What WD Raptor is the fastest?

[drewintheav]

What WD Raptor is really the fastest?

Is it the 36 GB WD360ADFD?

I know a lot of people think that the 150 GB raptor is the fastest.

But I think that the new 36 GB WD360ADFD may be the fastest.

Does anybody know for sure?

 

[Spikesoldier]

3rd gen 74's

or the 150gb one

 

[Baked]

The ones w/ 16MB cache, or WD1500ADFD. Goes for $200 a pop at newegg.com.

 

[drewintheav]

Hi Thanks for your response.

Did you know that the New 36 Gb Raptor (WD360ADFD) is based on the same drive mechanics as the Raptor 150 GB. It even has 16 MB cache. Notice the ADFD at the end of the model name. Since this drive is smaller it makes me wonder if it may be even faster than the Raptor 150 GB.

 

[Kirby64]

Originally posted by: drewintheav
Hi Thanks for your response.

Did you know that the New 36 Gb Raptor (WD360ADFD) is based on the same drive mechanics as the Raptor 150 GB. It even has 16 MB cache. Notice the ADFD at the end of the model name. Since this drive is smaller it makes me wonder if it may be even faster than the Raptor 150 GB.

It doesn't work that way. Since the platter size is 1 36GB platter on the 36GB version, the 150GB version uses 1 150GB platter(I presume?). Because of this, the higher the size, the faster the read is because theres more data packed into a smaller space, and it doesn't have to go around as far to read the same amount of data. Thus, the 150GB would be faster.*

Note*: This assumes that cache sizes and RPM speeds are the same, so don't attempt to say the 750GB Seagates are faster than raptors.

 

[drewintheav]

Has anybody come across a review or benchmarks comparing the NEW Raptor 36 GB against the Raptor 150 Gb? They are both ADFD models. The actual specs for cache as well as access times are exactly the same. I think the NEW 36 GB Raptor may be faster than the Raptor 150 GB.

 

[JAG87]

no.

the 150GB is the fastest. It has two 75GB platters, which beats any other raptor in density.

I believe the 74GB ADFD with 16mb cache beats it in like 2 benchmarks out of many by a hair, and the reason is really unknown. It all depends where the files are written on the platter. Overal the 150GB is fastest.

 

[Kirby64]

Originally posted by: drewintheav
Has anybody come across a review or benchmarks comparing the NEW Raptor 36 GB against the Raptor 150 Gb? They are both ADFD models. The actual specs for cache as well as access times are exactly the same. I think the NEW 36 GB Raptor may be faster than the Raptor 150 GB.

I already explained. The 36GB won't be faster. the 150GB has more space in a smaller area, thus every revolution it goes over more data than the 36GB would, thus the 150GB is faster.

 

[n7]

Newest 74 GB is slightly better than the 150, which is better than the 36.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Kirby64

Originally posted by: drewintheav
Hi Thanks for your response.

Did you know that the New 36 Gb Raptor (WD360ADFD) is based on the same drive mechanics as the Raptor 150 GB. It even has 16 MB cache. Notice the ADFD at the end of the model name. Since this drive is smaller it makes me wonder if it may be even faster than the Raptor 150 GB.

It doesn't work that way. Since the platter size is 1 36GB platter on the 36GB version, the 150GB version uses 1 150GB platter(I presume?). Because of this, the higher the size, the faster the read is because theres more data packed into a smaller space, and it doesn't have to go around as far to read the same amount of data. Thus, the 150GB would be faster.*

Note*: This assumes that cache sizes and RPM speeds are the same, so don't attempt to say the 750GB Seagates are faster than raptors.

I would assume 2x74GB platters.

 

[drewintheav]

Hey does anybody have any actual reviews or benchmarks testing the NEW "ADFD" version of the 36 GB Raptor to support their suppositions?

If all of the NEW Raptor drives are using the same platters internally, then how can you assume that the largest drive will be the fastest?

If they have the same platters, then how can you say the 150 GB Raptor has a more "dense" platter and therefore faster performance?

