Samsung EcoGreen F4 & Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB Hard Drives

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TESTING

Our samples were tested according to our standard hard drive testing methodology. As of mid-2008, we have been conducting most acoustics tests in our own 10~11 dBA anechoic chamber, which results in more accurate, lower SPL readings than before, especially with <20 dBA@1m SPL. 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:

1. Airborne acoustics
2. 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:

• Hitachi Feature Tool - DOS utility used primarily to check/set Automatic Acoustic Management and for its intense seek simulation utility
• HDTach - Low level hardware benchmark for random access read/write storage devices
• IOMeter - I/O subsystem measurement and characterization tool for single and clustered systems. It is used as a benchmark and troubleshooting tool
• HD Tune Pro - Benchmarking tool for storage devices
• SpeedFan - Monitor system sensors such as HDD temperature
• SPCR's Audio Audio Recording/Analysis system using SpectraPlus and other utilities
• SPCR Anechoic Chamber
• Custom-built HDD power measurement and Vibration test tools

Performance Test System:

• AMD Athlon II X4 630 processor - 2.8 GHz
• Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H motherboard - 785G chipset
• DDR2 Memory - 2 x 2GB DDR2-800
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate operating system - 64-bit

Performance Test Tools:

• Call of Duty: World At War - PC game
• Far Cry 2 - PC game
• ESET NOD32 - anti-virus scanner
• ExactFile - file integrity verification tool
• TrueCrypt - file/disk encryption tool
• 3DMark06 - 3D benchmarking tool
• Cyberlink PowerDVD - Video player

Benchmark Details

• COD5: Load time for "Downfall" level.
• Far Cry 2: Load time for initial screen plus one level.
• NOD32: Virus scan of 32 files/archives of varying size.
• ExactFile: Creating a MD5 check file of our entire test suite folder.
• TrueCrypt: Creating a 8GB encrypted file container.
• 3DMark06: Install time, longest interval between prompts.
• PowerDVD: Install time, longest interval between prompts.
• Small File Copy: Copy time for 1,278 files ranging from 10KB to 4MB in size.
• Large File Copy: Copy time for 4 files, 2 x 700MB and 2 x 1400MB in size.

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.

Ambient conditions at time of testing were 10.5 dBA and 22°C.

Our F4 sample was manufactured in August of 2010.

Seagate's sample came off the assembly line three months earlier in May.

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