WD Black 3TB HDD Noise

[Deanyo2k7]

Hi, I'm thinking of buying the WD Black 3TB Drive (WD3003FZEX). I've heard reviews of the being quite noisy. Ill have my OS and most applications on my SSD, and this drive will be used for all my games and media files etc. My PC is almost silent so I don't want my HDD to ruin that. It will be attached to a plastic drive bay using anti-vibration screws (rubber washer between HDD and frame) The drive bay then slots into a metal HDD cage.

Thanks

 

[WildCard999]

I've never used the 3tb version but I have used both the 1/2tb versions and there as quiet as they can be for a mechanical drive, should really only be audible (fairly loud) if the drive is faulty or or is going to fail but I suppose it depends on what you consider as noisy.

 

[junkeymonkey]

all mine are near -0- noise ?? maybe a super slight whirl when it spins up and that's listening hard for it -- next to that its like nothing is even in there running ?

I got 2 160gb blacks and 2 500gb's

just be sure you choose the latest drives listed at wd and watch out for the old stock drives

[Specifications - if the drive at the store is not listed here just move on to one that is - opinion- ]
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=760

 

[iNonEntity]

WD Blacks are made for performance, meaning they'll be louder than the normal versions of theirs. But my friend has one and it's not any louder than your average case fan

 

[junkeymonkey]

3tb drive wow I cant fill up a 500gb with all my junk on it

 

[Solandri]

I've never used the 3tb version but I have used both the 1/2tb versions and there as quiet as they can be for a mechanical drive, should really only be audible (fairly loud) if the drive is faulty or or is going to fail but I suppose it depends on what you consider as noisy.

You can't just compare brands and capacities. You have to compare exact models, which is why OP gave the exact model.

http://rml527.blogspot.com/2010/10/hdd-platter-database-western-digital-35_3899.html

Looks like it's a 4 platter drive. That's towards the high end (typically the 3.5" drives are 2 or 3 platter), so yeah you should expect it to be a bit noisier (and run hotter).

Unfortunately, the only site I know which measured HDD noise in their reviews (Silent PC Review) hasn't done any meaningful reviewing in 8 years. So you'll probably have to just buy it from a store with a good return policy, and return it if it turns out to be too noisy for your needs.

I never found rubber washers to be very effective. I ended up suspending my drive cage with velcro cable ties. The HDD noise isolation boxes are supposed to be very effective too (though you have to be sure you buy a good one which gives the drive sufficient heat dissipation).

 

[Deanyo2k7]

Thank you everyone for your help! Ill purchase it and see how things go.