Can someone explain to me how having 2 separate 75 GB platters affects the density of the drive? It seems to me that if a 150 GB has 2 separate 75 GB platters then that is not more dense than a 74 GB Raptor with only one platter. If I am understanding you correctly you are suggesting that if more data can be stored in the same surface area then the drive would be faster. But then you are saying that there are two 75 GB platters in the 150 GB Raptor.

I still think that the 36 GB ADFD may be faster than the 150 GB because they all seem to be using the same platters. Does anybody know if the NEW 36 GB Raptor is using 1/2 of a 75 GB platter, or does it have it's own 36 GB sized platter that is unique to itself.

 

[JAG87]

Ok, my last reply, if you get it good, if you dont too bad.

36GB raptor = ONE 36GB platter
74GB raptor = ONE 74GB platter
150GB raptor = TWO 75GB platters

ASSUMING ALL 16MB cache

the 150GB will be faster at EVERYTHING because it has higher density platter (75GB vs 74 vs 36) but mostly because it has 2 reading heads moving at the same time as opposed to the other drives which have one. The 74GB drive somes very close to it in benchmarks (the 150GB generally performs 10-15% better), and actually beats it sometimes in latency benchmarks (like I told you, it all depends where the files are placed on the platter). The 36GB drive falls far below because it has much lower platter density. Even thou it spins at 10k it only comes across so much data.

Think of it this way, if you have a saw moving at 10k RPM, and you have 100 pieces of wood to cut, which way are you gonna get them done faster, by cutting them one at a time, or 2 at a time? Double density = double the data the heads spin on top of.

 

[modestninja]

Originally posted by: drewintheav
Hey does anybody have any actual reviews or benchmarks testing the NEW "ADFD" version of the 36 GB Raptor to support their suppositions?

If all of the NEW Raptor drives are using the same platters internally, then how can you assume that the largest drive will be the fastest?

If they have the same platters, then how can you say the 150 GB Raptor has a more "dense" platter and therefore faster performance?

Can someone explain to me how having 2 separate 75 GB platters affects the density of the drive? It seems to me that if a 150 GB has 2 separate 75 GB platters then that is not more dense than a 74 GB Raptor with only one platter. If I am understanding you correctly you are suggesting that if more data can be stored in the same surface area then the drive would be faster. But then you are saying that there are two 75 GB platters in the 150 GB Raptor.

I still think that the 36 GB ADFD may be faster than the 150 GB because they all seem to be using the same platters. Does anybody know if the NEW 36 GB Raptor is using 1/2 of a 75 GB platter, or does it have it's own 36 GB sized platter that is unique to itself.

Since you aren't listening to anyone and seem to just want someone to say it (even it if isn't true), then here it is:

The 36gb Raptor is waaayyyy faster than every other hard drive made. If fact it is faster to access data on it than it is to access it from RAM. That's how awesome the new NEW "ADFD" version of the 36 GB Raptor is.

Satisfied?

 

[drewintheav]

Does anybody have any benchmarks or reviews of the NEW 36 GB Raptor (ADFD)?

Does anybody know if they are actually using different platters in the various models? Does the Raptor 150 use different platters than the Raptor 74 etc.?

It seems like people are assuming things but no one has provided any links to any actual reviews or benchmarks.

Does Western Digital actually use 3 different platters for the 3 different models? Or do they use the same platter and just format it differently thus spreading out the data more, which would make the 36 GB Raptor the slowest in theory as far as bandwith or throughput goes. I think as far as access speed is concerned that the 36 Gb Raptor might still be the fastest in theory because it might have a smaller surface area overall for the actuator to travel over.

 

[bob4432]

have ocd do we?

 

[Bobthelost]

I think you don't have a clue about hard drives, which is not a crime/sin, but you would be much better off reading theintroductory guide to Hard drive technology on the storage review site than asking questions here that you don't have the background knowledge to understand the answers to.

If you're too lazy here's the short version:

The 74 uses one platter of 74GB, the 150 uses two of these platters, identical platters, just two of them. I don't know about the 36GB drive, nor do i really care. However they do it it's not going to be as quick as even the 74 model.

 

[Rubycon]

If the 36GB uses a short stroked 74GB platter it will be the fastest.

