Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100GB SATA notebook drive

Our usual noise-focused review of a new Momentus 2.5″ HDD model from Seagate. This one is 7200 RPM, with 8 MB cache, SATA & NCQ and still very quiet. Pretty pricey at this point, but that’s the norm for any fast cutting-edge component.

October 31, 2005 by Devon
Cooke

There was some excitement when a sample of Seagate’s new Momentus 7200.1 landed at SPCR. Notebook drives tend to be quieter than desktop drives, which is why we’ve been recommending (and using) them for the quietest desktop systems.
By most metrics, notebook drives generally do not perform as well as desktop drives. A big reason for
the performance lag is spindle speed,
which affects latency: Most notebook drives spin at 5,400 RPM or slower, while
standard desktop drives spin 25% faster at 7,200 RPM. The
Momentus 7200.1 is Seagate’s first notebook drive with a 7,200 RPM spindle speed.

It’s a safe bet that the target market is the fast growing segment of PC users who are migrating to large, widescreen desktop-replacement portables as their main rigs. This product category emerged perhaps 18 months ago, and is now going strong, especially among gamers.

You know what we’re talking about: >10 lb behemoths with Athlon FX57 processors, gigabytes of RAM, 17" monitors and so on, for gamers who want it all along with mobility for LAN parties and playing even in bed or on the shady porch. There’s also a growing class of users who work with their PC, but want greater freedom to work on their PC where they want, whether its a corporate office, or small / home business. With the support of inexpensive wireless networks, many of these users are opting for high performance, but still very portable notebook computers and foregoing the conventional desktop PC altogether. Hard drive makers are just starting to introduce higher performance 7,200 RPM notebook drives for this growth market.

We’ve always tended to pooh-pooh typical performance metrics and marginal improvements on benchmarks, as they rarely translate to dramatic improvements in user experience. But it’s true that improving a key bottleneck component can have a genuine, positive impact on user experience. A 7200 RPM drive has the inherent advantage of reduced latency over a 5400 RPM drive.

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

Our sample 7200.1 is a SATA version that features Native Command Queuing, one of the most common
"optional" features that is included on SATA drives. NCQ will be a
standard feature of the next "official" SATA spec, SATA 2.5. In spite
of its ubiquity, NCQ offers very little additional performance over a non-NCQ
drive in a notebook context. It also offers no performance gain in a desktop system unless the drive controller supports NCQ.

The 7,200 RPM spindle speed and the 8 MB cache offer more performance improvements than either SATA or NCQ. As mentioned in the introduction,
the faster spindle speed is rare in a notebook drive. 8 MB cache is becoming mainstream even on notebook drives,
but there are still plenty of drives that still use only 2 MB. Unlike NCQ, usage
patterns that benefit from a larger cache are not rare for laptop users,
as any application with a large data set should be able to take advantage of
it.

Seagate boasts about the high shock tolerance of the 7200.1, but they seem
a little confused about just how shock resistant it is. The official specs on
the PDF datasheet listed 900 Gs, while the official specs in HTML form quoted
800 Gs, so it seems like a tossup which is truer. In practical terms, the difference is
less than 15% and probably not significant. An accident that causes damage will probably do the same damage regardless of which spec is correct.

SPECIFICATIONS

The specifications for our Momentus 7200.1 sample are provided in the table below, along with those for the previously tested Momentus 5400.2 and also for a Barracuda 7200.9, a new desktop drive that we have not tested. The desktop drive specs are listed simply for comparison. Please note that capacity,
cache size, platter number, interface, and even performance vary from model
to model even within a single product line. Acoustics and power dissipation
also vary depending on the number of platters; smaller capacity
drives tend to have fewer platters, produce less noise and use less
power.

Seagate’s specifications mark the Momentus 7200.1 as a fast notebook drive.
The faster spindle speed allows an automatic 1.4 ms decrease in latency; the 4.2 ms cited is the same as in the new Barracuda 7200.9 desktop 3.5" model. Average seek is also quicker than its slower spinning relative, but again still 2 ms slower than the 8.5 ms of the desktop drive.

