Western Digital GP WD5000AACS any quieter than WD7500AACS?

Edwood · Post by **Edwood** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:07 am

Is the 500GB version (2 platters) any quieter than the 750GB version (3 platters)?

-Ed

Immortals · Post by **Immortals** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:35 pm

From WD site

5000aacs

Acoustics
Idle Mode 24 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 29 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 25 dBA (average)

7500aacs

Idle Mode 25 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 27 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 25 dBA (average)

So they claim it's 1dBA quieter on idle.. Don't know what the seek modes mean.. Perhaps enable/disable of aam. I have the 500GB. I am very impressed with it (in terms of acoustics). I think those figures are on the conservative side. Easily the quietest 3.5 drive I've heard

Edwood · Post by **Edwood** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:05 pm

That's weird that the seek noises are rated as louder for the 500GB one.

Maybe the added density of the extra platters deadens the seek noise a bit? Or perhaps its the louder idle noise that is masking the seek noise a bit?

-Ed

elpibe10 · Post by **elpibe10** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:16 pm

Edwood wrote:That's weird that the seek noises are rated as louder for the 500GB one.

Maybe the added density of the extra platters deadens the seek noise a bit? Or perhaps its the louder idle noise that is masking the seek noise a bit?

-Ed

It's because the 500GB version doesn't have this :

StableTracâ„¢ - The motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce system-induced vibration and stabilize platters for accurate tracking, during read and write operations. (750 GB and 1 TB only)

Edwood · Post by **Edwood** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:29 pm

Ah, I guess I'll be getting the 750GB version then.

-Ed