Scorpio Blue: Big Notebook HDDs Go Mainstream

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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

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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.