Hard drives

[Robert]

I cannot afford two at the moment.

[TooNice]

The cost per GB is very close - which is quite unusual considering that 1TB is still flagship capacity (and usually command a large premium). Comes down how fast/slowly you fill your HD - if you think it will last until 1.5-2TB drives are released at current 1TB drive cost, then it's not a big deal to go for the smaller capacity. Otherwise, consider the value of your HD bays.

[Lourdes]

The cost per GB is very close - which is quite unusual considering that 1TB is still flagship capacity (and usually command a large premium). Comes down how fast/slowly you fill your HD - if you think it will last until 1.5-2TB drives are released at current 1TB drive cost, then it's not a big deal to go for the smaller capacity. Otherwise, consider the value of your HD bays.

The WD is cheap because it's a 5400RPM drive.

[Ommid]

The WD is cheap because it's a 5400RPM drive.

Greenpower steps up to 7200rpm though when you use it doesnt it.

[0iD]

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
I was a WD man, till I got some Spinpoint P120's which are great workhorse drives.

The 750gb Spinpoint above is not only cheaper, but it has a 32mb cache over the WD's 16mb. Gets my vote.

[hermeticist]

Sorry if this is slightly off topic, but I was reminded by reading the above. Can`t remember where I read it, but this was recommended:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Same as:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

?

Does any one know if they are any good?

[neonplanet40]

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

=7200rpm. Green slows down when not being used so that it uses less power and produces less heat. It is still a 7200rpm drive though.

In the end if you need 1tb then get 1 tb if not then get 750.

And Hermeticist. STAY AWAY FROM MAXTOR!!

Seagate arent too ad but i would stick with western digital as i have found them the most reliable.

[TooNice]

From my understanding (and according to people who looked into it from Storagereview and SPCR), there are no drives that 'step up' or 'step down' according to needs. WD did not market the GP as a 5400* because it may be seen as a 'downgrade' (and it is from a performance perspective compared to a similarly modern and well designed 7200 drive, including their own AAKS based drive). So instead, they marketed it as a 'Green drive' (which is probably well warranted compared to 7200 drives - this also make this drive one of the quietest available). And thanks in part to the platter density and other optimisation, the drive do perform pretty well compared to older 7200 RPM drives.

For a system drive, I would stick with the AAKS, at least until the Samsung F1 1TB (333GB platter as opposed to 250GB in the 750GB) becomes more proven (there are more reports of issues at the moment than I'd like). But as a storage drive, 1TB the GP does provide 250GB more onto the same 3.5" bay, and I would be willing to accept a performance hit for better value (cost/capacity).

* If it's not 5400, then it would still be a fixed value between 5400-7200. They claim that "For each GreenPower drive model, WD may use a different, invariable RPM". But it probably is easier to go them to go with the tried and tested 5400 then go for something else IMO.

[Robert]

It's not a case of needing it...it's a case of wanting the move capacity per-HD slot

[Lourdes]

Greenpower steps up to 7200rpm though when you use it doesnt it.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

=7200rpm. Green slows down when not being used so that it uses less power and produces less heat. It is still a 7200rpm drive though.

No, they're 5400rpm drives. It's just some WD BS where they say some drives *might* be 7200rpm rather than 5400rpm. But I've yet to hear of any GP's that aren't 5400rpm.

[dodgybob]

Yeah every review I've seen has green powers as 5400rpm. That has its advantages though - they're meant to be very cool running and quiet. If they are to be used as media drives and not the operating system drive I would think that outright performance isn't the main issue.

[Robert]

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Ordered :E

[EarlGrey]

Samsung F1 750GB at £80 delivered!

Damn. New drive about to be ordered