WD Caviar GP: The "Green" 1 TB Drive

Features
By Patrick Schmid
published

Terabyte drives from Samsung and Seagate have been delayed, but WD just released a new 1,000 GB hard drive called the Caviar GP. It's no performance champion, but it's probably the most efficient desktop hard drive ever.

Feature Table

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ManufacturerWestern Digital
ModelCaviar GP
Model NumberWD10EACS
Capacity1,000 GB
Spindle Speed5,400 to 7,200 RPM
Other Capacities500, 750 GB
Platters4
Cache16 MB
NCQYes
InterfaceSATA/300
Warranty3 years

Test Setup

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System Hardware
Processor(s)2x 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.)2x 512 MB, CL3-3-3-10 Timings
System Hard DriveWestern Digital Caviar WD1200JB120 GB, 7,200 RPM, 8 MB Cache, UltraATA/100
Mass Storage Controller(s)Intel 82801EB UltraATA/100 Controller (ICH5)Promise SATA 300TX4ICP 5085BL 8-Port SAS/300
NetworkingBroadcom BCM5721 On-Board Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Graphics SubsystemOn-Board GraphicsATI RageXL, 8 MB
System Hardware
Performance MeasurementsAtto Diskmark
I/O PerformanceIOMeter 2003.05.10Fileserver-BenchmarkWebserver-BenchmarkDatabase-BenchmarkWorkstation-Benchmark
System Software & Drivers
OSMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Service Pack 1
Platform DriverIntel Chipset Installation Utility 7.0.0.1025
Graphics DriverDefault Windows Graphics Driver
Patrick Schmid
4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Dick99999
    I wonder whether the following should be read such that each GP model has it's own but otherwise fixed RPM for that model.
    WD spec sheet says:
    "IntelliPower™ — A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate, and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. For each GreenPower™ drive model, WD may use a different, invariable RPM."

    Or is it really a fully dynamic RPM during operation as could be read by:
    "WD goes down this path with its Caviar GP drives, as the firm adjusts the rotation speed anywhere between 5,400 RPM and up to 7,200 RPM dynamically for each model."


    Reply
  • Dick99999
    Sorry, it seems every series has a different description. I quoted the Caviar GP and the tech overview. The different descriptions are:

    RE2-GP series
    IntelliPower — A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate, and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. Additionally,....
    AV-GP series
    IntelliPower – A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate, and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance.

    Caviar®GP
    IntelliPower™ — A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate, and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. For each GreenPower™ drive model, WD may use a different, invariable RPM.
    Reply
  • All GP drive are fixed 5400rpm as of today. No they do not vary RPM, this reviewer does not know what he is talking about. It has been proven mathematically with access times and acoustical measuring. Further more, WD does NOT claim the spindle speed varies. They CONFIRM that the spindle speed is INvariable as clearly stated below. WD has pulled ALL GP spindle speed information off their website to avoid confusion and to not detour people from this great drive.

    Caviar®GP
    IntelliPower™ — A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate, and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. For each GreenPower™ drive model, WD may use a different, invariable RPM.
    Reply
  • TheCloud903
    How about this one...????
    Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2 TB Desktop Hard Drive
    Reply