Which hard drive is better?

[Calin]

I want to upgrade my HDD, and I have the following choices:
1. Western Digital WD 800BB
2. Seagate Baracuda ATA IV

Considering similar price (150$ vs 143$), similar capacity (80 GB), and so on, what would you purchase?
Please, if anyone have bad experiences with one or another of the HDD, share them with me.

Thanks alot
Calin

UPDATE: price for WD down to 142$, and the HDD is now under testing: 32375 points in Sisoft Sandra 2002

 

[Gretzky]

right now I have a 40 gig Western Digital drive and I had no problems with it for about 3 months now. I also had a seagate drive in my older comp and it was awesome. Very quiet, never failed on me, and, very tough ( i dropped it by accident and it works fine ).

 

[tbalon]

I have a 80 Gig WD and it has to be the quietest drive that I have ever owned. Have only had it for couple of months and I wouldn't know it was running if not for the HD light on the front of my computer......

 

[SmirnoffIsTasty]

I believe the WD is slightly faster, and slightly louder (altho I have a 120 gig SE and I don't even hear it).

 

[Mem]

Western Digital WD 800BB would be the one I would buy between the two,speed wise it has the edge.

 

[cholley]

i would never reccomend a western digital to anyone, had more of them fail then all other brands

 

[Calin]

Thanks everyone, I almost have now a Western Digital 800BB.
I have a older Seagate (U5, 17 GB) but after the initial "non-audible" performance,
in about 1 year started to be more noisy. And I have some bad sectors on it.

Anyway, for now I'll have the hard drive recommended by some of you (after the video
card). My computer becomes more and more "anandtech forum reader"'s computer.

Update: the WD Caviar now costs only 141$ (plus 19% VAT)

Anyway, backed up with 3 year warranty, the future is bright

Thanks again
Calin