Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB

polonyc2 · 06-20-2009, 10:59 PM

just bought myself one of the new Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black drives from Newegg...excellent price for the OEM version--$67 with free shipping...there is a special 10% deal going on through 06/22 so that knocked off an extra $7.50 from the $74.99 price

some of the features of the WD6401AALS:

2 x 320GB platters
dual processors
32mb cache
5 yr warranty

this is right up there with the Velociraptor as far as overall performance and is definitely one of the top performing mechanical drives out...this is a nice drive to hold me over until SSD's become viable

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

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**ctal** · 06-21-2009, 09:06 AM

Yes, that's a great choice, and a great value. I've been using several of its predecessor model, the WD6400AAKS which has only 16mB cache, for the second and third hard drives (for video files, images, backups, etc.) in the two systems I built last year. Been very pleased with them.

I use a VelociRaptor and an older Raptor as the system drives, because of their faster access times, but at much greater cost and with much less storage capacity.

As we discussed recently in another thread, create a smallish partition at the front of the drive for your system partition, and you'll improve the access times substantially. For sustained read and write speeds, and its overall combination of performance, storage capacity, and cost, I don't know of anything better than this drive.

Regards,
-- Al

rjs735 · 06-21-2009, 10:08 AM

I have been along time fan of WDC . Most of the HDs I have are WDC drives.

I am running 2 500GB AAKS in my D-link sata 323 Network attached storage unit.

Good drive choices Polonyc2 and Ctal

polonyc2 · 06-21-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Yes, that's a great choice, and a great value. I've been using several of its predecessor model, the WD6400AAKS which has only 16mB cache, for the second and third hard drives (for video files, images, backups, etc.) in the two systems I built last year. Been very pleased with them.

I use a VelociRaptor and an older Raptor as the system drives, because of their faster access times, but at much greater cost and with much less storage capacity.

As we discussed recently in another thread, create a smallish partition at the front of the drive for your system partition, and you'll improve the access times substantially. For sustained read and write speeds, and its overall combination of performance, storage capacity, and cost, I don't know of anything better than this drive.

Regards,
-- Al

I'm going to try creating that small partition in the front with this new drive...the Velociraptor is the faster overall drive but not by as much as people would think (the WD6401AALS is usually within 10% of the Velociraptor)...some benchmarks I saw put this drive toe to toe with it and it's definitely faster then the older Raptors...but as you stated you can't beat the price/performace factor...I also love the fact that it's a 2 platter drive (should help with heat/noise)...the 640GB drive is the best of the new Black line of drives (which also include 750GB and 1TB drives)...the 750/1TB models have more platters and decreased overall performance

don't think the extra cache is really going to make a difference and is probably just marketing but it can't hurt I guess...I don't know what WD did to these drives to make them such excellent performers (firmware upgrade?) but all the reviews I've read really impressed me

by the way for those interested, Newegg's 10% additional discount applies to all internal/external drives through 06/22...

Limited-time Coupon: 10% Off All Internal, External & Laptop HDDs! Plus deals on…

*PeterT* · 06-21-2009, 06:40 PM

Are these faster than the old raptor 150?
If so, I'll get one to replace the boot drive in my main rig.

edit: Judging from what I can find on the web, looks like they are... And I would create an 80GB "C" partition, so, that would help the access times.

polonyc2 · 06-21-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Are these faster than the old raptor 150?
If so, I'll get one to replace the boot drive in my main rig.

edit: Judging from what I can find on the web, looks like they are... And I would create an 80GB "C" partition, so, that would help the access times.

I read that they definitely are faster then the older Raptors...WD must have tweaked their design or implemented something new in these new drives as they apparently are really impressive

**ctal** · 06-21-2009, 07:39 PM

Ask and ye shall receive! Note that the 640 is the WD6400AAKS, which is the predecessor of what Poly just purchased.

As might be expected, the Raptor is significantly faster in access time; the 640 is significantly faster in sustained transfer rate and burst rate.

-- Al

*PeterT* · 06-21-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I read that they definitely are faster then the older Raptors...WD must have tweaked their design or implemented something new in these new drives as they apparently are really impressive

Cool. Thanks for the heads up.

*PeterT* · 06-21-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Ask and ye shall receive! Note that the 640 is the WD6400AAKS, which is the predecessor of what Poly just purchased.

As might be expected, the Raptor is significantly faster in access time; the 640 is significantly faster in sustained transfer rate and burst rate.

-- Al

Thanks Al. Yeah, the only thing better is access time, but an 80GB "C" partition would help there.

polonyc2 · 06-21-2009, 07:48 PM

the WD6401AALS should hopefully improve on those benchmark scores ctal posted...but $67 for a 640GB 2 platter drive is too good to pass up regardless

**ctal** · 06-21-2009, 08:00 PM

For comparison purposes, here is the 300gB VelociRaptor:

polonyc2 · 06-21-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

And I would create an 80GB "C" partition, so, that would help the access times.

wouldn't it be better to use the smaller hard drive for this purpose and the larger one for storage?