The rated power is slightly higher than usual for a notebook drive, especially the seek
power consumption. The acoustic noise is specified to be only 0.1 Bel
higher than the Momentus 5400.2 120GB drive we tested in August, which, again, is surprisingly small. But what’s interesting is that the noise spec is actually higher than that cited for the similar capacity Barracuda 7200.9. Not having heard the Barracuda 7200.9, however, we’re not in a position to comment on perceived differences.

TEST RESULTS

Our sample was tested according to our standard
hard drive testing methodology. We focus mostly on
HDD noise, and great effort is taken to ensure it is comprehensively measured
and described. Performance is not tested, for reasons discussed in detail in
the methodology article.

It was compared against our reference notebook drive,
Samsung MP0402H, profiled in a recent
notebook drive review.

Two forms of hard drive noise are measured:

Airborne acoustics

Vibration-induced noise.

These two types of noise impact the subjective
perception of hard drive noise differently depending on how and where the drive
is mounted.

Both forms of noise are evaluated objectively and
subjectively. Both the subjective and objective analyses are essential to understanding
the acoustics of the drives. Airborne acoustics are measured using a professional
caliber SLM. Measurements are taken at a distance of one meter above the top
of the drive using an A-weighted filter. Vibration noise is rated on a scale
of 1-10 by comparing against our standard reference drives.

Unfortunately, AAM (Automatic Acoustic Management) is not supported
as a user-configurable option on the Momentus 7200.1, which means that our standard
means of generating seek noise via the AAM test function in Hitachi’s
HDD Feature Tool could not be used. Instead, seek noise was generated
by copying a large file set within the drive. Unfortunately, this task does
not require as much random seeking as the AAM test, so seek noise was not as
constant as usual. To compensate, we spent more time than usual listening to
and measuring the seek noise.

A final caveat: As with most reviews, our comments
are relevant to the sample we tested. Your sample may not be identical. There
are always some sample variances, and manufacturers also make changes without
telling everyone.

Ambient noise at the time of testing was 18 dBA.

At 21 dBA@1m, the 7200.1 was slighter louder than most of the other notebook drives we’ve tested.
The noise level was roughly on par with a quiet desktop
drive, such as the Samsung Spinpoint P80. The quality of the noise was
similar as well: Primarily, broadband air turbulence (whoosh) with a small amount of motor hum.
There was no high frequency noise to speak of; no whine was present. By comparison, the Samsung MP0402H had much less
broadband noise, but it produced a very slight high frequency whine perceptible from certain angles.

The level of vibration was also slightly higher than other tested notebook drives. It still qualifies as a low
vibration drive when desktop drives are considered. The vibration level was
very similar to the reference Samsung MP0402H drive, and I could not decide which had lower
vibration even after several direct A/B comparisons.

Because of the high rotation speed, the 7200.1 vibrates at a higher frequency
than most other notebook drives. The resonant frequency was also higher because
of this: 120 Hz instead of 90 Hz. Because human hearing is more sensitive at
120 Hz than at 90 Hz, the vibration noise from the 7200.1 seemed
a little higher than the MP0402H even though the vibration levels were almost
identical. The low vibrational hum is the same pitch as an ordinary 7,200 RPM
desktop drive.

The AAM status cannot be changed for the 7200.1, but this hardly matters as
seeks are almost inaudible. Contrary to the measured noise level, I could barely
distinguish the seek noise from the idle noise at a distance of one meter. Soft-mounting
may help the seek noise, since I could clearly pick out the seek noise once
the drive was placed on our vibration test box, but they were still quite muted.
Although the seeks of the 7200.1 were a little louder than those of the MP0402H, they seemed quieter subjectively because they were closer
to the idle noise level. They were also softer, with less high frequency noise
and a less percussive "attack".

Probably because of its higher spindle speed, the power consumption was higher
than other notebook drives we’ve measured. The idle power of 1.7W is
a little more than twice that of the MP0402H. Likewise, the
peak power consumption of seeks was 3.7W, watt higher than the Samsung
drive.

