idle noise is pretty much non egistant tho
on my suspended 80gig
btw get 80gig if u can, its probably not much more

I just ordered a 40GB 'Cuda IV (ST340016A) from toolspcs.com on the 13th. Their price is $71 plus free UPS ground shipping. Their ratings at resellerratings.com were quite positive, but few in number. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The drive is not scheduled to arrive until the 20th, so I'm not sure that they have indeed shipped a 'Cuda IV and not a V or a 7200.7

I'll post to this thread when the drive arrives and let folks know if toolspcs might be a good source for 'Cuda IVs.

The drive I ordered (see post above) has arrived and it is indeed a 40GB 'Cuda IV model #ST340016A. Everything went smoothly with the transaction.

For those still looking to buy a 40GB 'Cuda IV, toolspcs would be a good place to go.

Does the Barracuda V drives come with accustic software?

Or is it obtainable and does it work with the V's?


I am getting 3 60gb drives (2 to run in an array for HD TV recording/timeshifting etc, and one for OS & storage)

I will get a V if can keep it to 25db (as specs state) otherwise it may be better to source a few Samsungs at 28db (vs the segates 30db in performance mode)

Acoustic management works with the cuda V. I recently bought a 60Gb cuda, and had a hard time finding a V, they are quickly running out of stock.

Kostik,

Thanks.

As I will proably be getting the drive OEM, where can the software be sorced from? Is it somewhere on Seagates site?

(In Australia so far I don't think I should have a problem getting a V, but I have noticed 7200.7's are becoming the norm, i think i'll get a 8mb V if I can sorce one:))

Look forward to your reply re software availability

mmmmmmmmmm 25db mmmmmmmmmm

AAM is usually activated by default on the cuda V. If it isn't, you can use IBM Feature Tool.

Be careful when buying a cuda V, when I last bought one, every vendor would try to sell me the 7200.7 saying it was an ATA V. I had to make them read the label on the drive to prove them wrong. I wouldn't buy this drive on the internet.

My 60gb cuda is *very* quiet when it's inside my foamed case, but it vibrates a lot. If the drive touches anything inside the case (even the foam!), the vibrations are transmitted to the case and there's a loud low-pitched hum. This drive really needs to be suspended.

I have an 80gb in my Modded Xbox (barra V) and on seek it is substantially loud.

I note that the 60/40gbs are rated 3db mor quiet (which is substantial) But am not sure it is enough.

How does the V (60gb) compare to a IV? at 25db seek it should be pretty much inaudible from a reasonable distance. Or should I go a Samsung or something.

Thanks for the help

The 60gb and lower are single platter models. They usually have a lower idle noise, but I don't think it affects seek noise. The cuda IV is usually considered quieter than the V, but the difference isn't big. If the drive is suspended in a good case, you should not hear it anyway. In my experience, the cuda IV has a quieter seek noise, and I have seen a cuda IV that had so little seek noise that even when hard mounted to the case one wouldn't hear it !

True,

All 40, 60 and 80 IV's i have deal with are inaudiable.

7200.7 and IV's (40 gb and 80gb) from my experience as substanially louder on seek.

I really hope I can get some IV's.

Or you think at 60gb rubber mounted should be enuf? it is a HTPC (HD TV recording etc)

Thanks D

I currently run a fully suspended 60gb cuda ATA V in a foam lined case. The computer is *very* quiet, inaudible at 1 meter when the room is quiet (like now, at 1:30 am) and the temperature isn't too high. I can't hear the HD, and believe me, if there was a noise, I would hear it and in no time I would be modding something

Two things though :
- as I said before, this drive vibrates. I don't know if mine is defective, but it vibrates more than most other drives I have tested. Maybe it's just mine.
- soft mounting without using some kind of acoustic foam won't be enough to fully absorb the seek noise. This noise will be very bearable, it's not an unpleasant noise, and the other components in the computer will probably be louder, but if you really want something silent, then choose a cuda IV.

I think i'll try and get 3 IV's att all costs.

Will save some headache.

Ive got the rest covered (26db Athlon CPU fan, 22db case fan (which i'll proably replace PSU fan with). Only the Fan on the Radeon 9500/9600 pro (depending what i get) may be an issue but im not how loud this is

Danny