Hard Drive noise

Eiji · April 28th, 2005

Is it normal for a larger hard drive to make more sound than a small drive ie 80GB vs 200GB?

I have a 80GB Maxtor DiamondMax 9+ and a 200GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10+ and the 200GB is a little bit louder.

**LeeJend** · April 28th, 2005

Noise when?

Spinning up - may be noisier due to larger platters
Idling - they should be about the same.
Seeking a file - may be noisier. Larger head driver for more coverage or higher density

Screeching, knocking or vibrations are a bad thing.

**Zedric** · April 28th, 2005

Higher capacity drive of the same generation and brand are usually a bit noisier and warmer since a low capacity drive has fewer platters than a high capacity drive. The capacity borders between the number of platters varies between brands, models and over time.

**Lee** · April 28th, 2005

My HD makes a small hum, I like it, at least I know it's alive.

Elektro Slime · April 28th, 2005

me too Lee!

anyways HD noise doesn't depend on the size, its the speed that matter. try slowing it down a little the noise should decrease.
also check if ur HD is properly screwd into the HD rack make sure the screws are tight, also its a good idea to use rubber o-rings between the screw and the hole.

**Zedric** · April 28th, 2005

"Slowing it down"?? How the heck would you do that? I'm pretty sure you can't do that. It's either 5400, 7200, 10000 or 15000 RPM depending on what disk you bought.

**Lee** · April 28th, 2005

I saw size metioned, well my 120 gig makes less noise than my old 28 gig, I think the noise is confused from the sound of the fan(s).

**Zedric** · April 28th, 2005

Originally Posted by Lee

I saw size metioned, well my 120 gig makes less noise than my old 28 gig

The key issue being "old" here. Older drives make more noise. That 28 gigger is from before they started using fluid bearings and what not.

Eiji · April 30th, 2005

Originally Posted by LeeJend

Noise when?

Spinning up - may be noisier due to larger platters
Idling - they should be about the same.
Seeking a file - may be noisier. Larger head driver for more coverage or higher density

Screeching, knocking or vibrations are a bad thing.

The 200GB HD is noisier (by about 25%) on all three accounts you mentioned than the 80GB HD but there is no screeching etc.

Both HDs are very secure in the PC hence vibration free and I have analysed the sound using my USB 2 enclosure while the top case is removed (its a ICY BOX) while connected to my laptop so the sound isn't confused/mixed in with the fan noise of my PC.

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #1
Eiji OSNN Addict Joined: February 2004 Location: UK Posts: 120 Reputation: 10 Power: 99	Hard Drive noise Is it normal for a larger hard drive to make more sound than a small drive ie 80GB vs 200GB? I have a 80GB Maxtor DiamondMax 9+ and a 200GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10+ and the 200GB is a little bit louder.

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #2
LeeJend OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: January 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 5,255 Reputation: 3386 Power: 196	Re: Hard Drive noise Noise when? Spinning up - may be noisier due to larger platters Idling - they should be about the same. Seeking a file - may be noisier. Larger head driver for more coverage or higher density Screeching, knocking or vibrations are a bad thing. Thought for the new millenium: In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows and Gates? - Open Office - Firefox - Thunderbird - Gimp -Ubuntu - Red Hat -

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #3
Zedric NTFS Guru Joined: January 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,006 Reputation: 890 Power: 171	Re: Hard Drive noise Higher capacity drive of the same generation and brand are usually a bit noisier and warmer since a low capacity drive has fewer platters than a high capacity drive. The capacity borders between the number of platters varies between brands, models and over time. Did I help you? Please use the reputation system. Click the icon on the left! Proud host of the OSNN.net folding sigs. Want one? Check the folding thread! http://zedric.no-ip.com/

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #4
Lee OSNN Proxy Joined: January 2004 Location: Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, England. Posts: 3,330 Reputation: 1020 Power: 141	Re: Hard Drive noise My HD makes a small hum, I like it, at least I know it's alive.

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #5
Elektro Slime Harware Guru Joined: November 2004 Location: Just due South of Heaven Posts: 334 Reputation: 290 Power: 94	Re: Hard Drive noise me too Lee! anyways HD noise doesn't depend on the size, its the speed that matter. try slowing it down a little the noise should decrease. also check if ur HD is properly screwd into the HD rack make sure the screws are tight, also its a good idea to use rubber o-rings between the screw and the hole. My blog [Under construction] Check out my intel overclocking guide here.

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April 28th, 2005	Top \| #6
Zedric NTFS Guru Joined: January 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,006 Reputation: 890 Power: 171	Re: Hard Drive noise "Slowing it down"?? How the heck would you do that? I'm pretty sure you can't do that. It's either 5400, 7200, 10000 or 15000 RPM depending on what disk you bought. Did I help you? Please use the reputation system. Click the icon on the left! Proud host of the OSNN.net folding sigs. Want one? Check the folding thread! http://zedric.no-ip.com/

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #7
Lee OSNN Proxy Joined: January 2004 Location: Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, England. Posts: 3,330 Reputation: 1020 Power: 141	Re: Hard Drive noise I saw size metioned, well my 120 gig makes less noise than my old 28 gig, I think the noise is confused from the sound of the fan(s).

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #8
Zedric NTFS Guru Joined: January 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,006 Reputation: 890 Power: 171	Re: Hard Drive noise Originally Posted by Lee I saw size metioned, well my 120 gig makes less noise than my old 28 gig The key issue being "old" here. Older drives make more noise. That 28 gigger is from before they started using fluid bearings and what not. Did I help you? Please use the reputation system. Click the icon on the left! Proud host of the OSNN.net folding sigs. Want one? Check the folding thread! http://zedric.no-ip.com/

April 30th, 2005	Top \| #9
Eiji OSNN Addict Joined: February 2004 Location: UK Posts: 120 Reputation: 10 Power: 99	Re: Hard Drive noise Originally Posted by LeeJend Noise when? Spinning up - may be noisier due to larger platters Idling - they should be about the same. Seeking a file - may be noisier. Larger head driver for more coverage or higher density Screeching, knocking or vibrations are a bad thing. The 200GB HD is noisier (by about 25%) on all three accounts you mentioned than the 80GB HD but there is no screeching etc. Both HDs are very secure in the PC hence vibration free and I have analysed the sound using my USB 2 enclosure while the top case is removed (its a ICY BOX) while connected to my laptop so the sound isn't confused/mixed in with the fan noise of my PC.

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