How to test HD speed?

[jranaudo]

Can anyone recommend a free tool to test the speed of your HD?

It seems my write speed may be faster than my read speed.

I built a machine using a Western Digital WD15EARS hard drive. I was running an application called LanSpeedTest which is used to measure network speed (estimated of course) and noticed the write speed is faster than read which shouldn't never be the case.

Obviously my next question would be WHY is this happening but let me get some solid stats first.

 

[Hawkeye22]

Try HDTach or HDTune. Both are pretty good, but I think HDTach gives more accurate results.

As for your lan test, the network card and drivers can make a difference. Check your speed with NetCPS. This program uses TCP which bypasses your hard drive.

 

[jranaudo]

Best answer selected by jranaudo.