Which HDD? 1-2TB and very low noise

Desmo · 24-05-2012, 10:16

Hi guys,

Looking to buy a 1-2TB drive soon but low noise is probably the most important factor for me. I've been looking at WD Green Caviars as they seem to get good reviews on the noise front. Also the 1.5 seems to be quieter than the 2 due to fewer platters and I'm happy to compromise on size for silence if I need to.

Any other options out there?

Will · 24-05-2012, 11:50

Only ever experienced the Green caviars - you could go SSD but they're uber expensive.

You could get a drive enclosure.

Also it depends if you want a 7200 or 5400 rpm drive.

Single platter is ever quieter.

LeperousDust · 24-05-2012, 12:09

It's been truly years since I played with big hard drives (as opposed to notebook variety) so I'm sure i'm out of date, but the samsung drives I had were always VERY well behaved noise-wise in comparison to all my others (others being seagates and generic WD's)

Desmo · 24-05-2012, 13:39

Can't use a caddy, it's to go in an HP micro server

It's mainly for serving files and some video conversion.

Mondo · 24-05-2012, 15:22

I prefer to put Samsung drives in my drobo, can't complain about it's noise.

Davey_Pitch · 24-05-2012, 21:26

I've used WD drives for years, and while I've had the odd problem (who hasn't with HDDs though?), I've found the WD Green Caviers to be as reliable as any drive I've had before or since. I've currently got one in my NAS box running just fine

Zirax · 24-05-2012, 21:55

WD Green or Samsung are a good bet. I have 2TB of each.

If you are putting them in a micro server make sure to get either them from different shops or mismatch brands. Reason is if you put them in raid 1, there is a chance they will go at the same time. 2TB + of data is not the sort of size to mess around backup wise

Desmo · 25-05-2012, 21:35

Went for a 1.5TB WD Green in the end...£55.

Joe 90 · 26-05-2012, 11:46

The WDs seem a good choice. I have a WD20EARX (2tb) in a NAS in the lounge & you can't hear it so the greens should in theory be even quieter.

Desmo · 27-05-2012, 20:18

Really pleased with this machine, it's extremely quiet

New drive should be here in the week.

24-05-2012, 10:16	#1
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Which HDD? 1-2TB and very low noise Hi guys, Looking to buy a 1-2TB drive soon but low noise is probably the most important factor for me. I've been looking at WD Green Caviars as they seem to get good reviews on the noise front. Also the 1.5 seems to be quieter than the 2 due to fewer platters and I'm happy to compromise on size for silence if I need to. Any other options out there? __________________

24-05-2012, 11:50	#2
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Only ever experienced the Green caviars - you could go SSD but they're uber expensive. You could get a drive enclosure. Also it depends if you want a 7200 or 5400 rpm drive. Single platter is ever quieter. __________________ *No No!*

24-05-2012, 12:09	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	It's been truly years since I played with big hard drives (as opposed to notebook variety) so I'm sure i'm out of date, but the samsung drives I had were always VERY well behaved noise-wise in comparison to all my others (others being seagates and generic WD's) __________________

24-05-2012, 13:39	#4
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Can't use a caddy, it's to go in an HP micro server It's mainly for serving files and some video conversion. __________________

24-05-2012, 15:22	#5
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	I prefer to put Samsung drives in my drobo, can't complain about it's noise. __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

24-05-2012, 21:26	#6
Davey_Pitch I iz speshul Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 6,296	I've used WD drives for years, and while I've had the odd problem (who hasn't with HDDs though?), I've found the WD Green Caviers to be as reliable as any drive I've had before or since. I've currently got one in my NAS box running just fine __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

24-05-2012, 21:55	#7
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	WD Green or Samsung are a good bet. I have 2TB of each. If you are putting them in a micro server make sure to get either them from different shops or mismatch brands. Reason is if you put them in raid 1, there is a chance they will go at the same time. 2TB + of data is not the sort of size to mess around backup wise

25-05-2012, 21:35	#8
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Went for a 1.5TB WD Green in the end...£55. __________________

26-05-2012, 11:46	#9
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	The WDs seem a good choice. I have a WD20EARX (2tb) in a NAS in the lounge & you can't hear it so the greens should in theory be even quieter. __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

27-05-2012, 20:18	#10
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Really pleased with this machine, it's extremely quiet New drive should be here in the week. __________________