Comparison WD Green WD20EZRX 2 TB vs Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST2000DM001 2 TB

For drives used in a PC (see "Intended use"), 5400 rpm(normal) and 7200 rpm(high) are considered standard speeds. There are also more specific options, including models with the ability to adjust the speed depending on the load. In server HDDs, in turn, higher speeds can be used — 10,000 rpm and even 15,000 rpm.

The number of platters provided in the design of the hard drive.

Physically, a hard disk consists of one or more platters, on which information is recorded. Several plates can be provided in order to achieve the desired volume without increasing the form factor. At the same time, it is also necessary to install an appropriate number of reading heads in such a drive, which complicates the design, reduces its reliability, and increases the cost. Therefore, manufacturers choose the number of plates based on a reasonable compromise between these points, and for selection, this parameter is more of a reference than practically significant.

The time it takes for the hard disk mechanics to find random requested data to read. For each specific case, the search time is different, as it depends on the location of the data on the surface of the disk and the position of the read head, therefore, the average value is indicated in the characteristics of hard drives. The lower the average seek time, the faster the disk works, all other things being equal.

The amount of power consumed by the disk when reading and writing information. In fact, this is the peak power consumption, it is in these modes that the drive consumes the most energy.

HDD power consumption data is needed primarily to calculate the overall system power consumption and power supply requirements for the system. In addition, for laptops that are planned to be used often "in isolation from outlets", it is advisable to choose more economical drives.

A parameter that determines the resistance of the hard drive to drops and shocks during operation (that is, in the on state). Shock resistance is measured in G — units of overload, 1 G corresponds to the usual force of gravity. The higher the G number, the more resistant the disc is to various kinds of concussions and the less likely it is to be damaged, say, in the event of a fall. This setting is especially important for external drives and drives used in laptops.

The level of noise produced by the disk when reading and/or writing information. The source of sound in this case is the moving plates of the disk, as well as the mechanics that control the reading heads. The lower the noise level, the more comfortable the use of the device. The maximum noise produced by modern hard drives during operation is about 50 dB — this is comparable to the sound background in an average office.

The amount of noise produced by a disk "idle", when no read and/or write operations are performed. The sound source in this case is the plates — they rotate all the time while the disk is on; since no other mechanics are involved, idle noise is generally lower than read/write noise. The lower the noise level, the more comfortable the use of the device. The maximum noise level of modern hard drives in standby mode is about 40 dB — this is comparable to quiet human speech.

Guaranteed (minimum) number of hard drive on-off cycles after which it will remain operational. The higher this number, the more reliable the drive.

— Wi-Fi module. The hard drive has its own Wi-Fi module. The Wi-Fi standard was originally created for building wireless computer networks, but can also be used for direct connection to various devices. Disks with this function can be used as network drives — data storages that can be accessed by every network user. They are also useful for smartphones and tablets: the built-in memory of such devices rarely exceeds a couple of tens of gigabytes, and external storage can come in handy. Many Wi-Fi drives are initially optimized for use with portable electronics (and some are even designed for specific popular models), but anyway, you should make sure that the drive and gadget are compatible in advance.

— Shock-resistant body. A housing that protects the hardware of the hard drive from shock and shock. It is undesirable to specifically drop such media, but anyway, they endure falls better than unprotected counterparts. The specific degree of impact protection should be specified separately; the traditional indicator is resistance to falls from a height of 1 – 1.5 m.

— Data encryption. Ensures the security of storing information on the disk: access to encrypted information can only be obtained by someone who knows the password. The encryption module is an integral part of the drive and does not depend on the computer to which it is connected. The ability to encrypt data is critical if you pl...an to write confidential information to discs; this feature is especially useful for portable drives and laptop drives, which are more at risk of theft than fixed systems and their components.

— Built-in USB connector. USB plug provided in the design of the drive itself. Thus, no additional cables, adapters, etc. are required to connect such a disk to the computer's USB port.

— Backup button. A separate button for starting the file backup procedure, located on the case of an external hard drive. When pressed, the important information for the user contained on the disc is automatically copied to a predefined folder. It is worth considering that the backup settings must be manually configured beforehand.

— Energy saving mode. Drives with power save mode, other things being equal, consume less electricity than conventional drives — both during operation and in standby mode. They usually have a low rotational speed (see Spindle speed (rpm)). Reduced power consumption is especially important for laptop drives, as it allows longer battery life.