Of course you have to remember it will fill up faster and not have the advantage the larger, later revision models have.

 

[drewintheav]

Thanks MS Dawn! This is exactly what I was wondering about.

It seems like people are quick to assume that the flagship 150 GB product would be the fastest. But this is not always the case. I do understand what you are saying about how the smaller Raptor will fill up faster. I was thinking about getting 2 or three of these to do a raid 0 or raid 5 configuration for the OS and then to get a large drive for storage.

Does anybody know what the fastest largest drive is?

Also does anybody have any real world or benchmark data for the NEW Raptor 36 GB ADFD version?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: drewintheav
Thanks MS Dawn! This is exactly what I was wondering about.

It seems like people are quick to assume that the flagship 150 GB product would be the fastest. But this is not always the case. I do understand what you are saying about how the smaller Raptor will fill up faster. I was thinking about getting 2 or three of these to do a raid 0 or raid 5 configuration for the OS and then to get a large drive for storage.

Does anybody know what the fastest largest drive is?

Also does anybody have any real world or benchmark data for the NEW Raptor 36 GB ADFD version?

you did notice she ms dawn said "IF". although i have no reason to questin ms dawn as her(?) knowledge is vast, you may want to find a concrete answer before you assume this is correct.

and running raid 0 is just asking for problems but since you seem to have ocd and get extreme tunnel vision trying to force your views on everbody until they say "you are correct" i doubt you will care. even if ms dawn is correct you would be better off by going with a single 74 or 150GB raptor than a bunch of smaller 36GB ones in raid 0 - do a little reading an educate yourself.

the fastest largest drive would be the 7200.10 segate @ 750GB.

 

[JAG87]

It does not use a short stroked 74GB platter. That would be more expensive for WD to manufacture. It uses the same 36GB platter that the old 36GB raptor used.

This is what everyone is trying to get through your head, MS Dawn just gave you an example of how the 36GB raptor might reach the same speed as the 74GB, but thats not how it works.

The largest and fastest drive is the Seagate Cheetah U320, 300GB, 10000 RPM.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

16mb 74gb> 16mb 150gb> 8mb 74gb> 8mb 36gb

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: JAG87
It does not use a short stroked 74GB platter. That would be more expensive for WD to manufacture. It uses the same 36GB platter that the old 36GB raptor used.

This is what everyone is trying to get through your head, MS Dawn just gave you an example of how the 36GB raptor might reach the same speed as the 74GB, but thats not how it works.

The largest and fastest drive is the Seagate Cheetah U320, 300GB, 10000 RPM.

if we are talking scsi i would go the 15k.4 cheeata, u320, 300GB 15k

 

[JAG87]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: JAG87
It does not use a short stroked 74GB platter. That would be more expensive for WD to manufacture. It uses the same 36GB platter that the old 36GB raptor used.

This is what everyone is trying to get through your head, MS Dawn just gave you an example of how the 36GB raptor might reach the same speed as the 74GB, but thats not how it works.

The largest and fastest drive is the Seagate Cheetah U320, 300GB, 10000 RPM.

if we are talking scsi i would go the 15k.4 cheeata, u320, 300GB 15k

forgot about that one...

 

[brikis98]

From storagereview's leaderboard:

Desktop / Single-User : Western Digital Raptor WD1500

WD's newest Raptor delivers the best single-user performance one can buy regardless of interface and spindle speed.

You can read a review of this hard drive here and there's benchmarks a few pages in. for the most part, the 150GB raptor dominates.

Edit: another article with benchmarks.

 

[drewintheav]

Just to let you know...

NONE of those benchmarks seem to be testing the NEW (740ADFD) 74 GB drive with 16 mb cache or the NEW (360ADFD) 36 GB drive with 16 mb cache. In fact they all seem to be testing the 150 GB Raptor against the older 74 GB and 36 GB versions of the Raptor that used 8 MB cache and slower drive electronics as per the access times.

I am talking about the NEW ADFD versions of the Raptor that come in 74 GB as well as 36 GB versions and use 16 MB cache. The names are as follows: WD740ADFD, WD360ADFD.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=245&language=en