[SOLVED] New Hard Drive to replace the one that got FRIED!

**Nibiru2012** · Nibiru2012's Computer Specs

I'm sure most of you remember last week or so when that "whatever it was" got into my system and took it down hard, even crashing my internal secondary hard drive.

Found a new one today on eBay (Yes Cliff, I know you don't like eBay but this was a "one of kind deal" that I couldn't pass up.) for $41 plus $5 shipping. I won the auction. BUT first I did my homework on this little puppy.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 16 MB cache, 1 platter only. When Samsung announced this drive, when new, as the “WD Black series killer”.

That statement in itself is one that really got me curious about this HDD. It also has average read and write speeds of over 110MB/s ! Again VERY impressive.

Here are some tests and benchmarks I found from a review at InsideHW.com:

Here's the HD Tune Pro v3.5 READ Benchmark test.

Here's the WRITE Benchmark test.

This is the ATTO Disk Benchmark

So after all is said and done, this is one HELL of a ROCKIN' hard drive! Most other e-tailers are selling it for anywhere from $59.95 to over $80 plus shipping.

I think the HDD gods were with me on this baby. With speeds like this I'm going to make it my primary drive and make my other Samsung HD502IJ my secondary drive.

Should have by the end of next week.

NOTE: I would like to thank InsideHW.com for the review and benchmark captures.

This is a very interesting statement from the review

Quote:

This Spinpoint F3 model can be compared even with newest ultra-fast WD Raptor that has lower access times that allows it to have slightly higher transfer rates. Interesting detail when it comes to Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ is the fact that write speeds were always higher than read speeds which is the phenomena that we encountered for the first time.

**clifford_cooley** · clifford_cooley's Computer Specs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nibiru2012

Found a new one today on eBay (Yes Cliff, I know you don't like eBay but this was a "one of kind deal" that I couldn't pass up.)

Why should I complain if you are satisfied with your purchase.

Mychael · Mychael's Computer Specs

I was aware that Samsung drives were around but are they relatively new in the HDD market.?

catilley1092 · catilley1092's Computer Specs

The hard drive in my laptop is a Samsung, I don't know if it's the original. If it is, it's five years old.

Nibiru, there's a 1TB drive of the same series (Spinpoint F3, 32MB) up for bid now. It's currently at $41, but that will go up.

AK762 · AK762's Computer Specs

Samsung drives are a poor choice; they are loud and run relatively hot. I would only consider Seagate for my hard drive purchases now - cheap and quiet. Hopefully that drive isn't used. As for performance, all hard drives are roughly the same if they are built within the same period, that's why virtually all modern hard drives receive a WEI of 5.9 unless they are really old and decrepit. Anyway, I would never purchase Samsung anymore.

Fire cat · Fire cat's Computer Specs

I have 3 samsung drives, and they're great! They have loads of storage with high speeds while keeping silent and cool.

They're pretty long lasting too. In other words, Samsung drives rock! Very good choice Niburu!

I'm going to buy the "Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ" with an enclosure. 300mb/s! WOW!
Definitly going to store all data on it, might even conect it to my home network.

**Nibiru2012** · Nibiru2012's Computer Specs

AK762 -

Quote:

Samsung drives are a poor choice; they are loud and run relatively hot.

Apparently you didn't read the review, sigh. I have 2 Samsung HDD currently and they're the quietest hard drives I have ever owned, so you're mistaken again.

From the review:

Quote:

When it comes to vibrations and noise levels that Samsung Spinpoint F3 produces we must admit that this is one of the quietest hard drives that we encountered, which are great news. Until now we accepted Raptor noise levels as something that comes with territory and high transfer rates, but after Samsung Spinpoint F3 - no more.

Regarding the heat factor, my two Samsung drives usually run around 23 - 26 Celesius, so you're mistaken again. Also, my Western Digital run 7-8 Celsius warmer than my Samsung drives.

From the review:

Quote:

Only area where Samsung offered average performances is heating up. It is not getting unpleasantly hot so it cannot be held with bare hands, neither it is warm as WD Raptor with Ice Pack, but rather somewhere in the golden mean where most other HDDs can be also found.

No, the drive is not used, it was advertised as "brand new, in factory packaging".

Regarding WEI scores, 5.9 is the best any platter drives are getting. One must own an SSD to get higher scores.

Oh, by the way, thanks for your positive, uplifting comments... again.

@Cat -

Quote:

Nibiru, there's a 1TB drive of the same series (Spinpoint F3, 32MB) up for bid now. It's currently at $41, but that will go up.

I bought the F3 1TB 32MB cache drive about three weeks ago at eBay for $59 w/free shipping. Another good purchase in my opinion. Thanks for the heads up though.

**Nibiru2012** · Nibiru2012's Computer Specs

Got the drive on Wednesday and it works great!

Here's a Snagit capture of the HD Tune Pro Benchmark section:

Pretty Decent Specs if you ask me, I forgot to turn off Folding@Home, so I think that's why the CPU usage is so high.

Read Speeds are comparable too!

Veedaz · Veedaz's Computer Specs

Samsung HDDs are recognised as one of the better makes (Ive had a few over the years and they last for bloody years ! )

Mychael · Mychael's Computer Specs

Still cant beat the WD drives with 5yr warranty. I had a look at the website for the retailer where I mostly get my stuff. Pricing for the Samsung drives seems competitive with other brands,

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