The Sorcerer
oh wow...Xenforo!!!
This is the second 750GB Notebook drive review I am going put up, this one is from Western Digital.
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUn_VREZTI/AAAAAAAAAF4/YAYhVvPdm3w/s640/SC750bxsht2.jpg
Black series from Western Digital, as always pitched as a High Performance drives.
Would you like to have one-or do you even need one? Here's what's up!
Pictures, Specs and First Impressions:
*lh5.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoc6HMw9I/AAAAAAAAAGE/X3fH-gaj9u0/s200/SC750rear.jpg*lh6.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoQynRd4I/AAAAAAAAAGA/bjTqx7-euwI/s200/SC750frnt.jpg
The drive comes in an Anti-Static bag: the usual.
Opening up the drive and here's what the internals are:
*lh6.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoLUBzgcI/AAAAAAAAAF8/NuABqLCXQSo/s288/SC750disassembly.jpg
The Controller is Marvell 88i9045-tfj2 controller, the same one viz. used in Westen Digital 600GB SATA 6Gb/s Velociraptor I've reviewed couple of weeks ago. The 128Mbit 16MB Cache is a Winbond W9425G6 JH-5 SD Memory and the motor controller is a Texas Instrument SH6601AF controller. A foam sheet is sandwiched between the drive and the PCB.
*lh4.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpPO-KRAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/by6_I4j5Epg/s640/750bpktcdi.JPG
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpQ50O2KI/AAAAAAAAAGY/BMsWVScWRyA/s1600/750bpktspecs.JPG
Test Setup and Benchmarks
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpRTtEFnI/AAAAAAAAAGc/TEKtwd1b3Bg/s1600/test.JPG
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUps8eaj8I/AAAAAAAAAGg/68IUJf3rVdM/s640/SC750Asssdcompbc.JPG
Boot Load Time
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=54&zx=bcn7yabcgz80
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AS SSD Benchmark: Read test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=55&zx=a7n0mayy5a0j
AS SSD Benchmark: Write test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=56&zx=wgqipdmhlvkz
AS SSD Copy Benchmark (Speed)
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=61&zx=d4eftonyh4i1
AS SSD Copy Benchmark (Duration)
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=62&zx=f1mfq6rfsq0
This is what I like about Scorpio Black drive and I used this drive for a while. The drive is quick on its feet when it loads up programs compared to the Seagate Momentus Drive I reviewed earlier. The Overall performance is good.
AS SSD Compression Benchmark
*img517.imageshack.us/img517/3192/momentus750gbcompbc.jpg
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ATTO Write Benchmark
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=63&zx=b4ovlz2zwfx9
ATTO Read Benchmark
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=64&zx=bd0nyjcqgrmp
CrystalDisk Mark Benchmark: Write Test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=58&zx=aaumjqa2r3f
CrystalDisk Mark Benchmark: Read Test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=57&zx=onmwva80xff2
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HD Tune Pro
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=59&zx=ftxkqbajru2m
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=60&zx=h9icrrc15ee3
Random Access
*img717.imageshack.us/img717/2940/sc750hdtuneranreadacc.th.jpg*img97.imageshack.us/img97/5550/sc750hdtuneranwriteacc.th.jpg
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AIDA 64 Benchmark: Read
*img163.imageshack.us/img163/8512/sc750linearread.th.jpg*img232.imageshack.us/img232/6627/sc750avgreadacc.th.jpg*img18.imageshack.us/img18/2792/sc750ranread.th.jpg
AIDA 64 Benchmark: Write
*img822.imageshack.us/img822/9140/sc750linearwrite.th.jpg*img130.imageshack.us/img130/723/sc750avgwracc.th.jpg*img15.imageshack.us/img15/526/sc750ranwrite.th.jpg
Conclusion
5 year warranty? Thank you Thank you Thank you! Just as an opinion, all internal drives should stick to 5 years warranty, irrespective of the newer versions/models coming out from any manufacturers.
Here comes the magic question. Cost. This hasn't been released yet in India but I should be getting the price update pretty soon.
Its not yet available in India. I was being told that this should be available after a week or 2.
