Western Digital SE16 750GB: "Quiet" a Performer
by Dave Robinet on August 9, 2007 2:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
Drive Specifications
The 750AAKS has technical specifications similar to its competition from Seagate and Hitachi. Seagate continues to offer the most attractive warranty, though the power consumption at load of the Western Digital is by far the lowest among its peers. Other specifications (seek time, latency, etc.) are all close enough as to be virtually indistinguishable among the drives.
The current street price for the Western Digital 750AAKS is around $190, while the Hitachi drive comes in at about $235 and the Seagate 7200.10 750GB at $199.
Feature Set
The 7500AAKS drive is equipped with all of the standard features found in the SE16 line, but has had two additional features added which are not present on the smaller capacity drives: Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR), and StableTrac. PMR, which we've described in previous articles, is a means of achieving a higher data storage density (without changing the disk media). This is different than the more traditional method of longitudinal magnetic recording, which has nearly reached its limit in terms of data density. StableTrac, which is a proprietary technology by Western Digital, essentially means that the motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce the effects (and generation) of vibration in the system.
The 7500AAKS is a 3.5" form factor drive, with the standard white Western Digital sticker outlining the basic specifications (capacity, drive parameters, etc).
Western Digital has followed the lead of other manufacturers in removing the 4 pin MOLEX connector on this drive which was used in older ATX power supplies. The SATA power port is therefore the only available power option.
| Hard Drive Specifications | |||
| Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS |
Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 |
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3750640AS-RK |
|
| Stated Capacity | 750GB | 750GB | 750GB |
| Interface | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s |
| Rotational Speed | 7,200 RPM | 7,200 RPM | 7,200 RPM |
| Cache Size | 16 MB | 16 MB | 16 MB |
| Average Latency | 4.2 ms (nominal) | 4.17 ms (nominal) | 4.16 ms (nominal) |
| Read Seek Time | 8.9 ms | 8.5 ms | 8.5 ms |
| Number of Heads | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Number of Platters | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Power Draw Idle / Load | 8.6W / 10.7W | 8.1W / 12.8W | 8.6W / 12.6W |
| Command Queuing | Native Command Queuing | Native Command Queuing | Native Command Queuing |
| Warranty | 3 Year - Retail or OEM | 3 Year - Retail or OEM | 5 Year - Retail or OEM |
The 750AAKS has technical specifications similar to its competition from Seagate and Hitachi. Seagate continues to offer the most attractive warranty, though the power consumption at load of the Western Digital is by far the lowest among its peers. Other specifications (seek time, latency, etc.) are all close enough as to be virtually indistinguishable among the drives.
The current street price for the Western Digital 750AAKS is around $190, while the Hitachi drive comes in at about $235 and the Seagate 7200.10 750GB at $199.
Feature Set
The 7500AAKS drive is equipped with all of the standard features found in the SE16 line, but has had two additional features added which are not present on the smaller capacity drives: Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR), and StableTrac. PMR, which we've described in previous articles, is a means of achieving a higher data storage density (without changing the disk media). This is different than the more traditional method of longitudinal magnetic recording, which has nearly reached its limit in terms of data density. StableTrac, which is a proprietary technology by Western Digital, essentially means that the motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce the effects (and generation) of vibration in the system.
The 7500AAKS is a 3.5" form factor drive, with the standard white Western Digital sticker outlining the basic specifications (capacity, drive parameters, etc).
Western Digital has followed the lead of other manufacturers in removing the 4 pin MOLEX connector on this drive which was used in older ATX power supplies. The SATA power port is therefore the only available power option.
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miahallen - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - link
http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php...">Very good discussion concerning the problems with anandtech's sound measuring methodology here.The Boston Dangler - Friday, August 10, 2007 - link
for Samsung to offer larger drivesLord Evermore - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
So...have all drives up to this point only had the drive shaft secured on one side? The end of the shaft just spinning in the air between the top platter and the casing? That seems like a very unlikely thing given how easily that could result in the platters moving and hitting the heads or even hitting the casing. Given the G forces they're rated to handle even when running makes it sound even less likely.Lord Evermore - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
Oh, and haven't all drives had auto-parking heads for like a decade or more? The only reason the heads would move onto the platter during spin-up is if the controller specifically drives the armature to do so. So basically, SecurePark is WD saying "hey, we don't do something stupid with the heads anymore!"I hate how every company has to give their own trademarked name to a basic technology that everybody has.
falc0ne - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
I've noticed in stores 250, 320 and 400GB versions of AAKS are they the same revision drives? I'm ready to order one if so.Also, with the same capacities WD has drives in series KS.
Please, I need support, I'm buying a new PC. Thank you
Adul - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
Where did you find the Seagate for 180?Gary Key - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
At the time Dave wrote this, our price engine was showing ClubIT to have it for $188.89 if I remember right. I just checked and it was up to $199. We will get the article updated shortly.AdamK47 - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
Want!gloinsir - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
The following charthttp://images.anandtech.com/graphs/wd750_080807108...">http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/wd750_080807108...
, the Load Acoustics Chart, was missing results for the Hitachi 7K1000 with AAM/Off.
Gary Key - Thursday, August 9, 2007 - link
Fixed with a press of the refresh button... strange things today.