HDD sets for Performance BUT quiet as well

Mr Jones

Mr Jones

Mr Jones

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I wanna keep the pricing as low as possible but will divert more money into HDD IF it does provide siginificant increase in performance.

Got a couple sets for OS + Storage for a new rig:

Western Digital Raptor 74GB WD740GD 10,000RPM SATA 8MB Cache - OEM
+
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
=£164.39 inc VAT

or
Just 1 HDD but partitioned for OS and stoage...
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ST3320620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
=£78.67 inc VAT

Better off with the Barracuda or the Western Digi set - tho I've heard the Raptors are noisey :/
 
I recently bought a Western Digital Raptor 74GB WD740ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB Cache which i use for Windows and a Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ST3320620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache for everything else, both hard drives are quiet and very fast :)
 
well i would have thought it would be worth it thats why i purchased it and yes its quiet mate, trust me my case is literally stood next to my face, basically next to my monitor and i can barely hear it :)
 
Hmm... thanks, I'll probably do a set up similar to yours, a 74GB Raptor 16mb cache + a Barrucuda 7200.10 but I'll get the 250GB version, that'll be more within my budget coz of the extra £17 on that 8mb cache :P
 
The seagate 7200.10 drives are really pretty nice and quick, the data is packed in very tightly, so their transfer rate is actually higher than the raptors. The seek times are slower, but all in all they are superb performing drives. I think the 16meg cache helps make up for the slower seek time quite nicely.
 
Well, that's my trouble, the decision is to have something "quiet" so when my system defrags in the middle of the night on occasions, it wouldn't wake me.

Yet I want speed for quick OS/game/program load...
 
A raptor especially when defragging makes an awful lot of noise. :confused:

Only thing in my PC I can ever hear, rest is silent, they are most certainly not quiet drives.
 
Yeah i'm with you on that to, the raptor is not silent when its active, i've also just brought one of those to.

What i will say though is, the Maxtor i have in the other PC (120gb IDE 8mb cache) is louder then the Raptor. If you're use to using Maxtors and the noise they make, you shouldnt notice as much, but it does make noticable noise.

Whats more important?....... noise or speed, the raptor is definately faster.

The Raptor boots windows around 10+ seconds faster (proberly more but i'm rounding it off) then my Hitachi Sata 8mb cache if that helps.
 
Hmmm... thanks, I'm rather used to my Maxtor 120gb making noises, only because my intel stock cooler and Gamebomb 92mm fan is making an annoying hummmm.

I'm only worried in my new rig with many things on "silent" (CPU fan maybe a Mine or Ninja and an IceQ 1900xt), the harddrive "cracking" noises will drive me nuts.
 
Well its only gonna make noise when you give it lots to do, sitting here reading & browsing the forums etc, its as silent as the other drives.

Installed xp in 5 mins using the Raptor, just to give you some idea of how fast it can be, obviously this depends on the rest of the hardware to, but its the fastest for your money at the moment.

TBH, if you're not a performance freak, its not really going to be worth buying.
 
I wonder if sticking the Raptor in a caddy would help reduce noise, been thinking about this myself.
 
The OcUK Silentmaxx Aluminium Hard Drive Enclosure (HS-000-OK) Price: £29.95 (£35.19 Including VAT at 17.5%) seems to be well recommended for use with the Raptor.

I'm thinking of getting one for mine - but I'll probably hold off until I overhaul the rest of my system once Conroe is out :)
 
My raptor is pretty loud when defragging but in general use its fine. Anyways its nice to hear it now and again, reminds you you've paid over the odds for a drive that doesn't make THAT much difference and is louder than your cheaper bigger one ;)
 
Dr Jones said:
Anyone used a "suspend bungee treatment" for their Raptor? is it any good?
Click to expand...
I've heard good things about the bungee method.

I'd be reluctant to tie an £80 250gb drive to some bits of string, though. Imagine if you forgot about the bungee, and you moved the case. :eek:
 
basmic said:
I've heard good things about the bungee method.

I'd be reluctant to tie an £80 250gb drive to some bits of string, though. Imagine if you forgot about the bungee, and you moved the case. :eek:
Click to expand...


If you've done it correctly the drive should be safe, even when moving it. And yes, the bungee method really works.
 
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