Which WD Silent GP 1TB HDD to get EADS or AV?

[Alex]

Data from WD site.

Desktop EADS 1 TB 32MB Cache (3 platter?)
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=559

Code: Select all

Acoustics
   Idle Mode	25 dBA (average)
   Seek Mode 0	27 dBA (average)
   Seek Mode 3	25 dBA (average)
Vibration
   Operating
   Linear	20-300 Hz, .75G (0 to peak)
   Random	10-300 Hz, [b]0.008[/b] g² / Hz
Power Dissipation
   Read/Write   5.4 Watts
   Idle	        2.8 Watts
   Standby	0.40 Watts
   Sleep	0.40 Watts
Weight	0.63 kg, 1.39 Pounds

Audio Video AV 1 TB 16 MB Cache (3 or 4 platter?), according to shops it is 32 MB?
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=388

Code: Select all

Acoustics
   Idle Mode	24 dBA (average)
   Seek Mode 3	25 dBA (average)
Vibration
   Operating
   Linear	20-300 Hz, 0.75 G (0 to peak)
   Random	[b]0.004[/b] g²/Hz (10 to 300 Hz)
Power Dissipation
   Read/Write   7.4 Watts
   Idle	        4.0 Watts
   Standby	0.97 Watts
   Sleep	0.97 Watts
Weight	0.73 kg, 1.61 Pounds (Same as EACS 750 MB, 1GB)

Both have same Seek Mode 3 acoustics (according to WD).
EADS is quite much less power hungry + guaranteed 3 platter (?) i have heard in these forums but maybe that is the case for all 32 MB Cache drives.
WD claims same weight for EADS 1TB and EACS 1TB and 750GB models?
EADS is probably best for my computer.
EADS seems to have higher operating vibration?

Do you have any other suggestions (on good quiet >= 1TB drives) or thoughts about the drives above?

[bgiddins]

I've got a pair of WD10EADS in my system - I'm *yet* to hear them. The VelociRaptor drowns them out.

I've also enabled AAM on them, so if they WERE making any noise, they're making less now

Go for them! I'm hoping they release more in a higher capacity - maybe 1.5TB - before I buy any more, just to get even more TB/Watts.

[Strid]

I'd go for an EADS. Only heard good things about them. Plus they're (slightly) faster than the EACS. and with three platters, you'll get one less pair of pick-ups on the platters = probably less seek noise and almost guaranteed lower wattage.

Just my two cents!