WD Black significantly faster than blue?

[Chernabog]

Hey everyone,
I am running out of space, so I need a new Hard Drive. I don't have much stuff so I think 1TB would be okay. However, I read around (hearsay) that a WD black 2TB is considerably better than a 1TB blue. is it true?
Is it worth the extra cost?
I would run a local server on it, as well as use it as scratch disk for Photoshop, so I kind of need it to be pretty fast

 

[JQB45]

Well the black is somewhat faster, but more importantly it comes with a longer warranty.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hi Chernabog.

If you do need high performance and you've already decided to go with a WD drive, the WD Black model should do the job. You can check all the WD Blue and Black drive models' spec sheets here:
WD Blue spec sheet PDF
WD Black spec sheet PDF.

However, the WD Black drives performance advantage is not something you'd necessarily see as a huge advantage in the spec-sheet. It has additional features compared to the WD Blue, e.g. it has a dual-processor and StableTrack technology (for 2TB and larger models) and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty compared to the WD Blue drive's 2-year limited warranty.

You can take a closer look here WD Black

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[Flyfisherman]

WD Black Caviar 2TB is very fast and I have one myself since 4 Years.
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=100/

Increased Reliability: WD Black drives are equipped with StableTrac Technology (2 TB and larger models). This secures the motor shaft inside the hard drive to increase reliability and help reduce impact due to system-induced vibrations from other components. By stabilizing the platters inside, WD Black drives result in more accurate tracking in a particular sector during read and write operations, optimizing performance and reliability.

* Blue: standard desktop drives 7200rpm - 2 year warranty
* Green: Mass storage drives 5400rpm -- slower but more energy efficient, cheaper per GB. Don't use for your OS and apps but fine for music/movies/etc. - 3 year warranty
* Black: Faster, more cache, 7200 rpm great compromise if you can't afford an SSD. - 5 year warranty
* Red: Like Green, but more reliable and designed for small enclosures and RAID setups. - 3 year warranty
* VelociRaptor - very fast (and expensive) 10 000rpm -5-year warranty
https://support.wdc.com/warranty/warrantypolicy.aspx

Best regards from Sweden
Ps. Take a look at my profile, then You will see what I'm using. Ds.

 

[Chernabog]

Thanks everyone!
Wow I didn't even know any disk faster than 7200rpm existed, though I guess the black would do in my case. I also need it to be stable because of the server, so if data transfer is better on the black I will just go for it!

Last thing: I was it at 130 euros on amazon, is a seagate or something else any better for the same price?

Thanks!

 

[JQB45]

I don't like Seagate - I'm not even sure why. But HGST (now owned by WD) has been credited with creating reliable drives too.

 

[Flyfisherman]

Skip Seagate. It Will not even come close to any WD BlackCaviar 2 TB and its warranty- any Seagate will be a worse buy.
Best regards from Sweden

 

[Chernabog]

Thanks for the hints! I will go for the Caviar Black then

 

[Diego Liporace]

1tb blue $50, 2tb black $120. the blacks have higher capacities (up to 6tb vs 1tb max blue) and longer warranty (2 vs 5 years). if 1tb is enough for you, the 1tb blue is what you need.