Western Digital WD5000AACS 500GB OR WD500AAKS?

musicman53 · 16 May 2008 at 17:02

Thinking of replacing my WD4000AAKS with the WD5000AACS (not WD500AAKS(slipped)(SATA)Green power drive(variable spin?).
Have seen some writeups saying not to use it as a boot drive because of how it changes the spin speed when needed.
Anyone have any views on this?
:confused:

AbsenceJam · 16 May 2008 at 19:59

The Green Power drives are 5400rpm, they don't change in speed - although WD seem to try as hard as possible to conceal this. As such they're rather slow, and the WD5000AAKS isn't looking so good now compared to newer drives. If you want that sort of capacity look at the 640GB drives that use 2 platters, they're rather fast indeed.

Greenlizard0 · 16 May 2008 at 20:01

There's a Samsung version of the drive AbsenceJam has recommended too. Though it's pre order only on this website.

Buckster · 16 May 2008 at 20:07

so is the 640GB AAKS faster than the 500GB AAKS due to the platter structure ?

Mark.

AbsenceJam · 16 May 2008 at 20:15

Buckster said:
so is the 640GB AAKS faster than the 500GB AAKS due to the platter structure ?

Mark.

Yes, it uses 2x320GB platters as opposed to 4x125GB or 3x167GB in the WD500AAKS (the latter version uses 3). Much denser platters and a newer generation of drive.

musicman53 · 17 May 2008 at 13:22

AbsenceJam said:
The Green Power drives are 5400rpm, they don't change in speed - although WD seem to try as hard as possible to conceal this. As such they're rather slow, and the WD5000AAKS isn't looking so good now compared to newer drives. If you want that sort of capacity look at the 640GB drives that use 2 platters, they're rather fast indeed.

IF that is so then what is THIS all about?
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IntelliPower - A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. Additionally, GreenPower drives consume less current during startup allowing lower peak loads on systems as they are booted.

IntelliSeek - Calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise and vibration.
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THAT IS variable speed!
Also they are 5400 TO 7200RPM and not just 5400RPM.

AbsenceJam · 17 May 2008 at 16:16

No it isn't, they are 5400rpm drives and that's a proven fact. As I said it's Western Digital trying to be as misleading as possible, read what you quoted again.