Western Digital Launches Quiet Single Platter 320GB Desktop Drive !!!

**LuckyNV** · 03-02-2008, 06:55 AM

Anyone know where in UK they are listed yet? EXCEPT OCUK

**Nicksterr** · 03-02-2008, 10:55 AM

Can anyone with a 150gb 16mb cache raptor run hd tach and post a ss? I'd like to compare to the new wd 320 and 640.

**LuckyNV** · 03-02-2008, 11:11 AM

i did quick bench only

**Nicksterr** · 03-02-2008, 11:21 AM

That's a 74gb, I have one of those, I need a 150gb quick bench =p

Interesting though, I have the 8mb cache raptor are you're showing 12 MB/s more average read and 10 MB/s more burst speed than me. Cache must really help.

**LuckyNV** · 03-02-2008, 11:22 AM

doh my bad

**metachronos** · 03-02-2008, 11:48 AM

Did anyone disable the quieting function and see if it improves access time?

**breakfromyou** · 03-02-2008, 06:09 PM

The single platter WD3200AAJS would be WD3200AAJS-00B4A0...?

If so, Micro Center has them. Not like anybody would want the 8mb cache version :p

**EvilBellyLint** · 03-02-2008, 07:08 PM

Ordered 2 of the WD6400AAKS from Newegg the other day, $259.98 shipped.
Will post some benchies in a few days or so when I get this next rig together.

EBL

**Mav451** · 03-02-2008, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by breakfromyou

The single platter WD3200AAJS would be WD3200AAJS-00B4A0...?

If so, Micro Center has them. Not like anybody would want the 8mb cache version :p

I'm not too sure. The SE16 series (AAKS) are the only ones with the 320 platters, as far as I know.

**Kingcarcas** · 03-02-2008, 08:08 PM

Hehe this is interesting as i will be in the market for a 320GB(200 now), i figure by the time i'll want something bigger SSD will be the norm.

**breakfromyou** · 03-02-2008, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mav451

I'm not too sure. The SE16 series (AAKS) are the only ones with the 320 platters, as far as I know.

I have some of the older 2 platter 320gb drives...but since the 320gb AAKS is B3...we have some AAJS B4's at Micro Center. OEM, and $90 haha.

They also look the same (sticker size/layout) as the B3's. So i'm 99% sure they're single platter. They do weigh a bit, however...

**GAR** · 03-02-2008, 08:47 PM

A quick question for the Hard Drive experts, lets say i want to get rid of my 150GB raptor for a quiter but equal drive, which would i buy? thanks

**YukonTrooper** · 03-02-2008, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by GAR

A quick question for the Hard Drive experts, lets say i want to get rid of my 150GB raptor for a quiter but equal drive, which would i buy? thanks

Western Digital Caviar 750GB (WD7500AAKS). Quiet, cool, fast. Has similar read and write times as the Raptor, but has an average seek time compared to other drives. Whether or not the seek time is important to you, I don't know.

Some reviews:

http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Western%5FDigital%5FWD7500AAKS%5F7
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3061
http://techreport.com/articles.x/12673/1

I was going to go with a Raptor for my next drive, but looking at this drive changed my mind. Similar performance, cool, quiet, and 750GB for less than the price of a Raptor.

**kaskuli** · 03-02-2008, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Yukon Trooper

but has an average seek time compared to other drives.

Higher seek times. Right now, if you are an entusiast you are forced to get both types; a 10000 RPM and one of the bigger, slower drives. There's no single drive out there that can satisfy everyone. As for this thread, don't know why everyone's going gung-ho about this drive - it doesn't break new ground.

**YukonTrooper** · 03-03-2008, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by kaskuli

Higher seek times. Right now, if you are an entusiast you are forced to get both types; a 10000 RPM and one of the bigger, slower drives. There's no single drive out there that can satisfy everyone. As for this thread, don't know why everyone's going gung-ho about this drive - it doesn't break new ground.

The seek time is slightly over average compared to other 7200RPM drives. No big deal to me, but like I said, only the individual can decide.

**~~Omastar~~** · 03-03-2008, 01:06 AM

Just ordered a 640GB variant from Newegg for my file server (the old 250GB is dying after faithfully serving me for a solid 3 years). I had 4GB left on the 250GB, so I figured I'd take the plunge on a new product and be the guinea pig. From what I read, though, I won't regret it. 1TB drives are just still too damned expensive.

**largon** · 03-03-2008, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by breakfromyou

I have some of the older 2 platter 320gb drives...but since the 320gb AAKS is B3 (...)

Just for the record, what is the complete part number of the older WD3200AAKS with two 166GB platters?

Single platter = WD3200AAKS-00B3A0
Dual platter = WD3200AAKS-??????

**breakfromyou** · 03-03-2008, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by largon

Just for the record, what is the complete part number of the older WD3200AAKS with two 166GB platters?

Single platter = WD3200AAKS-00B3A0
Dual platter = WD3200AAKS-??????

WD3200AAKS-00SBA0

**largon** · 03-03-2008, 05:25 AM

Thank you breakfromyou.

Now, if the WD3200AAKS-00B3A0 just had similar access time compared to WD6400AAKS. I hope it's just because AAM or such...

**XS Janus** · 03-03-2008, 08:14 AM

I noticed in that test posted that 640AAKS comes wit AAM disabled.
When the guy turned it on access time was comparable wit 320AAKS.

That could mean that 320AAKS comes with the AAM feature turned on cause they want to gain popularity and place the drive as Silent PC drive of choice.
It would make sense if you want to gain HTPC builders on your side.

**EvilBellyLint** · 03-03-2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by GAR

A quick question for the Hard Drive experts, lets say i want to get rid of my 150GB raptor for a quiter but equal drive, which would i buy? thanks

You would want the WD6400AAKS over the WD7500AAKS.
The 640GB uses the higher density platters, and is faster
than the 750GB in just about every way.

If you can wait until April/May, Samsung's own F1 Series 320GB
drive could be even better still.

EBL

**YukonTrooper** · 03-03-2008, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by EvilBellyLint

You would want the WD6400AAKS over the WD7500AAKS.
The 640GB uses the higher density platters, and is faster
than the 750GB in just about every way.

I had no idea about the new 640GB drives. I'll have to look into one of these, if indeed they are faster in every way. I can't seem to find any in Canada at all, though. The only thing I can find is a post in the NCIX forum, asking when the new 640GB drives from WD will be available. These must be brand spankin' new. Any links for reviews and benchmarks?

**Mav451** · 03-03-2008, 12:48 PM

I doubt there's any reviews as Newegg just placed them on their site a few days ago. Surprisingly with little gouge. Then again, these are hard drives we're talking about haha. I'm a pessimist when it comes to Newegg pricing. A few users already have numbers (I linked to an [H] thread)...and I'm sure other forums should have early adopters receiving their drives during this week.

**Biker** · 03-03-2008, 03:34 PM

I have the 320gb and 1TB Samsung's (both use 334GB platters)... here are the numbers:

320GB:

1TB:

...as these performance figures are almost identical I am pretty certain the 640GB WD and Samsung drives will be very close to these results...

**YukonTrooper** · 03-03-2008, 05:26 PM

Wow, those are great numbers!

Just for reference, these are the HD Tune numbers for a 150GB Raptor:

Thread: Western Digital Launches Quiet Single Platter 320GB Desktop Drive !!!

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