Buying a new HDD, need to choose from 3

-={420}=- · Dec 5, 2003, 11:05 PM

I really need a new hard drive because I feel this Maxtor is dying and I don't want it to be too late. Don't ask how I know. Anyways, I narrowed it down to 2 drives. Here they are:

Seagate 120GB / 7200 / 8MB / 9.3 / ATA-100 EIDE Hard Drive

Western Digital 120GB / 7200 RPM / 8MB / 8.9ms / ATA-100 / EIDE Hard Drive

Basically, I would probably buy the one with the lowest seek time (WD) but what I am most interested in is reliability. That is my #1 priority. That's why I came here to see what you guys have to say as far as reliaibility goes on these 2 companies/HDDs. I was definitely turned away from Maxtor after my hard drive died as did those of many others I know. Right now the one I have is giving me many problems which I will not get into detail with. I need to get a new hard drive soon so I would appreciate your advice in helping me choose the most reliable of the two.

If your could find another good choice for around $100 then please tell me.

~~craig588~~ · Dec 5, 2003, 11:16 PM

I would go with WD. Why? They have NEVER failed me. I have had EVERY other brand have a HD die on me

Necrosis · Dec 5, 2003, 11:19 PM

Definitely not the third choice. I have my first Seagate drive & am quite impressed. It filled in for the 160 when it took a dump this past summer.

-={420}=- · Dec 5, 2003, 11:24 PM

You've had a seagate fail on you? That's pretty hard to believe. Hmm... I've never heard of WD having any reliability problems...

Actually, the Hitachi's out -- dunno why I missed this.. I have the Tigerdirect magazine and there's an easy comparison chart... Hitachi's the only one with 1 year warranty (not so much that I care) and it's not even in stock ATM. But, something's telling me it's not as reliable as the other 2 because both have 3 year warranties. That tells me those companies are confident in their product.

Seeing as WD has the lower seek time, It's currently my #1 pick.

-={420}=- · Dec 5, 2003, 11:26 PM

OK, so far...

1 vote - WD
1 vote - Seagate

Necrosis · Dec 5, 2003, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by -={420}=-
You've had a seagate fail on you? That's pretty hard to believe. Hmm... I've never heard of WD having any reliability problems...

Actually, the Hitachi's out -- dunno why I missed this.. I have the Tigerdirect magazine and there's an easy comparison chart... Hitachi's the only one with 1 year warranty (not so much that I care) and it's not even in stock ATM. But, something's telling me it's not as reliable as the other 2 because both have 3 year warranties. That tells me those companies are confident in their product.

Seeing as WD has the lower seek time, It's currently my #1 pick.

I was surprised too..but the conditions how it failed were more to blame. BTW, have you thought about going Serial ATA?

~~craig588~~ · Dec 5, 2003, 11:29 PM

I have had 2 segate drives die on me.

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Necrosis
I was surprised too..but the conditions how it failed were more to blame. BTW, have you thought about going Serial ATA?

I didn't win the lottery here. Just have $100 to spend on a new hard drive. I don't wanna buy extra equipment which of course will also lead to new problems, my mobo doesn't have SATA built in so I would have to buy a card, the special power connectors, new cables, etc. which I don't have the money for atm. One thing I might do is set up RAID 1 because that won't cost me anything as my mobo already has this feature and mirroring is just what I need so I don't have to worry about losing my data.

Quote:

Originally posted by craig588
I have had 2 segate drives die on me.

Ouch!
That's 1 more point for WD.

scobywhru · Dec 6, 2003, 12:55 AM

Seagate barracudas are pretty quiet but the Western Digital should be faster, and I beleive the WD SE 8mb Cache drive has about the longest warranty out there of the two drives

Necrosis · Dec 6, 2003, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by -={420}=-
I didn't win the lottery here. Just have $100 to spend on a new hard drive. I don't wanna buy extra equipment which of course will also lead to new problems, my mobo doesn't have SATA built in so I would have to buy a card, the special power connectors, new cables, etc. which I don't have the money for atm. One thing I might do is set up RAID 1 because that won't cost me anything as my mobo already has this feature and mirroring is just what I need so I don't have to worry about losing my data.Ouch!
That's 1 more point for WD.

Oh I thought your board had it on-board..well screw that idea. However, I do want to say because one person has had problems with a manufacture doesn't mean everyone else well. Okay...maybe IBM but that was from poor engineering. There is many factors you have to throw in the mix..for example just a few years ago WD sucked pretty bad. However, I will say I prefer WD's registration & support over Seagate's too. Honestly, for IDE WD is the way to go.

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scobywhru
Seagate barracudas are pretty quiet but the Western Digital should be faster, and I beleive the WD SE 8mb Cache drive has about the longest warranty out there of the two drives

Yes the WD is faster. The warranty is 3 years for both of them.
ATM, I'm leaning towards the WD...

krazy1 · Dec 6, 2003, 01:07 AM

I like both WD and Seagate... if I had to choose one or the other I would go with Seagate.... Seagate to me is better but not by much at all.......

Quote:

You've had a seagate fail on you? That's pretty hard to believe.

No it isn't.. ANY drive can fail.. at work our systems come with either WD or Seagate and I have seen them both die..... We had a system come in a month ago and the the Seagate drive failed the end of last week. It is bound to happen. Mechanical things will fail....

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 01:51 AM

Yeah, I mean any piece of equipment can fail. But, in general, both WD and Seagate have a good reputation. From what I've heard though, Seagate is more reliable.

krazy1 · Dec 6, 2003, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by -={420}=-
Yeah, I mean any piece of equipment can fail. But, in general, both WD and Seagate have a good reputation. From what I've heard though, Seagate is more reliable.

Not by much... but yes a hair more reliable.....

vk2amv · Dec 6, 2003, 05:00 AM

I have had a lot higher percentage of Segate drivfes die on me than Western Digital. And I have had and also sold a lot of both. Seagate have lost the bal as far as reliability and quality goes and WD have picked it up. At least thats my opinion.