Scorpio Blue: Big Notebook HDDs Go Mainstream

Test Setup And Transfer Diagram

Test Setup for Performance Benchmarks

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System Hardware
Processors2X Intel Xeon Processor ( Nocona Core)3.6 GHz, FSB800, 1 MB L2 Cache
PlatformAsus NCL-DS (Socket - 604)Intel E7520 Chipset, BIOS 1005
RAMCorsair CM72DD512AR-400 (DDR2-400 ECC, reg), 2 x 512 MB, CL3-3-3-10 Timings
System Hard DriveWestern Digital Caviar WD1200JB120 GB, 7,200 RPM, 8 MB Cache, Ultra ATA / 100
Mass Storage Controller (s)Intel 82801EB UltraATA  / 100 Controller ( ICH5)Promise FastTrak TX4310Driver 2.06.1.310
NetworkingBroadcom BCM5721 On-Board Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Graphic SubsystemOn-board GraphicsATI RageXL, 8 MB
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System Hardware
Performance Measurementsc't h2benchw 3.6, PCMark05 V1.01
I/O PerformanceIOmeter 2003.05.10Fileserver-BenchmarkWebserver-BenchmarkDatabase-BenchmarkWorkstation-Benchmark
I/O Performance While Power MeasuredIOmeter 2006.07.27Workstation-BenchmarkStreaming-Benchmark
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System Software&Drivers
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Service Pack 1
Platform DriverIntel Chipset Installation Utility 7.0.0.1025
Graphic DriverDefault Windows Graphics Drivers

Test Setup for Efficiency and Power Tests

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Platform Power Consumption Idle + Video
NotebookDell Latitude D630, Mobile Intel Chipset
CPUIntel Core 2 Duo T9500 (45 nm, 2600 MHz, 6 MB L2 Cache)
RAMCorsair ValueRAM 2x 2018 MB DDR2-667 SDRAM 5-5-5-15
DVD-ROM8x DVD+ / -RW
WirelessIntel 4965 WLAN (802.11a/g/n) mini Card
Screen14 inches Widescreen WXGA + LCD (1400 x 900)
Graphics CardIntel integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Sound CardIntegrated
Power Supply9-cell/85Whr Primary Battery
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System Software and Drivers
OSWindows Vista Ultimate 6.0 Build SP1
DirectX Version10
Platform Drivers IntelVersion 8.2.0.1014
Graphics Driversigdumd32.dll (7.14.00.10.1253)
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Platform Mobilemark07 + Sysmark Preview 2007
NotebookDell Latitude D630Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset
CPUIntel Core 2 Duo T9300 (45 nm, 2500 MHz, 6 MB L2 Cache)
RAMSamsung M470T5663QZ3 2x 2048 MB DDR2-667 SDRAM 5-5-5-15
DVD-ROM8x DVR +/- RW
WirelessIntel 4965 WLAN (802.11a/b/g) mini Card
Screen14.1 inch Widescreen WXGA+LCD (1400x900)
Graphics CardIntel integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Sound CardIntegrated
Power Supply6-Cell/56 Whr Primary Battery
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System Software and Drivers
OSWindows XP SP2 (Sysmark Preview 2007)Windows Vista Ultimate 6.0 Build 6000 SP1 (Mobilemark07)
DirectX Version9
Platform Drivers IntelVersion 8.2.0.1014
Graphics DriversVersion 6.14.10.4926
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Benchmarks and Settings
VLCVersion Playing  VOB file
BAPCO MobileMark 2007Version 1.04Productivity 2007
BAPCO Sysmark Preview 2007Version 1.04Single Run

Transfer Diagram

As mentioned above, the performance level of the new 500 GB Western Digital Scorpio Blue equals that of a 750 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10, which is a 3.5” desktop hard drive. It starts at above 80 MB/s and goes down to a bit more than 40 MB/s minimum transfer rate. These results are valid for both reads and writes.