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TESTING
Our samples were tested according to our standard
hard drive testing methodology. As of mid-2008, we're conducting most acoustics
tests in our own 10~11 dBA anechoic
chamber, for more accurate low SPL readings than before. Our methodology
focuses specifically on noise, and great effort is taken to ensure it is comprehensively
measured and described. Performance is covered only lightly, for reasons discussed
in detail in the methodology article.
Two forms of hard drive noise are measured:
- Airborne acoustics
- Vibration-induced noise.
These two types of noise impact the subjective
perception of hard drive noise differently depending on how and where the drive
is mounted.
Both forms of noise are evaluated objectively and
subjectively. Airborne acoustics are measured in our anechoic chamber using a lab reference
microphone and computer audio measurement system. Measurements are taken at a distance of one meter from the top
of the drive using an A-weighted filter. Vibration noise is rated on a scale
of 1-10 by comparing against our standard reference drives.
Summary of primary HDD testing tools:
A final caveat: As with most reviews, our comments
are relevant to the samples we tested. Your sample may not be identical. There
are always some sample variances, and manufacturers also make changes without
telling everyone.
Our Samsung EcoDrive 2TB F3 sample was made in May 2010.
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Ambient conditions at time of testing were 10.5 dBA and 23°C.
ACOUSTICS
There were high expectations for the acoustics of the HD203WI because Samsung
has been a silent HDD leader for many years. We're a bit disappointed this time
around. Sitting on foam to take vibration out of the equation, its noise profile
was very quiet but not record breaking. Compared to the WD Green 2TB, there
is a greater "hollow" aspect to the sound, which seems to be caused
by somewhat prominent peaks in the 1~2.5 kHz band. It seems more tonal than
the WD, which sounds largely broadband. The 2~3 dBA idle noise difference is
definitely audible, though that difference will be less audible inside a computer
case. Seeks were distinctly audible, where as the WD's seeks were very muted.
Our sample arrived with AAM turned off. Turning it on to minimal noise with
HDD Scan 3.3 resulted
in very subtle changes that moight have amounted to a 1 dBA reduction at best.
The Samsung EcoGreen 2TB F3 is very quiet at idle, but doesn't challenge
the WD Green 2TB, which is over 2 dBA quieter; the difference is audible.
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POWER CONSUMPTION & VIBRATION
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DRIVE NOISE TEST SUMMARY
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Drive
Manufacture date
firmware version
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Vibration
1-10
(10 = no vibration)
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Activity State
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Airborne Acoustics
(dBA@1m)
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Measured
Power
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Samsung EcoGreen F3
2TB HD203WI
May 2010
firmware 1AN10003
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7
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Idle
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15.5
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4.7 W
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AAM
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17~18
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6.1W
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Seek
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18~19
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6.9 W
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It's no surprise that a 4-platter HDD has a bit more vibration than the best
on our recommended list. While it's not bad, on par with the WD Caviar Green
2TB, there's no doubt a mechanically decoupled mounting will reduce vibration-induced
noise in most PC cases. The power usage is low, better than average for a "green"
drive, a bit better than the 2TB WD Green, and substantially lower than a typical
7200 RPM model.
HD TACH / PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
The speed of the 2TB F3EG on HD Tach was a touch higher than that of the 2TB
WD Green, but sgnificantly slower than the 2TB Seagate Barrucada LP, wiht its
higher 5900 RPM spindle speed. It stands in the middle of the pack.
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HD TACH RESULTS COMPARISON
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3.5" Drive s
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Random Access
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Avg. Read
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Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB
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14.2ms
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109MB/s
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Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB
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15.3ms
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107MB/s
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Seagate Pipeline HD Pro 1TB
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17.0ms
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102MB/s
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Seagate Barracuda LP 2TB
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14.9ms
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97MB/s
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Seagate Pipeline HD .2 500GB
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18.6ms
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96MB/s
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Seagate Pipeline HD .2 1TB
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15.0ms
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95MB/s
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WD Caviar Black 1TB
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13.6ms
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91MB/s
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Samsung EcoGreen F3 2TB
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16.8ms
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89MB/s
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Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB
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12.4ms
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88MB/s
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Samsung EcoGreen F2 500GB
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16.7ms
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87MB/s
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WD Caviar Green 1.5TB
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14.6ms
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84MB/s
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WD Caviar Green 2TB
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17.9ms
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82MB/s
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Seagate Pipeline HD 500GB
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17.7ms
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75MB/s
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5400~5900rpm drives in green, 7200rpm drives in blue.
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The HD203WI's performance is close enough to its closest competitors that differences
are not likely to be noticed. Minor differences in computer component performance
rarely get noticed in actual use. It usually takes a number of faster or slower
components working in tandem to see a significant general difference in PC performance.
For those seeking a more detailed performance analysis, here is Storage
Review's review of the Samsung HD203WI.
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