Seagate Barracuda ST3160023A vs. Western Digital WD1600JB??

[T.T. Lee]

Hi, as title, in general, which one "should" be a better choice? The
Seagate ST3160023A has 2MB cache while the Western Digital WD1600JB
(both are 160GB) has 8MB cache, but I'm not sure whether the cache
would really matter for the average performance.... any comments or
thoughts? Is there any hardware website review these two hard disks?
How about their "reliability" when considering these two
brands/models? I seem to have better impression with the Western
Digital...(I have some bad experience with seagate drives before..)

Comments and thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

 

[Rod Speed]

Hi, as title, in general, which one "should" be a better choice?

I'd personally go for the Samsung SP1614N instead.

In fact I have just done that.

The Seagate ST3160023A has 2MB cache while the
Western Digital WD1600JB (both are 160GB) has 8MB cache,
but I'm not sure whether the cache > would really matter
for the average performance.... any comments or thoughts?

I bet you couldnt pick that in a proper double blind trial
without being able to use a benchmark or diagnostic.

The most important differences between those two
drivesis that the WD still doesnt have a fluid bearing, which
means that it may well develop an irritating whine over time.

The fools at Seagate have chosen to disable AAM due to a
percieved patent infringement and they got too hot for my tasted.

The WD has a unique jumper scheme when its the only
drive on the ribbon cable and cable select isnt being
used. Thats more of a nuisance than anything else, but
can be a problem if you use it in a removable drive bay kit.

The WD doesnt have an internal SMART temperature sensor
which means it isnt easy to keep track of how hot its getting.

The Samsung doesnt have any of those problems, is amazingly
quiet, has a full 3 year warranty on all their drives. The main
downside with Samsungs is that not as many operations sell them.

Is there any hardware website review these two hard disks?
www.storagereview.com

How about their "reliability" when considering these two brands/models?

I doubt there is anything much in it between the Seagate and the
WD. The Samsung appears to have less returns, but thats hard
to be sure because its sold in lower volumes than the other two.

I seem to have better impression with the Western Digital...
(I have some bad experience with seagate drives before..)

Yeah, but a few have with the current WDs too.