compabilaty between HDD

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:36 pm

Hi,
I currently have 2 seagate HDs -
Barracuda 7200.9 250624
Barracuda 7200.10 320620

i want to add a new drive, can i use a different make?
such as the WD Caviar SE16 640GB (WD6400AAKS)?
how is this drive? the review says there are 2 types of it. and one is better than the other.
how do i see the difference?
is there any other recommendations at the same price range?
thanks a lot,
Dan

FartingBob · Post by **FartingBob** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 3:19 pm

Yes you sure can mix and match. its generally advisable to pair up drives when using RAID, but otherwise there shouldnt be any problems.
The WD 640BG blue (as the one you lsited is now called) is a very good drive. There is also a 'black' version (WD6401AALS) which is slightly faster but more expensive and louder.

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:24 am

how quiet is the "Blue"? (6400aaks http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=394) - i have only that here.
also - can i connect 2 different makes to the same sata2 cable?
how is it's temperature? mine are soft mounted in the front of the case without any intake fan (only a pull fan from the cpu behind it - usually at 1000rpm)

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:58 am

anyone?

also, how safe is it to send a hdd by mail? i asked the company and they said it was ok, but i don't know if that's really the case.

FartingBob · Post by **FartingBob** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:21 pm

I have 2 'blue' drives and they are both very quiet, although i suspend mine so i dont know how loud the vibrations are.
Also, you can only connect 1 drive per cable, its not like IDE drives.

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:18 pm

mine are suspended to.
but they are noisy (!) at seeks.

i got mixed up - i meant that each sata2 port on the MB has 2 outputs, can i connect different types on the same sata?

do you know anything about heat? my segates work at 47c.

FartingBob · Post by **FartingBob** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:39 pm

Lt_Dan wrote:mine are suspended to.
but they are noisy (!) at seeks.

i got mixed up - i meant that each sata2 port on the MB has 2 outputs, can i connect different types on the same sata?

do you know anything about heat? my segates work at 47c.

My 2 are running at 38c and 34c with 1 92mm fan directly in front of 1 and just below the other (although it will have some direct airflow along the bottom of the drive).

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:46 am

i thought of doing a diy project and put the case 120 fan (that spins at 800~) in front of the hdd. but it's covered by the drive covers (which are detachable)