🚀 go-pugleaf

Adam Cumberlege <cumberlg@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
>
>In article <41acsb$19r@datamagic.com>, <kanefsky@datamagic.com> writes:
>> Path: news.nznet.gen.nz!kcbbs!auckland.ac.nz!comp.vuw.ac.nz!uunet!in1.uu.net!news.sprintlink.net!news.seanet.com!not-for-mail
>> I've read some of the articles recently complaining about the noise of the
>> Grand Prix, and I've finally got to hear one for myself.  It really *is*
>> loud, making a very annoying high pitched whine, a constant
>> lower-frequency noise, and very loud seeking noises too.  It also vibrates
>> very strongly and you have to be careful about what you put on top of or
>> next to the enclosure or the vibrations will cause a very loud buzzing
>> noise.
>> 
>> My question is this:  Is there anyone who's had direct experience with
>> both the Grand Prix and any of the other 4G 7200 RPM drives (Barracuda, 
>> Ultrastar XP, and particularly the Atlas) who could compare them for me 
>> with respect to noise?  Ideally I'd like a comparison of the different 
>> components of the noise I mentioned above.  We all react differently to 
>> different kinds of noise.  The high-frequency whine bothers me the most 
>> (but on the other hand is probably the easiest to block).  The constant
>> low-frequency drone is next, and the seeking noises bother me the least.
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks in advance,
>>   
>> --
>> Steve Kanefsky
>> 
>> 
>Yes, I've seen some noisey drives too.  Reently, I installed a Barracuda and 
>it shook the whole cabinet - somehow, I can't see those bearings lasting 5 
>years (the drives warranty).
>
>On the otherhand, IBM's DHFS drives (Ultrstar) are just "normal" - they spin 
>quietly to themselves and give good performance.  
>
>Down in the low capacity, I was so impressed by the quietness of Quantum 540MB 
>IDE drives, that I installed them in my home PC's. Together with a low-noise 
>power-supply fan, no-one can tell when the computer is switched on - honest!  
>It certainly makes working with computers less tiring when you get rid of that 
>background noise.
>
>Adam Cumberlege		New Zealand Disk and Tape Ltd

Interesting how different folks rate the same drives quiet or loud. I have a 4G
(IBM) UltraStar that seems to fit kanefsky@datamagic.com's description of the
Grand Prix almost exactly.  The seeking noise doesn't bother me as much as the
whine and humming. I may be excessively touchy about drive and fan noise, as
I put my computer in a closet on the other side of a plaster wall BEFORE I got
the 7200 RPM drive. The sounds-like 120 Hz vibration from the new drive makes 
it past the wall and has the entire computer cabinet buzzing noticeably. I 
share your concerns about the spindle bearings.  Are we hearing drive to 
drive variations from one manufacturer, person to person variation in 
sensitivity, or both?