Western Digital AAKS - 500/750GB vs. 320/640 GB noise

[alexb]

I was looking through specs posted on WD website and noticed an interesting thing:

WD SE16 750GB and 500GB
Acoustics
Idle Mode 28 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 33 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 29 dBA (average)


WD SE16 640 GB and 320GB
Acoustics
Idle Mode 25 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 29 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 26 dBA (average)


Why there's a difference in noise characteristics? Are they totally different drives? different platter design or motor?

Note: as of today, the 640GB is removed from their website?!

[KenAF]

The 640GB WD6400AAKS and [updated] 320GB WD3200AAKS are based on Western Digital's new, higher density 320GB platter. The older 500Gb and 750Gb versions are based on <200GB platters.

The new 320GB product code is WD3200AAKS-00B3A0. The B3 tells you that it is the new version. Manufacturing on this unit began on January 21.

I just got my 320GB WD3200AAKS-00B3A0 today and it produces noticeably less noise than my older 750GB WD7500AAKS. It produces even less noise than my Samsung HD501LJ.

[Ace of Spades]

may I ask where you ordered this new 320GB model? I am very interested in purchasing this drive for storage usage. Thanks!

[KenAF]

may I ask where you ordered this new 320GB model? I am very interested in purchasing this drive for storage usage. Thanks!

As I noted in another thread, I got them from this ebay seller.

When you submit payment with Paypal, specify in the note that you want the new WD3200AAKS-00B3A0 version.

[Tomson]

KenAF: If comparing this new series to GP line, is the noise level of both drives the same, or is the GP still less noisy?

[KenAF]

KenAF: If comparing this new series to GP line, is the noise level of both drives the same, or is the GP still less noisy?

Unfortunately, I don't have a GP drive in my PC to compare.

[Edwood]

The 640GB WD6400AAKS and [updated] 320GB WD3200AAKS are based on Western Digital's new, higher density 320GB platter. The older 500Gb and 750Gb versions are based on <200GB platters.

The new 320GB product code is WD3200AAKS-00B3A0. The B3 tells you that it is the new version. Manufacturing on this unit began on January 21.

I just got my 320GB WD3200AAKS-00B3A0 today and it produces noticeably less noise than my older 750GB WD7500AAKS. It produces even less noise than my Samsung HD501LJ.

I read that the access speeds were quite slow.

http://www.planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/sho ... p?t=332031

Do you notice significant speed difference (for better or worse) compared to your old WD7500AAKS?

-Ed

[Edwood]

Oh well, I placed an order for two 320GB WD3200AAKS B3 rev.

I guess I'll find out for myself.

-Ed

[Otter]

I read that the access speeds were quite slow.

http://www.planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/sho ... p?t=332031

Do you notice significant speed difference (for better or worse) compared to your old WD7500AAKS?

-Ed

The current WD drives never win win the seek or access time trophy, but they do very well in other benchmarks and their real world performance is very competitive. Check out these tests from this speed-oriented sites below. The first one also features the WD7500AAKS, and the 640 usually edges out the 750. Given the relatively small contribution of the hard drive performance to overall system performance in most situations, though, I doubt many people would notice the difference.

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/14380/1
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdo ... i=3269&p=2
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... 238,00.asp