Seagate 7200.7 or Samsung SpinPoint? PLEASE HELP

alexb · Post by **alexb** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:35 am

From what I see here, Samsung seems to be quieter... but Seagate is faster (at 160 GB), is that right?

I have also seen reports of more drive failures with Samsung, and some reports that although Samsung is very quiet when brand new, it develops noise when older? Is this true?

I am not a silent freak, but like a quiet system, however I am a SPEED freak. I have reduced the noise in my system quite a bit by getting quiet PS, fans, HSF, etc... HDD is the last one to do (currently WD 800JB). To me, idle noise is the biggest problem, I dont' really care about seek noise as it shows that the drive is working.

Based on my preferences and the fact that Seagate is more easily available, what's the best choice? I am getting two drives, one for system and one for data, should I mix them?

Thnx

scara · Post by **scara** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:40 am

I got a Samsung SP1614N (160G, 8MB cache) instead of a Seagate and I couldn't be happier.
As far as I can tell there is no idle noise and very little seek noise either.
I have had older Seagates in 'brand' PC's and they were far louder than the samsung.

From what i've read the samsungs outperform any equivalent seagate even with AAM set to maximum. I cant remember exactly, but my samsung does sequential at about 40M/s and burst? at over 80M/s (with AAM at max ie slowest speed). I'll benchmark it tonight and report back.

Personnally I dont think you'd gain anything from mixing the two. If you really are a speed freak get two samsungs, turn AAM off and put them in a RAID.

HTH some, Rich

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:27 am

DON"T GET THE 160 GB 7200.7s. They are noisy! Go for the 200 GB.

If I were you, I would forego testing your luck to get the NIDEC motor on the SpinPoint and just get a 200 GB Seagate. I tried to get a SpinPoint when it came out, and I got the JVC motor, thus instantly returning it. Your SpinPoint will either be A. REALLY noisy, or B. Dead quiet.

spacey · Post by **spacey** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 6:36 am

7200.7 are quite noisey. except for the 80 gb version, which only has one platter... but i originally bought a 120 gb and it was screaming like a banshee...

i think samsung is a better bet if you want a larger hd. unless u have RAID, then u can buy two 80 gb seagates like me

prof99 · Post by **prof99** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:46 am

Definately go with SAMSUNG. Their drives are faster and quieter than Seagate's. If you need proof on the performance aspect, take a look at this article from X-Bit Labs. Hope this helps!

alexb · Post by **alexb** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:38 am

acaurora wrote:DON"T GET THE 160 GB 7200.7s. They are noisy! Go for the 200 GB.

If I were you, I would forego testing your luck to get the NIDEC motor on the SpinPoint and just get a 200 GB Seagate. I tried to get a SpinPoint when it came out, and I got the JVC motor, thus instantly returning it. Your SpinPoint will either be A. REALLY noisy, or B. Dead quiet.

How can I make sure I get Nidec motor? Can it be viewed right in the package?

I was thinking of getting Seagate for system drive and Samsung for data. So, when the computer is accessing the drive for writing files at night it would use Samsung that has AAM (lower seek noise) while Seagate does the system. A 120GB 7200.7, and 80GB Samsung? Is that gonna be ok?!

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:37 am

I have only had experience with the 160 and 200 GB 7200.7s, as well as the nice quiet Barracudas. The lower capacties I cannot say anything about them. No, NIDEC cannot be seen anywhere on the box (hell I haven't even SEEN any SpinPoint boxes). It's printed on the bottom of the drive.

From what everyone is saying, I would guess to go with all SpinPoints

mai9 · Post by **mai9** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:04 am

acaurora wrote:DON"T GET THE 160 GB 7200.7s. They are noisy! Go for the 200 GB.

I have 3 7200.7 of 160GB and 3 of 120GB all of them IDE, and then another 7200.7 SATA 200GB, and I think this last one makes more noise. That's my subjective guess based on spontaneous "mmm... what's that noise?"

Koolpc · Post by **Koolpc** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:36 am

Hi

I have the Samsung 80gig Hard Drive with Nidec motor. Bought it last week here in UK. Anyway, i suspended mine with sewing Elastic and it is really quiet. I can only just hear it seeking!!! Superb.

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:39 pm

The general consensus that I have seen / heard / experienced is that the 160 is noisier than the 200. I have both, and I can confirm this. Maybe you should check your ears

EDIT: WARNING: Those of you that are also interested in getting a SpinPoint that is QUIET do not get it from SiliconAcoustics:

The 1614Ns we sell do NOT have a Nidec motor.

alexb · Post by **alexb** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:35 pm

mai9 wrote:
acaurora wrote:DON"T GET THE 160 GB 7200.7s. They are noisy! Go for the 200 GB.
I have 3 7200.7 of 160GB and 3 of 120GB all of them IDE, and then another 7200.7 SATA 200GB, and I think this last one makes more noise. That's my subjective guess based on spontaneous "mmm... what's that noise?"

so, is there a difference between 160GB and 120GB?

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:58 pm

I don't know about 120 vs 160, but I do know 160 vs 200 - The 200 uses higher density platters.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:50 pm

acaurora wrote:(hell I haven't even SEEN any SpinPoint boxes). It's printed on the bottom of the drive.

I've never seen a Spinpoint box either. They all come in a clear plastic clamshell container like the Seagate "Sea-shell" thingy. That makes it real easy for anyone (i.e. the people that are packing your order in the warehouse) to see the name. That's why it kind of puzzles me that next to no online retailers will hand-pick these things. They don't have to open any packaging at all, the motor brand is clearly visible if you just flip the darn box over.

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:09 pm

Oh OH this is a classic moment, speaking of that:

I called one online e-tailer, and asked. They said "We can't check the actual products." ...

"Are you in the warehouse?"
"Yes, but we can't open the boxes."
"I'm not asking you to, I'm asking you to just look at the underside of the boxes, they're transparent."
"Oh. Well, we still can't open them."
"I'm not asking you to."
"Then what are you asking for?"
"... nevermind. Forget it. *click*"