WD Scorpio Blue 320GB and other 2.5" drives. What is qu

barefootzero · Post by **barefootzero** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:17 am

Hi All,

I am looking to get a new HD for a HTPC. I don't use it for recording TV so I don't need a giant drive.

Is the WD Scorpio Blue a good choice? I am looking at the 320GB model. I am looking to spend about $60. I looked at 3.5" drives but they were not that much cheaper for this capacity and thought a laptop drive would be cooler and quieter.

line · Post by **line** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:46 pm

Have you considered the Samsung F3? It's a 3.5" drive though.

DrCR · Post by **DrCR** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:24 pm

There were two models, and one of them noisy.

IIRC there's an article on the matter here at SPCR. If it were my money I would spend the little bit more for the WD640GB.

I'm still running one of the noisy 320GB in one desktop, but I didn't even bother trying to find a quiet version for another desktop I build a little later and just spent the premium (at the time) for a 640GB.

whiic · Post by **whiic** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:14 am

I have two and while I don't have a reference, I believe they are both what would be the noisy variant. At least I consider them very noisy for 5400rpm drives with FDB bearings so if these were the quiet variant, I couldn't imagine what the bad variant would be.

My 320GB Scorpios (one inside a laptop, one inside WD Passport) make quite a hissing when spinning. And they hiss more when heads are unloaded (HDD is idling). Unload sounds are noticeable but the variable hissing is more annoying. Vibration levels aren't good on either of my samples but the one in Passport is probably worse.

I would also consider Samsung F2/F3 Ecogreen as a competitor for laptop HDD for quiet/silent desktop computing. They're both the same at least when it comes to meaningful characteristics (like use of 500GB platters).

I have two 1000GB variants and they are the quietest desktop drive I've had by a fair margin (noticeably quieter than the also quiet WD GreenPowers). I haven't made side-by-side comparisons to Scorpio but due to lack of variable hissing, the Ecogreens are probably less annoying than 320GB Scorpios. Idle noise character of Ecogreen is constant and otherwise smoother, and lower pitched.

500GB variant of Ecogreen is extremely quiet (see SPCR review). I don't have one, but considering 1000GB is laptop-like (obviously not comparable to the best of laptop drives but a worthy competitor to 320GB Scorpio) either 500GB or 1000GB might easily meet your needs.

barefootzero · Post by **barefootzero** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:35 am

What about any of the following the following drives...
My preference really is to go with a laptop drive for noise as well as size, heat and partially power consumption.

HITACHI Travelstar 5K500.B HTS545032B9A300 (320GB)
HITACHI Travelstar 5K320 HTS543232L9A300 (320GB)
TOSHIBA MK3263GSX 320GB
Fujitsu MJA2320BH 320GB
Fujitsu MJA2320BH-G2 320GB
SAMSUNG M6 Series HM320JI 320GB
SAMSUNG Spinpoint M7 HM320II 320GB

frenchie · Post by **frenchie** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:46 am

I have a Samsung M6 and I love it !! It's VERY quiet and doesn't vibrate much. The first time I plugged it in, I though is wasn't working because it was so quiet

PS : I have to check exactly which one I have.

barefootzero · Post by **barefootzero** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:04 am

frenchie wrote:I have a Samsung M6 and I love it !! It's VERY quiet and doesn't vibrate much. The first time I plugged it in, I though is wasn't working because it was so quiet

PS : I have to check exactly which one I have.

Please let me know when you find out.

The F2 seemed ok but I thought the seeks were to loud from listening to the recordings. My Fujitsu IDE 2.5" 120GB (don't know which model) I can't hear at all pretty much ever (it is just sitting on a foam pad).
Edit: It is not that the F2 seeks are loud but the way the drive clicks that bothers me.

BTW it is really disappointing that SPCR does not review more laptop HD.

frenchie · Post by **frenchie** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:40 pm

Well it truns out I don't have an M6 version....

I think I got a little carried away on that one. My apologies.

I have this one : Samsung SpinPoint M HM160JC

link to manufacturer :
http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/deta ... cd=HM160JC

N-K · Post by **N-K** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:01 am

I recently tested a 500GB Samsung M7 HDD and it was unbelievably quiet.
Practically no vibrations. I couldn't hear it even on a hard surface.

It should be damn fast too.

barefootzero · Post by **barefootzero** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:20 pm

Follow Up Post

I know I hate it when people don't follow up after getting advice.

It turns out I was able to get Windows 7 working on my 2.5" IDE drive. Setting the drive to run as Ultra DMA 3 in the BIOS got it working. The drive is supposed to be compatible with UDMA5 but for some reason that was not working. UDMA4 also caused the system to crash on boot.

It is a 120GB Fujitsu drive. It is super quiet and very low power. I don't think anyone is going to run out and buy an old 2.5" IDE drive so I will skip the model number.