Need help choosing between Seagate & WD 750GB drives

[Stargazer77]

I'm building a new rig to replace my old (8 Years).

This is what i plan to build:

CPU: Core2Duo - E8500
MOBO: Asus Rampage Formula - X48
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15)
HD: (Raid-0) 2 x 750GB SATA II
OS: Windows XP Pro 32 Bit
Media: Samsung SH-S203P/BEBN
Case: Antec P182 SE
PSU: Corsair HX620W
Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS 512MB
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme with 2x Noctua NH-U12P in Push-Pull config
Soundcard: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional
24" Dell ULTRASHARP 2408WFP

I want to run two 750GB Sata-2 drives in Raid-0 for higher performance NOT as a backup solution (Will backup to external HDD and DVD)

This is so i can run the OS and Apps on the high performance drives and save my data to a slower Big Dumb Disk "BDD"

I'm torn between Western Digital and Seagate! They both offer a special "Enterprise" or "Raid Edition" version of their 750GB drives which i have decided to go after since reliability and performance are my primary goals. I know this is not the most cost effective drives from a cost/GB perspective but i'm willing to pay more for reliability.

The choice is between:

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 - 750GB SATA-2 32MB 7200RPM (ST3750330NS)

Western Digital RE2 - 750GB SATA-2 16MB 7200RPM (WD7500AYYS)

Which has the best performance? Lowest Noise level?

I realise that both drives are of high quality and they both run silent, this makes it so hard to pick a winner!
My primary need when it comes to HDDs is reliability, high performance and silence... In that order.

I appreciate your feedback on this


Seagate Barracuda ES.2 Links

Reviews:

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 1TB Hard Drive
http://www.hothardware.com/Art...%5F1TB%5FHard%5FDrive/

WD Caviar & RE2 GreenPower 1TB compared to Barracuda ES.2 1TB
http://www.hothardware.com/Art...TB_Hard_Drives/?page=1

Western Digital RE2 Links:

Reviews:

http://www.tweaktown.com/revie..._hard_drive/index.html

http://www.hothardware.com/Art...r%5FRE2%5F750%5FGB%5F/

 

[Tweakin]

I would suggest you look at the WD 6400AAKS. It is quicker then the current generation of 750GB drives out there. We have a thread going that has some real time results from many hard drives, you may want to look at this also.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i would also take the 640gb drive. preferably in Samsung F1 form

 

[Stargazer77]

Thanks for the suggestion guys!

I found THIS Review that made me a beliver

It beats both the Seagate Barracuda ES.2 and Western Digital RE2 drives. And in many tests it even beats the Samsung's Spinpoint F1!

I have already placed an order for two WD 6400AAKS :thumbsup:

Looking forward putting these in a Raid-0 config :heart:

 

[tphss]

Personally I just purchased a Barracuda11 750GB yesterday. Go for the 640GB, oh you already did.. Congrats!