quieter HD Recommendations

reidthaler · Post by **reidthaler** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:59 pm

Had a HD die this weekend and it will be replaced under warranty by Seagate. It was a 300 GB 7200.8 SATA and wasn't as quiet as other Seagate drives I've had. I called and they said it was because of the NCQ feature.

I would like to hear recommedations and experiences. I'll probabaly go with a 500 GB drive and back ups so I don't have to deal with storage for a while.

I'm leaning toward the Samsung SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ. I had one of their drives a while ago and it was quiet. I've also heard good things about the WD SE 16 mentioned at silentpwreview

I like that Seagate has a 5 years warranty, but don't know if their current drives are as annoying at the 300 SATA was.

I've heard too many horror stories about Maxtor drives.

I had an IBM which was the noisiest drive I ever had. They sold to Hitachi, and I've heard their drives are very quiet.

Of course, I want good performance too.

Thoughts? recommendations?

Thanks!

reidthaler · Post by **reidthaler** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:25 pm

I had an IBM which was the noisiest drive I ever had. They sold to Hitachi, and I've heard their drives are very quiet.

I meant the Hitachi aren't very quiet.

Reid

hexen · Post by **hexen** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:45 pm

in the recommended drives article it sais:
"June 30, 2006: A number of minor changes and added the WD5000KS as the quietest currently available drive"

but im not sure if this is still applicable (as in if there is something rated quieter by now)

six4withafro · Post by **six4withafro** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:34 am

you should probably check out the silent storage forum, too.

spookmineer · Post by **spookmineer** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:11 pm

Reading some comments in the Storage section, the Samsung Spinpoint T series are very quiet too, maybe even more quiet then WD Caviar SE16.

Again from reading here, people who bought the Samsung are very pleased with it.

dangman4ever · Post by **dangman4ever** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:34 am

I should probably give you the heads up: When my 300GB 7200.8 drive died, Seagate replaced it with a 400GB 7200.9 drive. Dunno if it was a fluke or not but just thought you might want to know that little tidbit.

unmake · Post by **unmake** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:24 am

I'm kind of unhappy with the WD1600AAJS )160GB single-platter) I received last month - will probably just bite the bullet and get a Scythe Quiet Drive enclosure for it.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:56 am

I think you should read this:
viewtopic.php?t=35153&postdays=0&postor ... j&start=64

Samsung Spinpoint T166 501LJ (500 GB) and
Samsung Spinpoint T166 321KJ (320 GB)
Seem to be the quietest ones now. But nobody can guarantee that.
There is also always an issue of sample variance.

If you have missed this please search for "501LJ" and "321KJ" in the SPCR forums.

I hope this is useful info.

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:10 am

if i were you, id go with a small 2.5" drive for your system, and use NAS, or just some old system and set it up as a file server, and set it up on a wireless network in the basement or a closet somewhere. you dont even need a monitor or input devices with it. you can control it from your PC through the network.

jhhoffma · Post by **jhhoffma** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:37 am

The WD5000KS is the new SPCR Recommended Quiet HDD. I have one and it's pretty darn quiet, especially when soft-mounted. Idle whine is all but non-existant, and seeks are very muted.