

[samboy]

Back in stock again.........

Order 2 for a Raid 0 setup

 

[RandomFool]

Ordered one today. I've been waiting for a good drive to use as a backup.

 

[jdoggg12]

So as an OS HDD, would this perform better than a 36GB raptor? I hear the 150Gb raptors are much improved over the 36 raptors, and that this 320 is roughly the same as the 150 raptor

 

[Engineer]

In stock at $119.99 shipped now.

 

[imported_sushicide]

damn, that's a hot price! I really wanna bite but Newegg's oem drives have always been iffy for me :d

 

[houe]

Is there a retail version of this drive?

 

[Bozo Galora]

Originally posted by: houe
Is there a retail version of this drive?

Thats a good question. One of the few comments on newegg says the bubble pack wrap they used to ship the OEM broke open
(Quote)
Other Thoughts: The packaging is HORRIBLE as mentioned by many other reviewers. Mine came with literarily no protection on one side as the bubble wrap popped during shipping. As a result there some noticeable scratches on the drive surface. Nevertheless, the drive operated just fine
(Unquote)

The one nag I have with the egg is with OEM HDD shipping.
As it happens, this drive has one big saving grace - the heads are parked OFF the platters when no juice. I dont know how they do it, but its a great idea.

This vendor says the following about this HDD ($157):

This item is new. It ships in factory sealed packaging with the full complement of accessories/supplies packaged with this item by the manufacturer. This item carries the full manufacturer's U.S. warranty.

Questions? Please contact a PCNation Account Manager at 1-800-235-4050

http://www.pcnation.com/web/de...?affid=304&item=Q33356

 

[onelove]

HOTTER: 119 with promo code.

check your email

Newegg.com Newsletter - Only at Newegg: 640GB HDD $119.99, SanDisk 2GB MP3 with Free Micro SD $29.99!

View this email with images, Click here . Ensure delivery, add promo@email.newegg.com to your Address Book.

Don't miss out! These promo codes expire 4/7/2008.

 

[jdoggg12]

DAMN! I just bought it from the egg yesterday? Would they honor the promotion if i said i'd return the drive otherwise?

 

[onelove]

jdoggg12: though the drive seems like a great one, given the reviews on OEM drive shipping from egg, you've got decent odds of receiving a DOA drive. then return & rebuy.

 

[markrb38]

I have always have had good luck with OEM drives from the Egg and I have bought plenty.
Maybe it's because mine have all shipped from NJ since I am on the east coast.

Mark

 

[naiserie]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
DAMN! I just bought it from the egg yesterday? Would they honor the promotion if i said i'd return the drive otherwise?

do an online chat with a Newegg CSR, they've always adjusted prices for me in the past

 

[Lanyap]

I had some problems with NE OEM HD packing a while back. I think they shipped from the TN warehouse. They had one layer of bubble wrap that was not taped and they put the drive in the bottom of the box with peanuts on the top. I complained to NE and did not have the problem again. If you have a packing problem let them know so they can fix it.

$10 promo code is: EMCAEABBC

 

[tigersty1e]

Hmmm... HOw is this different from the Seagate 500 GB drives?

Besides the 500 gigs and platter sizes?