Anyone have WD Caviar Black HDD?

[spoon_]

I'm considering the 500GB version [64MB of cache] i.e. WD5003AZEX and wondering how noisy these hard drives actually are?

If you own any of the below drives please comment on noise levels!


Model # Interface Form Factor RPM Capacity Cache
WD2002FAEX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 2 TB 64 MB
WD1502FAEX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 1.5 TB 64 MB
WD1002FAEX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 1 TB 64 MB
WD5002AALX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 500 GB 32 MB
WD5003AZEX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 500 GB 64 MB


Thanks.

Adrian

[chrestomanci]

I have a 2gb one, not sure of the model number but I can check if you like.

Anyway, I can't say I have noticed the sound of either seeks or it spinning. On my system the fans are much louder. See the my system link for the rest of my system specs.

[ehhhhhhh]

I have used many of them before (500GB to 2TB models) as system drives and currently I have two 2TB Blacks in a nas.

I consider them as quiet and reliable drives. I had some Samsung, IBM and hitachi drives which were a lot louder.

[Macadee]

I have a WD1002FAEX, had it hard mounted direct to an alu drive cage and it was fairly noisy on seek, now it's isolated with rubber mounts & can't hear it at all.

[spoon_]

Thanks guys.

I had changed my mind, purely because I wanted the fastest mechanical drive possible - new Seagate with 1TB platters appears to be ticking the boxes (STX000DM001)!