*PeterT* · 06-22-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

wouldn't it be better to use the smaller hard drive for this purpose and the larger one for storage?

I have other drives in this box for storage. I will use the 640 as the boot drive in this box (80/560) and use the Raptor 150 as the boot drive in my "test" box.
Just ordered one. The price dropped to 69, so got it for 62 w/ free shipping.

polonyc2 · 06-22-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Just ordered one. The price dropped to 69, so got it for 62 w/ free shipping.

sweet...I should have waited an extra day to order

polonyc2 · 06-23-2009, 04:45 PM

my drive arrived today...after hearing some horror stories about how Newegg packs these OEM drives I was glad that mine arrived safely...it was packaged really well--came in an anti-static bag, completely taped in thick bubble wrap and the box was filled with those packing peanuts...seemed like it did not shift too much during transit

I'm also very happy to see that the drive is new with a manufacture date of May 4, 2009

...so I got one of the latest drives manufactured...hopefully the drive will work

...it would be crazy if after listing all the positive aspects of the shipping, pacaging etc that the drive was DOA

06-20-2009, 10:59 PM	#1
polonyc2 Banned? Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,196	Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB just bought myself one of the new Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black drives from Newegg...excellent price for the OEM version--$67 with free shipping...there is a special 10% deal going on through 06/22 so that knocked off an extra $7.50 from the $74.99 price some of the features of the WD6401AALS: 2 x 320GB platters dual processors 32mb cache 5 yr warranty this is right up there with the Velociraptor as far as overall performance and is definitely one of the top performing mechanical drives out...this is a nice drive to hold me over until SSD's become viable Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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06-21-2009, 09:06 AM	#2
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,998	Re: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB Yes, that's a great choice, and a great value. I've been using several of its predecessor model, the WD6400AAKS which has only 16mB cache, for the second and third hard drives (for video files, images, backups, etc.) in the two systems I built last year. Been very pleased with them. I use a VelociRaptor and an older Raptor as the system drives, because of their faster access times, but at much greater cost and with much less storage capacity. As we discussed recently in another thread, create a smallish partition at the front of the drive for your system partition, and you'll improve the access times substantially. For sustained read and write speeds, and its overall combination of performance, storage capacity, and cost, I don't know of anything better than this drive. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
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06-21-2009, 10:08 AM	#3
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,965	Re: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB I have been along time fan of WDC . Most of the HDs I have are WDC drives. I am running 2 500GB AAKS in my D-link sata 323 Network attached storage unit. Good drive choices Polonyc2 and Ctal __________________ Giga ga-ep45-ud3p 2.8 E8400 4mb Ram WDC 500Gb XP pro Win7 32 Win7 64 Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless Dlink DNS-323 1TB NAS
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06-21-2009, 06:40 PM	#5
PeterT CUSL2...GA-EP45-UD3P...? Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sunny Florida, USA Posts: 2,939	Re: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB Are these faster than the old raptor 150? If so, I'll get one to replace the boot drive in my main rig. edit: Judging from what I can find on the web, looks like they are... And I would create an 80GB "C" partition, so, that would help the access times. __________________ Proud Member: Team-CUSL2 - 'The Old School Crew' Asus Eee PC 1000HE, 1x2GB Corsair DDR2 667 GA-EP45-UD3P, Q9550, 4x2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800, EVGA 9800GTX+ 512MB GA-EP45-DS3L, E7200, 4x2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800, Asus EAH4850 TOP 512MB GA-EP45-UD3P, E6600, 4x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066, EVGA 8800GTS 512MB P5B-D in a box at the moment P4P800-D, P4 2.4C, 4x512MB Mushkin DDR 400, ATI AIW X800XT 256MB TUSL2C, P3-S 1.4, 2x256MB Corsair XMS150, ATI 9800PRO 128MB, TB Santa Cruz CUSL2, P3 1.0, 1x256MB & 2x128MB Corsair PC133, Asus V7700D 32MB, SB Live! * Please join ABXZone and participate * Last edited by PeterT; 06-21-2009 at 07:14 PM..
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06-21-2009, 07:48 PM	#10
polonyc2 Banned? Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,196	the WD6401AALS should hopefully improve on those benchmark scores ctal posted...but $67 for a 640GB 2 platter drive is too good to pass up regardless __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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06-23-2009, 04:45 PM	#15
polonyc2 Banned? Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,196	my drive arrived today...after hearing some horror stories about how Newegg packs these OEM drives I was glad that mine arrived safely...it was packaged really well--came in an anti-static bag, completely taped in thick bubble wrap and the box was filled with those packing peanuts...seemed like it did not shift too much during transit I'm also very happy to see that the drive is new with a manufacture date of May 4, 2009 ...so I got one of the latest drives manufactured...hopefully the drive will work ...it would be crazy if after listing all the positive aspects of the shipping, pacaging etc that the drive was DOA __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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