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REFERENCE DRIVE RE-TESTED
The drives that have been low noise benchmarks for SPCR were tested using this methodology. These drives are the Seagate Barracuda IV and the
Samsung Spinpoint P80. There are two known versions of the P80 series; one
uses a Nidec branded motor, and the other, a JVC. We tested one sample of
each version. The model number of both versions was SP0802N.
Because the noise characteristics of the Seagate and Samsung drives have already
been well documented, our examination of these drives will be brief. A more
complete review of these two drives was done in May 2003, and the Samsung
Spinpoint was re-reviewed with a sample of a later generation Barracuda line
a year later.
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SPCR REFERENCE 3.5" DRIVES NOISE EVALUATION
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Drive Model
Mfg date - firmware
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Vibration
1-10
(10 = no vibration)
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Activity
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Airborne Acoustics
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Power
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Seagate Barracuda IV
ST340016A - firmware 3.10
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6
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Idle
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20 dBA/1m
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6.7 W
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Seek (AAM)
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23 dBA/1m
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11.3 W
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Seek (Normal)
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25-26 dBA/1m
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11.6 W
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Samsung Spinpoint P80 (Nidec motor)
June 04 - firmware TK100-24
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4
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Idle
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21 dBA/1m
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6.3 W
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Seek (AAM)
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23-24 dBA/1m
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8.3 W
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Seek (Normal)
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25-26 dBA/1m
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9.1 W
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Samsung Spinpoint P80 (JVC motor)
Feb 05 - firmware TK200-04
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6
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Idle
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21 dBA/1m
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6.2 W
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Seek (AAM)
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25 dBA/1m
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n / a
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Seek (Normal)
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27 dBA/1m
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9.3 W
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Seagate Barracuda IV
Even though it was released four years ago, the Barracuda IV still ranks
as the one of the quietest drives we know of. Its high frequency noise is
minimal and it is characterized by a smooth whoosh that sounds
more like airflow than motor noise.
Its seeks are sharp and quite loud relative to the quiet idle noise, but
they measure in line with those of other drives. They are intrusive because
they are so much louder than the idle noise, not because they are loud in
absolute terms. With AAM enabled, the sharp clatter of the seeks is dulled
and sound less intrusive.
Vibration is quite low for a 3.5" drive, although not the lowest we've
seen. We know from experience that this drive benefits considerably
from a suspension mounting to reduce vibration.
Power draw is modest, but anecdotal evidence suggests it runs hot. The extra foam damping on the bottom side of the drive (abandoned since the B-IV) may play a part in trapping a bit more heat than other drives.
Samsung Spinpoint P80, Nidec Motor
The Nidec motor Spinpoint was the version that earned our original recommendation.
Idle noise is rougher and slightly louder than the Barracuda,
but inside a case it is unlikely to be audible. Compared to the Barracuda,
the character of the sound is more metallic, but the overall volume is not
enough to be intrusive. Any fan run at stock voltage would easily drown
out the noise of the hard drive.
Seek noise is softer and more broadband than the sharp seeks of the Barracuda,
although there is a considerable amount of low-frequency rumble. The reduction
in noise with AAM enabled is spread across all frequencies, making the reduction
in noise more a change in volume than a change in character.
We were surprised at the amount of vibration produced by this drive. While
it is not the worst we encountered, it is far from a low-vibration drive.
Our recommendation of this drive in the past has been based on the assumption
that it would be suspended to reduce noise; there are definitely better
choices if suspension is not used.
The power draw is slightly lower than the Seagate Barracuda IV; it may run a touch cooler. This difference does not account for the anecdotal evidence above how much cooler the Samsung runs compared to the B-IV. The aluminum top over of the Samsung may help cool the unit better.
Samsung Spinpoint P80, JVC Motor
The JVC motor version of the Spinpoint has a reputation for having a high-frequency
whine that makes it less suitable for use in a quiet system. However, our
sample (the only one we've examined personally) exhibited only a trace of
this whine. Perhaps the difference in motor is more pronounced in the higher
platter models. As with the Nidec version, the idle noise is likely to disappear
inside most cases.
Surprisingly, the seek noise produced by the JVC Spinpoint was markedly
different in character from the Nidec's seek noise. The character of the
noise is midway between the Barracuda IV and the Nidec Spinpoint. Higher
frequencies are more pronounced than in the Nidec version, but they still
lack the sharpness of the Barracuda seeks. I would characterize the JVC
seek noise as a chatter, the Nidec as a rattle, and the Barracuda as a clatter.
As with the Nidec version, AAM reduced the seek noise, but did not appreciably
change its character.
Vibration for this version was much better than the Nidec version and was
roughly on par with the Barracuda. In spite of the louder seeks of the JVC
Spinpoint, the seek vibration was slightly less than
either of our other reference drives.
The measured power dissipation differences compared with the Nidec version are within the margin of error for the test system and thus insignificant.
Noise Recordings in MP3 Format
Each recording
contains 10 seconds of idle noise, followed by 10 seconds of seek noise with
AAM enabled and 10 seconds more with AAM disabled. Keep in mind that the audio recordings
paint only part of the acoustic picture; vibration noise is not recorded, and
drives often sound different depending on the angle from which they are heard.
Seagate
Barracuda IV ST340016A (Idle: 21 / AAM: 23 / Seek: 25-26 dBA/1m)
Samsung
Spinpoint P80 SP0802N, Nidec Motor (Idle: 21 / AAM: 23-24 / Seek: 25-26 dBA/1m)
Samsung
Spinpoint P80 SP0802N, JVC Motor (Idle: 21 / AAM: 25 / Seek: 27 dBA/1m)
Nexus 92mm
case fan @ 5V (17 dBA/1m) Reference
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HOW TO LISTEN & COMPARE
These recordings were made
with a high resolution studio quality digital recording system. The hard
drive was placed on soft foam to isolate the airborne noise that it produces;
recordings do not take into account the vibration noise that hard drives
produce. The microphone was centered 3" above the top face of the hard
drive. The ambient noise during most recordings was 18 dBA or lower.
To set the volume to a realistic level (similar to the
original), try playing the Nexus 92 fan reference recording and
setting the volume so that it is barely audible. Then don't reset the
volume and play the other sound files. Of course, tone controls or other
effects should all be turned off or set to neutral. For full details on
how to calibrate your sound system to get the most valid listening comparison,
please see the yellow text box entitled Listen to the Fans
on page four of the article
SPCR's Test / Sound Lab: A Short Tour.
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