HDTach 3.0.4.0
HD Tach will test the sequential read, random access and interface burst speeds of your attached storage device (hard drive, flash drive, removable drive, etc). All drive technologies such as SCSI, IDE/ATA, 1394, USB, SATA and RAID are supported. Test results from HD Tach can be used to confirm manufacturer specs, analyze your system for proper performance, and compare your performance with others. HD Tach is very easy to use, quick, and presents data in easy to read graphs, including the ability to compare two storage devices on screen at the same time for easy analysis.
While the Green series drives took a step back on sequential throughput, increased platter densities have slowly brought speeds towards what we are used to. Both 1TB models, while quieter than 7200 RPM units, have a typical ‘sharp’ WD seek sound. The 3 platter model seeks slightly faster than its older brother, likely due to firmware refinements and a lighter head pack (2 less heads).
The 2TB model seeks the slowest, and this seems to be intentional as the seek sound is much ‘smoother’ than that of the EACS models. I could barely tell the drive was seeking at all, even with it located outside of the testbed. You literally have to have your head within 6 inches of this drive to tell if it is seeking. It was impossible to tell if the drive was active even when resting a finger near the actuator assembly. Clearly Western Digital have refined their IntelliSeek technology, and I suspect being gentler to the head pack will also pay off in drive longevity.
Note: We have dropped the CPU usage results as the improved efficiency of the ICH10R and significantly greater CPU power of the Core i7 920 caused all tests to result in a 0% reading.
I learned a lot here but have
I learned a lot here but have not yet been able to open my case. Fortunately, I’ve lost no data. All my losses have been the backups of data on internal drives. Ironically, the backup drives failed, never the drives they were protecting. I intend to buy a replacement, but never again a Western Digital. I have two Maxtors running four & two years respectively. My next purchase will be another Maxtor.