WD enterprise drives?

[mikeblas]

What's the difference between the Western Digital RE3 WD1002FBYS and Caviar Black WD1001FALS drives?

I know the RE3 is an "enterprise class" drive, but what does that specifically mean? The specifications, according to the WD website, are identical.

The RE3 is about $158 from my reseller, and the FALS drive is about $110.

 

[Blue Fox]

TLER

 

[mikeblas]

Does the WD1001FALS support NCQ? It's not mentioned on the product sheet.

 

[Rembrandt]

Some people like the RE3 because they have extra testing done over and beyond what the Black drives have. Both drives are mechanically identical and I have always chosen the Black drives just because of the huge difference in price. I have also never had a Black drive go bad on me. Yes, it does have NCQ.

 

[OmegaAvenger]

Does the WD1001FALS support NCQ? It's not mentioned on the product sheet.

NCQ is a part of the SATA II spec i think, and nearly every hard drive made in the last few years support it. I'd be surprised if a WD Black did not.