3.5" vs 2.5" in a desktop

[Dougx1317]

I have both a 3.5" desktop and 2.5" notebook hard drive in my desktop. They are both 320GB, 7200rpm, 16mb, and test at about the same speed. I was thinking about taking one out for a secondary computer. Would there be any disadvantage to running a notebook hard drive? Are they more prone to failure?

 

[cjl]

The desktop drive should be significantly faster- they may test about the same in sequentials, but how does the access time compare?

If they are truly equivalent, there's no disadvantage to running the notebook drive.

 

[Dougx1317]

The scores are below. The notebook drive does have worse access time, but as a data drive how much does this matter? I've heard that notebook drives are cooler, quieter, and, more efficient. I'm just worried that it may be more delicate or prone to failure.

Desktop (7200.10):
Min 27.9
Max 76.8
Avg 61.9
Access Time 13.4
Burst 97.7

Laptop (7200.3):
Min 42.6
Max 88.6
Avg 68.6
Access Time 16.6
Burst 77.4

 

[cjl]

It shouldn't be any more prone to failure. As a data drive, the access time won't matter much, so I wouldn't worry. As a boot drive, it would be a bit slower. It will definitely be cooler and quieter, so if that is your goal, the notebook drive is the way to go.

 

[Dougx1317]

I have a velociraptor as my boot drive, so I don't know about cool or quiet. I'm just going to throw my 3.5" 320GB into another desktop to complete. I figure it'll sell better as a full working computer. Thanks for your help.

 

[cjl]

The velociraptors are actually cooler and quieter than most 7200 drives

I have a pair of them, and they are definitely quieter than my Caviar Black storage drive. They're 2.5" drives in a 3.5" mount, which is why they can be cooler and quieter and still faster than most desktop drives.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The velociraptors are actually cooler and quieter than most 7200 drives

have a pair of them, and they are definitely quieter than my Caviar Black storage drive.

Something is wrong w/ your Black

=on&prod[2772]=on&prod[2770]=on&prod[2369]=on]http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1032.html?prod[2366]=on&prod[2772]=on&prod[2770]=on&prod[2369]=on

Sound Pressure in dba

Raptor - 59.85
WD Black - 53.40
Spinpoint F3 - 42.60
Seagate 7200.12 - 41.23

With 3 db representing a doubling of sound pressure......the Raptors are 4 times louder than the Black, 64 times louder than the 7200.12's The Raptor is comparable to a person talking at 1m .... the 7200 the sound level at a library....that's one of the reasons (heat being the other) that NAS vendors are fond of the 7200's.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/TableOfSoundPressureLevels.htm

 

[Dougx1317]

I was actually just saying that my decision for the 2.5" drive had nothing to do with heat or noise. I have three 120mm fans pushing 90cfm each. Even at 50%, those fans create enough noise to drown out the hard drive noises. Plus my case is on the carpet floor under my desk.

 

[cjl]

Something is wrong w/ your Black

=on&prod[2772]=on&prod[2770]=on&prod[2369]=on]http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1032.html?prod[2366]=on&prod[2772]=on&prod[2770]=on&prod[2369]=on

Sound Pressure in dba

Raptor - 59.85
WD Black - 53.40
Spinpoint F3 - 42.60
Seagate 7200.12 - 41.23

With 3 db representing a doubling of sound pressure......the Raptors are 4 times louder than the Black, 64 times louder than the 7200.12's The Raptor is comparable to a person talking at 1m .... the 7200 the sound level at a library....that's one of the reasons (heat being the other) that NAS vendors are fond of the 7200's.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/TableOfSoundPressureLevels.htm

That's the old 3.5" Raptor. The velociraptor is a completely new design which is a LOT quieter.

 

[Dougx1317]

I have the 2.5" velocirapror in the 3.5" heatsink. I think it's fairly quiet, but I won't compare it to anything. The fans take way too much noise to compare it to.

 

[donpacific2k]

Well you could always buy a few cheap o rings for your hard drive screws and mount with whichever one you choose to keep to help reduce the noise.

 

[Dougx1317]

Like I said before, the hard drives are inaudible over these monster fans. Noise is not a problem for me.