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View Full Version : Upgrading a TK250 Hitachi


__Miguel_
01-28-2007, 02:49 PM
Hi there. This is my first post here, though I've been watching this forum for a while now. It's mindblowing every time I come here (8GHz P4s, 4GHz+ C2Ds, etc. :P).

Anyway, lets get this show on the road. I am having problems with my gateway's* HDDs (two 80GB SATA drives, being the system drive a Maxtor drive, the storage one a Seagate): though S.M.A.R.T. still doesn't register anything, I've had several "deep freezes" (freezed monitor at the desktop, no way out of it except "reset") over the last week, one of them just this afternoon.

So, I just figured I'd get my T7K250 250GB drive from the main rig, put it in the gateway, and upgrade the main rig. The thing is, the T7K250 was fast as hell when I bought it, and still is (for the price, that is...). I've been trying to find a good replacement, but it's being difficult, and time is running out (not to mention I'm on a budget, of course... lol).

My first choice was the new WD1600AAJS (one of the fastest HDDs available, acording to Tom's Hardware...). No go, they're still not for sale here in Portugal. Second choice was the 320GB 7200.10 Seagate drive (as fast as the 750GB monster, or so it seems), but it's way too expensive, and it's a matter of chance not getting a "whinning" drive...

Next up, Samsung SP2504C: not overly expensive, quiet, and reasonably fast. And that's when it happened, the moment I discovered the 501LJ, 321KJ and 180HJ drives. According to Tom's Hardware, the 501LJ is a monster (even beats the slowest Raptors in some tests :eek:). Although it's still very expensive (and waaaay too much storage space), I keep wondering: since smaller drives usually get higher performance ratings (the WD1600AAJS is an example, only one platter and impressively fast; the 320GB 7200.10 is another one), should I go with one of the smaller T166-family drives (321KJ, the 160HJ is also not available)?

If that's true, I think I hit the jackpot with the 321KJ: big inexpensive silent fast drive...

What do you think? Am I missing something?

Thank you very much.

Cheers.

Miguel


* Network gateway, mind you. Running W2K3.

__Miguel_
02-28-2007, 02:56 PM
I almost forgot this thread.

Just an update. I ended up with a 321KJ. One of the best buys I've EVER made. It's just impressive. I can't hear it except when in extreme load (I could hear the T7K250 starting up and with moderate load), speeds whent up (not a whole lot, the T7K250 is a fast drive as it is), and temps whent WAY down (around 10ºC, in the same conditions). It was also dirt cheap, I got it for under €100 just a couple of weeks ago, which means it was cheaper than many 250GB drives...

The server also fees better with the T7K250. Less noise (80GB first-gen SATA drives are SO noisy...), less weight (it is somewhat suspended, so one is better than two in this case) and more speed.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this disk. A definite plus for any system.

Cheers.

Miguel