2.5" HDD NOISE COMPARISON
Drive Model (linked to review)	SPL Idle / AAM / Seek (dBA@1m)	Vibration 1-10 (10 = no vibration)	Subjective Notes
UNIT UNDER REVIEW: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 ST910021AS	21 / – / 22-23	8	Seagate’s high performance notebook drive, with a 7,200 RPM spindle speed that translates into seek times approaching desktop HDDs. There were increases in turbulence noise (at idle) and power consumption. Subjective noise quality was excellent, but the level was closer to the best desktop drives than the super quiet Samsung MP0402H. The primary spin noise was at a slightly more audible 120 Hz rather than 90 Hz for 5400 RPM drives. SATA interface makes it very desktop-friendly, w/no need for adapters.
Seagate Momentus 5400.2 ST9120821AS Review: August 9, 2005	20 / – / 20-21	9	This sample was way better than our previous Momentus 5400, too close to the Samsung MP0402H to crown either drive as low noise champion. Idle noise had slightly more "wind noise" than the Samsung but no high frequency noise at all. Although AAM is not supported, seeks were completely inaudible when placed on soft foam. Consumed a bit more power than most notebook drives. SATA interface is nice.
Western Digital Scorpio Review: June 5, 2005	20 / 21 / 21	7-9	This sample’s acoustics belongs somewhere between the Samsung notebook drives and the Seagate Barracuda IV. Idle noise was mainly a low frequency motor hum with little high frequency whine. Seeks were almost too quiet to notice, and sounded mostly like a low rumble. AAM had no effect, but it would be hard to improve the seeks anyway. Vibration ranged from the level of the Barracuda IV to below the Samsung MP0402H.
Fujitsu MHT2080BH Review: June 5, 2005	22 / 23-24 / 23-24	9	Idle noise was rather disappointing, sounding undamped and louder than the Barracuda IV. Seek noise was about average for a notebook drive, rising about 1-2 dBA/1m above idle. This sample had the lowest vibration of any drive tested. May avoid the intermittent clicking problem common with notebook drives because it waits for 10-15 seconds after a seek before unloading the heads. Consumed ~0.2W more than other notebook drives. Very nice SATA interface.
Samsung MP0402H (Current quiet 2.5" reference drive) Review: Dec 23, 2004	17 / 18 / 19-20	8	The acoustics of this drive were virtually identical to the Fujitsu MHT2040AT, a considerably slower 4200 rpm drive and the quietest we’ve encountered. The Samsung was extremely quiet, with very little if any high frequency noise. It had minimal vibration, but placing it on soft foam did reduce low freq. noise audibly. The unit used in the test PC was suspended in elastic string and mostly surrounded by soft but dense foam. Seek noise was somewhat more audible than the 1 dBA gain suggests, but very soft.
Hitachi Travelstar 5K80 Review: Dec 23, 2004	19 / – / 20	–	The Hitachi came very close to the Samsung, but had a slightly sharper and higher pitched sound, with perhaps a touch more vibration as well. The seek noise was a touch louder too. When inside even a very quiet desktop PC, the slightly higher noise level of this drive over the Samsung may not be audible. The performance was superior, according to SiSoftware Sandra 2005, and also subjectively.
Toshiba MK6022GAX Review: April 28, 2004	22 / – / –	–	Slightly louder than the Seagate Barracuda IV single platter 3.5" reference hard drive. The noise signature had the broadband shhhh quality exhibited by the Samsung SP 3.5" drives, but higher in pitch, a bit like the Seagate. A trace of whine, but not like the Seagate Momentus. Seek noise was only moderately louder than idle, perhaps by 3 dBA. Vibration is higher than any of the 4200rpm drives; similar to the Momentus. Performance seemed quite speedy, as it should be with 16 MB cache and 5400rpm, but inconsistent results with all the benchmarks tried stopped me from publishing results.
Seagate Momentus ST94811A Review: March 8, 2004	24 / – / –	–	This Momentus sample had a terrible constant "pure" tone somewhere in the 6~10KHz range. It dropped 2-3 dBA in level when the listener or the mic faced the edge of the drive because of directionality of the high frequency whine. Seek noise was substantially higher, probably 3~5 dBA. Vibration was much lower than any 3.5" drive, but higher than either of the 4200rpm drives tried. A real disappointment, but it did perform about as fast as or faster than the Seagate Barracuda-IV.
Fujitsu MHT2040AT Review: March 8, 2004	16 / – / –	–	The only noise maker in the Mappit A4F PC, which seemed virtually inaudible to me. The noise is not inaudible, but very low and soft, easily dismissed in the ambient noise of all but the quietest spaces. There is no high pitched whine to speak of, and the seek noise does not seem more than maybe 2 dBA higher than idle. It is the slowest performer of all the drives here. Extremely low vibration.
Toshiba MK4025GAS Review: March 8, 2004	16 / – / –	–	This 8 MB cache 4200 RPM drive offers better performance than 2 MB cache 4200 rpm drives, and it is identical in both idle and seek noise to the Fujitsu above. Extremely low vibration.
Quiet Reference 3.5" Desktop Drives
Seagate Barracuda IV ST340016A Grandaddy of all quiet drives	21 / 23 / 25-26	6	In idle, it remains the quietest of all 3.5" drives. This sample is almost 2 years old, but seems unchanged in noise. There may be a touch of high frequency whine but it is very low in level, and easily obscured when mounted in a PC case. Seek is considerably higher, possibly as much as 5~6 dBA. Low vibration, but MUCH higher than any of the notebook drives.
Samsung SP0802N (Nidec motor) (Current quiet 3.5" reference drive)	21 / 23-24 / 25-26	4	The idle noise is a touch higher, and its seek may actually be lower than the Seagate B-IV. Similar vibration level as the B-IV, but there are reports of some samples exhibiting much higher vibration levels. This is cured by HDD decouple mounting (suspension in elastic material or placement on soft foam), which is virtually mandatory for a truly quiet PC anyway.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Audio recordings were made of the drives and are presented here
in MP3 format. The recordings below contains ten seconds of idle noise, followed
by ten seconds of seek noise with AAM enabled and ten seconds more with AAM
disabled. Because the Seagate does not support AAM, the AAM portion of the recording
was omitted, so for this drive only, the recording is only twenty seconds long.

