Difference between Raptor 150 & Raptor X

[JollyTime]

There seems to be a great deal of confusion regarding the WD Raptor 150 and the WD Raptor X. Are they identical internally?

The question popped up in a thread at the Storage Review forum. Both drives are supposed to be identical, but how do you explain the differences in test results?

Check out the results from Storage Review (note: Idle noise for the Raptor X is NOT 0db, it just hasn't been tested yet)

Raptor 150 vs Raptor X @Storage Review (http://www.storagereview.com/php/benchmark/suite_v4.php?typeID=10&testbedID=4&osID=6&raidconfigID=1&numDrives=1&devID_0=309&devID_1=311&devCnt=2)

[nn_step]

umm the only difference is the transpartant cover thing. the differences between them are common for devices that are mass produced

[ripken204]

well isnt the 150 like a raid or server edition?

[JollyTime]

well isnt the 150 like a raid or server edition?

That's what the WD homepage says. However, this could be just a marketing rephrasing and they could just as well be exactly the same.

[JollyTime]

I got an email just now from WD tech support:

"The WD1500AHFD is a desktop model for use as a single drive. The WD1500ADFD is a RAID edition model with TLER and RAFF for use in a RAID array (stripe or mirror.)"

This is wrong, since it's stated on the product overview of the Raptor X (AHFD) that it does also use RAFF. What's the deal with the misinformation here?

[JollyTime]

Update:

Now it seems like they've gotten it right. Got this email just now:

"Sorry, you are right, my mistake, it is just the RAID specific TLER that is the difference then, and the cover."

Since TLER is turned OFF by default on both drives, it's really peculiar that the results differ so much in the test.

[norse]

That's marketing for you.

[-n7-]

IIRC, the X also has a shorter MTBF.

Don't get it.

[Aramdin]

Only get it If you are a serious hardware freak with a serious disorder :p De X version is more expensive + has a shorter MTBF...Makes no sense buying it...

[Anemone]

And aluminum transfers heat better to the outside world than does acrylic :)

[JollyTime]

Oh...just checked another thing. Apparently the MTBF is identical on both drives, found some specs on the WD website.

The only "real" difference is that the Raptor 150 has TLER, but since it's turned off at default, the difference is zero (if you don't count the cool window)