Maxtor 7L300S0 (S-ATA, NCQ, 300GB) experiences?

TimJim · Post by **TimJim** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:40 am

I currently have some vibe problem with my SP2504C (250GB) so I decided to go for a bigger one. Seems that in this forum there are good experiences with the WD3200JD, which is very quiet.

But I just saw, that Maxtor has a new model, supporting NCQ too. So I wonder if there are any experiences about the sound and vibrations of the Maxtor 7L300S0? Any comparisons with the WD3200JD maybe?

TimJim · Post by **TimJim** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:18 am

No one? Is this HD to new?

TimJim · Post by **TimJim** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 2:37 am

I found out that Maxtor's Data Sheet says the following for 7L250S0/7L300S0:
disk's noise is 27 decibel in idle mode

In comparison the Data Sheet of the WD3200JD:
Idle Mode 28 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 33 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 29 dBA (average)

So, it doesn't look bad... but unfortunately there's no value for the seek mode.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:54 am

Maxtor 7L300S0 is the MaxLine III 300GB (similar to the DiamondMax III)

Search the forum for it.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:06 am

Just bought one of these drives today which wasn't an easy decision there really seems to be a lack of a fast/large and QUIET sata hdd on the market.

First impression is that it's louder than my 200gb 7200.7 IDE Seagate. The idle noise is a fair bit whinier/metallic than the seagate. I enabled AAM with great difficulty and the seeks are fairly quiet. Vibrations aren't too much of a factor as I have the drive suspended.

Unfortunately I have run into an issue with it on my DFI NF4 Ultra-D. Windows XP boots can take up to 5mins (this is on a fresh install) once in windows it seems to be running fine though. I did a bit of research and found its a known issue
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthr ... ge=1&pp=15

Basically they say a firmware update on the drive can fix the problems but my drive was manufactured in July this year so you would think it would have a fairly recent firmware on it anyway.

Just wanted to give some of you guys a warning.

Edit: Forgot to ask if anyone has one of these firmwares lying around I would greatly appreciate it if you could pass it on to me as tech support in Australia won't be back for another couple of days now

Yamamoto56 · Post by **Yamamoto56** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:23 am

I own 2 Diamond Max 10, and 2 Max LIne III 300 gb drive. I have to say they are extremely quite, can't hear the difference between them. However, Maxline III comes with 5 years warrenty which is the better drive to get IMO, since they are in the same price range around US200.