Difference between WD3000HLFS and WD3000GLFS

[GoodToGo]

I want to know what is the difference between these two drives? Can someone please help? This is the 300 GB velociraptor.

 

[AmberClad]

Afaik, the difference is that the older GLFS is attached to a heatsink that is not compliant with SATA standards as far as where the connectors are located. So they can't be used with swap racks that expect the connectors to be at a specific place on the back of the drive.

 

[GoodToGo]

Sorry for sounding like an utter n00b, but I am not using swap racks (I dont even know what they are). Can this be used with in a desktop and mounted normally?

 

[AmberClad]

Yep, you should be fine if you're just connecting them using regular SATA data and power cables.

It's an issue with swap racks because they have the data and power connectors at fixed positions and the back of the hard drive has to line up exactly with the rack's connector positions.

 

[GoodToGo]

Many thanks for your clarification

 

[pmokover]

Just to make sure I have this correct...

Is the HLFS the model that meets SATA standards and can be used in a PC with swap racks or a "standard" PC with no swap racks?

Peter

 

[Elixer]

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=495 = HLFS
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=459 = GLFS

Check the pics, it shows the difference.


Oh, either can be used on a desktop machine, it is just those that have the SATA backplane (ie, they are hooked up by direct connect, NOT a SATA cable) that the problem is seen.)

 

[pmokover]

it is just those that have the SATA backplane (ie, they are hooked up by direct connect, NOT a SATA cable) that the problem is seen.)

1. What problem?

2. I know the HLFS has the option of direct connet but can it also be connected by a standard SATA cable?

Thanks
Peter

 

[Elixer]

Yes, they can BOTH be connected via SATA cables.
Like was said, it is when you *don't* use SATA cables when the problem comes up.

 

[pmokover]

Elixer - OK, thanks for the clarification.

Is there ANY advantage to either model over the other in a standard PC (no backplane)? For example, someone on another forum thought that one model MIGHT have a better heatsink than the other??

Peter

 

[Elixer]

Originally posted by: pmokover
Elixer - OK, thanks for the clarification.

Is there ANY advantage to either model over the other in a standard PC (no backplane)? For example, someone on another forum thought that one model MIGHT have a better heatsink than the other??

Peter

To be honest, if it was me, and the backplane issue wasn't a factor, I would go with whatever is cheapest.

However, if you have a fan in front of the case, with normal drive mounts then it looks like the GLFS would be a good fit (air blows across drive, as in ||), and if you have a fan in front, and the 90 deg. bays, then HLFS (air blows from the sides, as in =). Though, I really don't think it will make that big of a difference if your case has good cooling.

 

[pmokover]

To be honest, if it was me, and the backplane issue wasn't a factor, I would go with whatever is cheapest.

It looks like the GLFS and HLFS are about the same price.

I just wanted to make sure either one will be OK in a non-backplane, standard PC with standard SATA cables environment and it looks like the answer is Yes.

Peter

 

[DarkRogue]

Besides this backplane thing, I believe the HLFS is also required if you want to shove it into a standard 3.5" SATA HD enclosure. My friend ran into this problem because the GLFS' connector was in a non-standard position, so would not fit into any enclosures. He bought the HLFS version and have had no problems shoving it into his Icy Dock.

Edit:
Otherwise, they're exactly the same drives, afaik. They just revised the SATA port positioning on the Icepak.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Elixer
However, if you have a fan in front of the case, with normal drive mounts then it looks like the GLFS would be a good fit (air blows across drive, as in ||), and if you have a fan in front, and the 90 deg. bays, then HLFS (air blows from the sides, as in =). Though, I really don't think it will make that big of a difference if your case has good cooling.

That's odd... I have a backplane compatible drive (has a little PCB that repositions the SATA ports) and I'm pretty sure it does not have the cross-fin style. I'll have to look at it again when I get home.

What I wonder is if these are cheaper because they don't have the heatsink?

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Zap
What I wonder is if these are cheaper because they don't have the heatsink?

I don't think I've seen the BLFS being sold at too many of the major eTailers. I just checked NewEgg this morning though, and the HLFS finally seems to be readily available at the price that the GLFS used to go for, pre-rebate. (Before, the HLFS seemed to go for around $250-$300.)

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Zap

What I wonder is if these are cheaper because they don't have the heatsink?

No difference or more. I was told they were more because they were server hard drives. [sic] :disgust:

Fine then! <storms off to find no. 1 torx> removes useless ice pick and mounts drive in 2.5" sas backplane where it SHOULD be. Warranty is void but who needs a warranty? These drives fit into the arm of a clay pigeon thrower perfectly should the need arise. :evil:

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
These drives fit into the arm of a clay pigeon thrower perfectly should the need arise. :evil:

Chicks with guns! Sounds like an anime series I once saw.

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: Elixer
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=495 = HLFS
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=459 = GLFS

Check the pics, it shows the difference.


Oh, either can be used on a desktop machine, it is just those that have the SATA backplane (ie, they are hooked up by direct connect, NOT a SATA cable) that the problem is seen.)

Looking at said pics, I see another difference. The HLFS has a bunch of what look like jumpers just to the right of the power connections that the GLFS lacks.

I know I've read that the Velociraptor couldn't be used in SATA 150 systems because it lacks the jumpers to "force" it to use SATA 150 detection instead of SATA 3.0...but that may well have been the GLFS drive the posters were referring to, which lacks any jumpers at all.

The HLFS does have jumpers, though. Could they allow the drive to be used on an SATA 150 mobo?