WD2500KS: only an average drive compared to Hitashi and Maxtor?!

[Dance123]

Hi,

I believe alot of people recommend this drive, however isn't it so that the WD2500KS is only an average performer compared to Hitashi's T7K250 or Maxtor's DM10?!

Read the full review over here (http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200507/20050705WD2500KS_8.html). On of the things they say in there conclusion: "Unfortunately, despite the decent gains, the WD2500KS lacks the pizzazz to match offerings from Maxtor and Hitachi test after test."

Strange enough it seems that the best thing about the WD2500KS is its low noise apparently but what about its performance?! Where did everybody read that the WD2500KS is such a great performer?! Which reviews (links please) etc..?! Thanks!

UPDATE: when looking at the comparison review mentioned below, should I conclude that the WD2500KS is not only weaker but also LOUDER then Hitashi and even Maxtor DM10?!! What about this?!! (see below for more info)

[davidlem]

It compares favorably in single-user tests - which is how I use it - and comes in at half the price of the Hitachi. Sounds like a heck of a deal to me. It is a strong 3rd place finisher behind more expensive and louder models. Best combo of Price / Noise / Performance at the moment. This may all change in weeks or even days. It is a very fluid market.

[DougLite]

DADGUMMIT!! Hitachi has made me wrong again! SR has just added the T7K250 to their performance database, and this comparison (http://www.storagereview.com/php/benchmark/suite_v4.php?typeID=10&testbedID=4&osID=6&raidconfigID=1&numDrives=1&devID_0=285&devID_1=300&devID_2=303&devCnt=3) shows that it is pretty darn good as a gamer drive. I've got to get me one of those!

[rodsfree]

DADGUMMIT!! Hitachi has made me wrong again! SR has just added the T7K250 to their performance database, and this comparison (http://www.storagereview.com/php/benchmark/suite_v4.php?typeID=10&testbedID=4&osID=6&raidconfigID=1&numDrives=1&devID_0=285&devID_1=300&devID_2=303&devCnt=3) shows that it is pretty darn good as a gamer drive. I've got to get me one of those!

Doug....
You realize that would only give you a 7.73% increase in the amount of pr0n storage that you've already got. :cool:

Just a little tip jerk on the old ePenius. :eek:

Believe it or not, not so much as a KB of the Gig-O-Meter is allocated to pr0n. Honest. - DougLite

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/2172.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=2172)

[unhappy_mage]

Believe it or not, not so much as a KB of the Gig-O-Meter is allocated to pr0n. Honest. - DougLite
Ascii pr0n FTW! ;)

You kids are horrible. Of course, I can't simply close this thread, as that would be a cop-out on my part, and unfair use of my power. You guys still don't believe me do you? - DougLite

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072 (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=150072&tm=33)

[AtomicMoose]

Something tells me that Dougy is hiding something about the "war room". :p

[mashie]

Ascii pr0n FTW! ;)

You kids are horrible. Of course, I can't simply close this thread, as that would be a cop-out on my part, and unfair use of my power. You guys still don't believe me do you? - DougLite

Why don't you just admit it, we promise not to laugh. :p ;) :D

[unhappy_mage]

You kids are horrible.
Yep :-S I'll stop. But look how many DCers showed up...

Back OT, I personally don't put WD at the top of my list. Hitachi or a Raptor (if you're desperate) or SCSI (if you're *really* desperate) for speed, or Maxtor for capacity or Samsung for quiet. The WDs come in quieter and cooler (http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200507/20050705WD2500KS_6.html) than the top-of-line drives, though, so they make a good compromise in my mind.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072 (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=150072&tm=33)

[Dance123]

DADGUMMIT!! Hitachi has made me wrong again! SR has just added the T7K250 to their performance database, and this comparison (http://www.storagereview.com/php/benchmark/suite_v4.php?typeID=10&testbedID=4&osID=6&raidconfigID=1&numDrives=1&devID_0=285&devID_1=300&devID_2=303&devCnt=3) shows that it is pretty darn good as a gamer drive. I've got to get me one of those!

What surprises me the most in that comparison is that the WD2500KS (43.6db) seems ALOT more NOISY then the T7K250 (41db) and even the Maxtor DM10 (40.6db) which I thought was considered very noisy?! What about this? Does that mean the WD2500KS is not a good choice when looking for a silent drive and it's better to get any of those other drives??

I thought the WD2500KS was one of the most quiet drives?! What about this??

[DougLite]

Back on topic, phew

1) SR only measures idle noise. Seek noise is not measured at all.

2) SR only measures the objective sound pressure of the drive, not the subjective feel of the drive's noise profile (although they do comment on the latter in reviews). A drive that has a high pitched 'whine' will be a much louder in terms of user feel, even though it may actually putting out less volume than a drive with lower pitched noise.

3) SR takes their sound measurements at the very short distance of 3mm, magnifying variances in noise. This is pretty much necessary with today's FDB drives, as they are virtually inaudible at any significant distance at idle.

4) A difference of less than one dB/A at 3mm is unlikely to be noticable, unless their is a significant difference in character of that noise.

I can tell you that the WD2500KS has a pretty low seek profile, lower than my Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA and Maxtor drives, although not as low as my Hitachi drives or the Samsung drives I used to have.