The Terabyte Landmark: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000

TEST RESULTS

Our sample was tested according to our standard hard drive testing methodology. Our methodology focuses specifically on HDD noise, and great effort is taken to ensure it is comprehensively measured and described. Performance is not tested, for reasons discussed in detail in the methodology article. For comprehensive HDD performance testing results, we recommend Storage Review, who have established a long reputation as the specialist in this field. They reviewed the Hitachi 7K1000 in May 2007.

Our test drive was compared against our reference drives, the Seagate Barracuda IV and Samsung Spinpoint P80, which are profiled in our methodology article. To get a good idea of where the drives in this review stand, it is important to read the methodology article thoroughly. It was also compared against its previous incarnations, the 7K500 and the 7K400, as well as current champions from our recommended list, the Samsung Spinpoint T and the Western Digital Caviar GP.

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. Both the subjective and objective analyses are essential to understanding the acoustics of the drives. Airborne acoustics are measured using a professional caliber SLM. Measurements are taken at a distance of one meter above 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.

A final caveat: As with most reviews, our comments are relevant to the sample 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 the time of testing were 17 dBA and 19°C.

Of the three five platter drives we've examined (all Hitachi models), the 7K1000 is the quietest we've measured. It was also the quietest subjectively, though the difference was not large. Nonetheless, the improvement is welcome, as Hitachi's drives have long been among the noisiest during ordinary operation. The 24 dBA@1m that was achieved at idle brings the 7K1000 to the level achieved by Seagate's recent flagship drives, though it's still not on par with the best from Western Digital and Samsung. The idle noise was the broadband sound of air turbulence, though it had a slightly harsher, more metallic quality to it than most other drives.

With AAM enabled, the 7K1000's seeks were barely audible above the idle noise. Nothing registered on the sound meter either — it remained at 24 dBA@1m. Subjectively, a soft rumbling could be heard, but it was quiet enough not to draw attention to itself. Overall, the seek noise was on par with or slightly better than our older reference drives, but not as good as the current best-of-the-crop. With AAM disabled, the seeks got sharper and the rumbling undertone became deeper. The measurement jumped to 26~27 dBA@1m — not loud, but clearly audible above the idle noise.

Vibration was about average for a 3.5" drive, which is to say, soft-mounting would definitely benefit it. It wasn't the worst drive we've heard for vibration, but it was far from the best.

Power consumption (and therefore the drive's heat output) in the normal operating modes was unchanged from Hitachi's previous flagships. It was definitely on the high side, but that's to be expected of a drive with five platters. However, with Advanced Power Management, things look a little different: With the heads unloaded, power consumption dropped to a more reasonable 6.2W, and low RPM mode reduced even that to 3.6W. This approaches the extremely low power (and low RPM) Western Digital Caviar GP, and is a significant improvement over the low RPM mode in the older 7K500.

Speaking of low RPM mode, the noise level was excellent, as the measurement suggests. 20~21 dBA@1m is barely audible in most situations. Subjectively, the noise character had a harsh electronic character without the silky smoothness of the Caviar GP, but this was noticeable only on close listening. In most systems, other noise sources would cover it, making it effectively inaudible while in low RPM mode.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Audio recordings were made of the drives and are presented here in MP3 format. The recordings below contains 5 seconds of ambient noise, and 10 seconds of idle noise followed by 10 seconds of seek noise with AAM enabled and 10 seconds without.

Keep in mind that the 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.

• Hitachi Global Storage Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721010KLA330 — Idle: 24 / AAM: 24 / Seek: 26~27 dBA@1m — One Meter
• Hitachi Global Storage Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721010KLA330 — Low RPM Mode: 20~21 dBA@1m — One Meter

Reference Comparatives:

• Western Digital Caviar Green Power WD7500AACS — Idle: 19~20 / AAM: 19~20 / Seek: 21 dBA@1m — One Meter
• Samsung T Series HD400LJ — Idle: 20 / AAM: 21 Seek: 22-23 dBA@1m — One Meter
• Samsung P80 SP0802N (Nidec) — Idle: 21 / AAM: 23-24 Seek: 25-26 dBA@1m — One Meter
• Seagate Barracuda IV ST340016A — Idle: 20 / AAM: 23 Seek: 25-26 dBA@1m — One Meter

CONCLUSIONS

From a silencing perspective, the 7K1000 represents a small but important step forward for Hitachi. Acoustically, it still has a long way to go to match the current best of the crop, but it's no longer bringing up the rear. And, if the slower performance of our favorite Western Digital drive isn't enough, the 7K1000 may be a good compromise, with top-end performance balanced by a low RPM mode that sounds almost as good as the Western Digital when the drive is idling. The only downside is that the sound of the drive spinning up and down may be more distracting than a constant, single state idle.

And, even now, a year after its initial release, it's hard to fault the drive for anything else. It still features the largest capacity, and the best (or very close to best) performance on the market. As an occasional-use drive where it sits in low RPM mode most of the time, it may also be one of the quietest and most power efficient, second only to the WD Green Power. However, as a system drive or in heavy-use scenarios, it's still not quiet enough compared to the competition. We look forward to the next iteration of Hitachi's five-platter flagship series to see if they can improve the noise character even beyond what the 7K1000 offers.

Many thanks to Hitachi Global Storage for the 7K1000 sample.

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SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
SPCR's Hard Drive Testing Methodology
SPCR's Recommended Hard Drives
WD Green Power: A New Benchmark in HDD Acoustics & Power
Hitachi Deskstar 7K500 500 GB Hard Drive
Hitachi 7K400 400 GB Hard Drive

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