Conclusion: Samsung Leads The Pack
After completing our benchmarks, the following facts emerged: The Spinpoint family is as unsuitable for use in I/O-heavy applications in the server and workstation area as the mainstream drives of other manufacturers. Specialists like the WD740 Raptor show which way the wind is blowing here.
On the other hand, the Spinpoint P120 does set new standards in the desktop segment: with up to 72 MB/s it offers the highest transfer rates measured thus far for a drive with 7,200 rpm. At the same time, the average transfer rate is better than the competition's. With an access time of just over 14 ms, the P120 takes things more leisurely than the latest drives from Hitachi, Maxtor and WD.
In combination with low waste heat and very quiet operating noise that is quieter than the best fans, the Spinpoint P120 cut a persuasive figure in the test lab, making it equally suitable for a fast multimedia or gaming PC.