Remember, unlike the Momentus there's no automatic 4K Alignment on this drive. You wouldn't need it unless you're getting the OS image on this drive. So if you're getting the OS image on this drive, you will need to use one of the following:
WD Align Windows: Powered by Acronis
Windows 32 bit OS: WD Align System Utility - Powered by Paragon
Windows 64 bit OS: WD Align System Utility - Powered by Paragon
Acronis True Image WD Edition Software
Its more of a minor inconvinience rather than a con. Besides, newer versions of imaging software of 4k aware.
Windows XP uses 512Byte alignment and if you're going to use it on this drive, there will be a performance drop. Certain drives (usually the 3.5inch Drives)have pins where you can insert a Jumper and you go about and install the Image backup to use 4K alignment properly. In such notebook drives, you have to use image softwares like the newer Acronis that does the alignment for you. Chances of a person using a notebook with XP and going for upgrade is small, but its there nevertheless.
But if you're using a fresh install with Vista SP1 onwards on this drive, you don't need to do worry about it.
If you the U.S. and the U.K. price, its nicely priced. The U.S. price difference us $101.99 and $112.99. Make sense to pay the extra, especially for a 5 year warranty period and the performance difference. Its not everyday you get to change your hard drive. CPU consumption is also slow so that's another plus point. Faster drive with faster boot load and program load-up is always appreciated provided the price is justified. I seriously doubt many notebook manufacturers would bundle this on most ultra high end notebook/desktop replacement units, but this makes a good upgrade especially for mid end notebooks. 7500BPKT gets my vote unless Seagate decides to drop a significant price tag. Still, I've asked if I could get a Western Digital Scorpio Blue 750gigs to match it with Seagate Momentus to see where they both stand against each other.
Most of the notebooks let you use 1 HDD internally, so if you're going to spend so much on a 750gig drive, you would take this drive a look. However, the true comparison would be Scorpio Blue and the Momentus drive, despite Black Scorpio and Momentus had few head-to-head moments.
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUn_VREZTI/AAAAAAAAAF4/YAYhVvPdm3w/s640/SC750bxsht2.jpg
Black series from Western Digital, as always pitched as a High Performance drives.
Would you like to have one-or do you even need one? Here's what's up!
Pictures, Specs and First Impressions:
*lh5.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoc6HMw9I/AAAAAAAAAGE/X3fH-gaj9u0/s200/SC750rear.jpg*lh6.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoQynRd4I/AAAAAAAAAGA/bjTqx7-euwI/s200/SC750frnt.jpg
The drive comes in an Anti-Static bag: the usual.
Opening up the drive and here's what the internals are:
*lh6.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUoLUBzgcI/AAAAAAAAAF8/NuABqLCXQSo/s288/SC750disassembly.jpg
The Controller is Marvell 88i9045-tfj2 controller, the same one viz. used in Westen Digital 600GB SATA 6Gb/s Velociraptor I've reviewed couple of weeks ago. The 128Mbit 16MB Cache is a Winbond W9425G6 JH-5 SD Memory and the motor controller is a Texas Instrument SH6601AF controller. A foam sheet is sandwiched between the drive and the PCB.
*lh4.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpPO-KRAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/by6_I4j5Epg/s640/750bpktcdi.JPG
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpQ50O2KI/AAAAAAAAAGY/BMsWVScWRyA/s1600/750bpktspecs.JPG
Test Setup and Benchmarks
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUpRTtEFnI/AAAAAAAAAGc/TEKtwd1b3Bg/s1600/test.JPG
*lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iQYH1XCyQy8/TWUps8eaj8I/AAAAAAAAAGg/68IUJf3rVdM/s640/SC750Asssdcompbc.JPG
Boot Load Time
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=54&zx=bcn7yabcgz80
-----
AS SSD Benchmark: Read test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=55&zx=a7n0mayy5a0j
AS SSD Benchmark: Write test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=56&zx=wgqipdmhlvkz
AS SSD Copy Benchmark (Speed)
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=61&zx=d4eftonyh4i1
AS SSD Copy Benchmark (Duration)
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=62&zx=f1mfq6rfsq0
This is what I like about Scorpio Black drive and I used this drive for a while. The drive is quick on its feet when it loads up programs compared to the Seagate Momentus Drive I reviewed earlier. The Overall performance is good.
