Which 80 GB Drive

[Vegito]

I'm looking to purchase a drive and on new egg they have

Maxtor D740X 7200 80 GB
Seagate Baracuda IV 7200 80 GB
WD 7200 80GB


All similar 8.x seek time and 2mb cache...

I'm kinda sick of waiting for serial ata drives... so which do you guys think I should get ?

 

[John]

What are you looking for in a HDD?

[*]speed (d740x fluid bearing)
[*]low noise (maxtor and barracuda IV)
[*]both (d740x fluid bearing)
[*]low temp (D740x & WD)
[*]run of the mill (WD)

 

[Athlon4all]

I'd lean towards the D740X, but ever think about the WD800JB??? Its $130 at Newegg, and its supposed to be great.

 

[John]

Any good reviews on the 800JB? Google.com revealed zilch.

 

[Alex]

i was just about to suggest the WD special edition drive with the 8mb cache... but it isnt in your list...

i like WD....

 

[GrumpyMan]

<< i was just about to suggest the WD special edition drive with the 8mb cache... but it isnt in your list... i like WD.... >>



So do I. A fast drive and somewhat reliable.

 

[Shagga]

Just installed a Maxtor D740X 7200 80 GB yesterday. So far so good, and it is quiet. Thumbs up all round.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Yes, I'm very tempted to try one of those fluid bering drives.

 

[John]

<< Yes, I'm very tempted to try one of those fluid bering drives. >>



All of the Seagate Barracuda IV's use fluid bearings, and Maxtor gives you a choice when buying the D740X. The PN has an L instead of a J.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Thanks for the info..

I knew I misspelled bearing. :Q

 

[SteelCityFan]

I just installed the 800JB. Wow, what a difference over my old 34GXP.

Just go to storage review for a review of the 1200JB. It will be just as fast (even though their news claims the 80GB is 3 platters and not the faster 2. I checked WD's website. It is using the same 40GB platters as the 120GB and 100GB drives.

 

[John]

How can the 100JB be using a 40GB platter?

 

[SteelCityFan]

They only use one side.

 

[DrZone]

<<

<< Yes, I'm very tempted to try one of those fluid bering drives. >>



All of the Seagate Barracuda IV's use fluid bearings, and Maxtor gives you a choice when buying the D740X. The PN has an L instead of a J. >>



Are the maxtor fluid bearing drives reliable ? I heard alot of people are RMA'ing them.

 

[Pariah]

"It is using the same 40GB platters as the 120GB and 100GB drives."

The 100GB version is using 3 33GB platters. The 80 and 120 use 40GB platters.

 

[SteelCityFan]

<< "It is using the same 40GB platters as the 120GB and 100GB drives."

The 100GB version is using 3 33GB platters. The 80 and 120 use 40GB platters. >>



That is not what I heard.

The 100GB drive is using 2 double sided 40Gb platters and one single sided 40GB platter.

the 80GB drive is using 2 - 40GB platters.

 

[Pariah]

The 100GB version was the first "SE" drive to be released, before WD had released any 40GB/platter drives. I don't know what stat page you are looking at, but WD's configuration tab for the drive says 6 read heads, which obviously indicates 3 platters. If they eventually migrate the drive to 40GB platters, then you are correct, it would be 3 platters, one only using one side.

 

[SteelCityFan]

Someone informed me on here, but in another thread that the 100GB drive was using 2 full 40GB platters, and 1 side of another.

 

[GrumpyMan]

<< Someone informed me on here, but in another thread that the 100GB drive was using 2 full 40GB platters, and 1 side of another. >>



You are correct.

 

[Pariah]

WDC WB1000JB

 

[Vegito]

I already have a d740x fluid bearing one.. i dont really care but i like reliability... i was thinking of the 8mb wd.. but is it really that much better ? i guess i'll go read..

 

[HepDude]

The only time that I've ever noticed a significant difference between HDs, in use, was when I first installed an 8mb cache HD.

 

[DrZone]

<< I already have a d740x fluid bearing one.. i dont really care but i like reliability... i was thinking of the 8mb wd.. but is it really that much better ? i guess i'll go read.. >>



How is the noise level ? and how long have u been using it for?

 

[docgonzo]

I am using two D740X, 80 gigs in a raid configuration for about 2 months now. Have not had any problems. They make a different sound then the WD's when they search, but I cannot really even hear them over my chasis fan, they are very quiet. I would recomend them, but I would refer to John's post earilier, "...Maxtor gives you a choice when buying the D740X. The PN has an L instead of a J." Make sure that the Part Number has an "L" in it and not the "J" or you will not be getting the Fluid Bearing... The ones with the fluid bearings are assembled in Japan. I got mine from New Egg, the Fluid bearings are not always listed under the description, so be ware.

Although, that 8m cache would be suite.

 

[Vegito]

I had it when it frist came out.. where 80gb was 219.. i say for a while.. it does sound different.. i can't describe it.. but the thing is I have a lot of machine in the room with like 4-5 fan so I can't tell how loud it is.. but it must be quiet... i only test it once in a quiet room and it didn't sound too bad.. but i have bad hearing anyway.. so i'm not a good judge...


it looks like i'm getting the wd 8mb cache ones... does wd have hassel free warranty ?

I like maxtor because they never ask question and I gotten all good drives back... usually drives fail towards the end of warranty period