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TEST RESULTS
Our sample was tested according to our standard
hard drive testing methodology (though testing now takes place inside
our anechoic chamber). The test drive sample was compared against a few other
drives. Our methodology focuses specifically on HDD 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.
For comprehensive HDD performance testing results, we recommend Storage
Review, who have established a long reputation as the specialist in
this field.
Two forms of hard drive noise are measured:
- Airborne acoustics
- Vibration-induced noise.
These 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.
The date code indicates our sample was manufactuered approximately
5 months ago. |
Ambient conditions at time of testing were 11 dBA and 20°C.
ACOUSTICS & POWER
|
DRIVE NOISE EVALUATION
|
|
Drive
Mfg date
firmware version
|
Vibration
1-10
(10 = no vibration)
|
Activity State
|
Airborne Acoustics
(dBA@1m)
|
Measured
Power
|
|
Seagate Pipeline
HD Pro 1TB
ST31000533CS
September 2008
firmware SC15
|
4
|
Idle
|
15
|
7.1 W
|
|
Seek
|
16
|
10.1 W
|
|
REFERENCE DRIVES*
|
|
WD Caviar SE16 640GB
WD6400AAKS
February 2008
firmware 01.03B01
|
7
|
Idle
|
16
|
6.8 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
16~17
|
8.1 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
18~19
|
9.3 W
|
|
Samsung F1 750GB
HD753LJ
February 2008
firmware 1AA01109
|
6
|
Idle
|
16
|
6.9 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
18~19
|
8.9 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
20~21
|
10.2 W
|
|
Seagate 7200.11 1.5TB
ST31500341AS
October 2008
firmware SD17
|
4
|
Idle
|
17
|
8.8 W
|
|
Seek
|
19
|
10.7 W
|
|
Seagate 7200.11 1TB
ST31000340AS
July 2008
firmware SD1A
|
3
|
Idle
|
18
|
7.7 W
|
|
Seek
|
19
|
11.5 W
|
|
WD Caviar SE16 500GB WD5000KS
March 2006
firmware 07.02E07
|
4
|
Idle
|
19
|
8.5 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
19
|
8.6 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
22
|
10.7 W
|
|
WD Caviar Black 1TB
WD1001FALS
July 2008
firmware 05.00K05
|
4
|
Idle
|
21
|
8.5 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
21
|
10.9 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
25
|
11.0 W
|
|
WD Raptor 150GB
WD1500ADFD
March 2006
firmware 20.07P20
|
5
|
Idle
|
16
|
8.2 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
26~27
|
12.2 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
26~27
|
12.2 W
|
|
* These drives are references in the sense of previously
tested and known entitities to which newly tested products can be compared
and contrasted against.
|
Acoustically, our Seagate Pipeline HD Pro sample was a significantly quieter
than both our 4-platter 7200.11 1TB and 1.5TB units. We measured a 2-3 dBA@1m
improvement at idle, and 3 dBA@1m during seek. The overall sound was broadband,
except for a 120Hz fundamental tone of its motor spinning at 7200 RPM. The noise
character was similar to previous the 7200.11 Seagates, but noticeably softer
with less humming when placed on a soft surface. It was the quietest 7200 RPM
desktop drive we've ever tested in our anechoic chamber.
Despite the excellent overall noise level, the vibrations it generated were
quite strong, on par with the 1.5TB
Seagate 7200.11 and Western Digital
Caviar Black 1TB model. Seagate is pushing the Pipelines as the ideal choice
for DVRs, and such devices would benefit from the drive's low motor and seek
noise. However, the vibrations produced by a Pipeline HD Pro hard-mounted in
a DVR-type device or a PC would be very noticeable if the rest of the components
were adequately quiet. Once again, soft-mounting is highly recommended.
Power consumption was excellent — just above 7W idle and 10W during seek.
It is a fair improvement over 4-platter drives like the Seagate 7200.11's, and
performance-oriented drives like the WD Black.
|
Seagate Pipeline HD Pro vs. Western Digital Caviar
Green Power
|
|
Drive
Mfg date
firmware version
|
Vibration
1-10
(10 = no vibration)
|
Activity State
|
Airborne Acoustics
(dBA@1m)
|
Measured
Power
|
|
Seagate Pipeline
HD Pro 1TB
ST31000533CS
September 2008
firmware SC15
|
4
|
Idle
|
15
|
7.1 W
|
|
Seek
|
16
|
10.1 W
|
|
WD Caviar GP 1TB WD10EACS
December 2007
firmware 01.01B01
|
8
|
Idle (heads unloaded)
|
?
|
3.7W
|
|
Idle
|
?
|
5.7 W
|
|
Seek (AAM)
|
?
|
6.7 W
|
|
Seek (Normal)
|
?
|
7.5 W
|
Subjectively, the overall noise level of the Pipeline HD Pro was very close
to that of Western Digital's
1TB Green Power. We never had the opportunity to measure a GP in our anechoic
chamber, but our vibration and power consumption figures are still valid. The
Pipeline was very quiet, but as a 7200 RPM drive, it simply could not compete
with a GP running at 5400 RPM when it came to vibration and power efficiency.
| Help support this site, buy the Seagate PIPELINE SATA 1TB 7.2K 32MB from one of our affiliate retailers! |
|