AS SSD Compression Benchmark
*img517.imageshack.us/img517/3192/momentus750gbcompbc.jpg
-----
ATTO Write Benchmark
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=63&zx=b4ovlz2zwfx9
ATTO Read Benchmark
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=64&zx=bd0nyjcqgrmp
CrystalDisk Mark Benchmark: Write Test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=58&zx=aaumjqa2r3f
CrystalDisk Mark Benchmark: Read Test
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=57&zx=onmwva80xff2
-----
HD Tune Pro
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=59&zx=ftxkqbajru2m
*spreadsheets.google.com/a/hardwarebbq.com/oimg?key=0ApTeq9VLJF0pdGVTeENWV1I1dlV6STNiWkphMTRybmc&oid=60&zx=h9icrrc15ee3
Random Access
*img717.imageshack.us/img717/2940/sc750hdtuneranreadacc.th.jpg*img97.imageshack.us/img97/5550/sc750hdtuneranwriteacc.th.jpg
-----
AIDA 64 Benchmark: Read
*img163.imageshack.us/img163/8512/sc750linearread.th.jpg*img232.imageshack.us/img232/6627/sc750avgreadacc.th.jpg*img18.imageshack.us/img18/2792/sc750ranread.th.jpg
AIDA 64 Benchmark: Write
*img822.imageshack.us/img822/9140/sc750linearwrite.th.jpg*img130.imageshack.us/img130/723/sc750avgwracc.th.jpg*img15.imageshack.us/img15/526/sc750ranwrite.th.jpg
Conclusion
5 year warranty? Thank you Thank you Thank you! Just as an opinion, all internal drives should stick to 5 years warranty, irrespective of the newer versions/models coming out from any manufacturers.
Here comes the magic question. Cost. This hasn't been released yet in India but I should be getting the price update pretty soon.
Its not yet available in India. I was being told that this should be available after a week or 2.
Remember, unlike the Momentus there's no automatic 4K Alignment on this drive. You wouldn't need it unless you're getting the OS image on this drive. So if you're getting the OS image on this drive, you will need to use one of the following:
WD Align Windows: Powered by Acronis
Windows 32 bit OS: WD Align System Utility - Powered by Paragon
Windows 64 bit OS: WD Align System Utility - Powered by Paragon
Acronis True Image WD Edition Software
Its more of a minor inconvinience rather than a con. Besides, newer versions of imaging software of 4k aware.
Windows XP uses 512Byte alignment and if you're going to use it on this drive, there will be a performance drop. Certain drives (usually the 3.5inch Drives)have pins where you can insert a Jumper and you go about and install the Image backup to use 4K alignment properly. In such notebook drives, you have to use image softwares like the newer Acronis that does the alignment for you. Chances of a person using a notebook with XP and going for upgrade is small, but its there nevertheless.
But if you're using a fresh install with Vista SP1 onwards on this drive, you don't need to do worry about it.
If you the U.S. and the U.K. price, its nicely priced. The U.S. price difference us $101.99 and $112.99. Make sense to pay the extra, especially for a 5 year warranty period and the performance difference. Its not everyday you get to change your hard drive. CPU consumption is also slow so that's another plus point. Faster drive with faster boot load and program load-up is always appreciated provided the price is justified. I seriously doubt many notebook manufacturers would bundle this on most ultra high end notebook/desktop replacement units, but this makes a good upgrade especially for mid end notebooks. 7500BPKT gets my vote unless Seagate decides to drop a significant price tag. Still, I've asked if I could get a Western Digital Scorpio Blue 750gigs to match it with Seagate Momentus to see where they both stand against each other.
Most of the notebooks let you use 1 HDD internally, so if you're going to spend so much on a 750gig drive, you would take this drive a look. However, the true comparison would be Scorpio Blue and the Momentus drive, despite Black Scorpio and Momentus had few head-to-head moments.