Keep in mind that the audio recordings paint only part of the
acoustic picture; vibration noise is not recorded, and drives often sound different
depending on the angle from which they are heard.

Seagate
Momentus 7200.1 ST910021AS (Idle: 21 / Seek: 22-23 dBA/1m)

Reference Comparatives:

Seagate
Momentus 5400.2 ST9120821AS (Idle: 20 / Seek: 20-21 dBA/1m)

Samsung
MP0402H (Idle: 17 / AAM: 18 / Seek: 19-20 dBA/1m)

Western
Digital Scorpio WD800VE (Idle: 20 / AAM: 21 / Seek: 21 dBA/1m)

Seagate
Barracuda IV ST340016A (Idle: 21 / AAM: 23 / Seek: 25-26 dBA/1m)

Samsung
Spinpoint P80 SP0802N, Nidec Motor (Idle: 21 / AAM: 23-24 / Seek: 25-26 dBA/1m)

Nexus 92mm
case fan @ 5V (17 dBA/1m) Reference

CONCLUSIONS

The 7200.1 is an ambitious notebook drive. Aside from its 2.5" form factor, it is closer
to a desktop drive than a notebook drive. Judging by Seagate’s performance specifications,
it should be faster than almost every other notebook drive. Our
noise and power testing showed that it’s also a bit louder and a touch more power
hungry. While its seek performance is a little slower than most
desktop drives, its noise level is on par with the very quietest desktop drives.The level of vibration is substantially lower than that of any 3.5" desktop drive.

For most users, it doesn’t really make sense to buy the 7200.1 for a desktop
system. With careful selection, a desktop drive that’s suspension mounted is likely to perform better
and probably be just about as quiet. The 7200.1 will consume less power, but the 4-5W difference between
it and a desktop drive is not thermally significant in a full size system. In
addition, the current price of any 80~120 GB 7200 RPM desktop drive is under US$100, a far cry from the current ~US$320 of the 100GB Momentus 7200.1.

The 7200.1 should find a market in those who use the high performance
laptops. The high-end market can bear high prices, and the 7200.1 brings something
that few competing products offer: Near-desktop performance in a 2.5" laptop-compatible
form factor.

Many thanks to Seagate
for the Momentus 7200.1 sample.

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