Hi, guys. I'm building a PC and I need some advice about hard drives (primary). My two top choices are:Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 16MB Cache 3.5" HDD (WD5000AAKX)Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.D 500GB 32MB Cache 3.5" HDDI know both are compatible with my hardware (motherboard: ASUS M5A97 AMD 970), and both are the same except for cache size and price (WD is $20 cheaper), so my main concerns are:- Does the cache/buffer make much of a difference? - Which brand is more reliable? Most forums say that 32mb isn't much faster than 16mb, except if I write to the disk a lot? I'm just a regular user--I just surf, play some games, use Office, Flash and Photoshop. How much of a difference would 32mb make? I don't mind paying extra for more speed, but only if it's a significant improvement. Then there are mixed reviews on which brand is better. Some say WD lasts forever, some say they have only average performance. Some say Hitachi is superior in design, some call the Deskstar the 'Deathstar' >_

Hitachi Deskstar VS. Western Digital Caviar Blue?

May 2021 1 18 Report

Hitachi Deskstar VS. Western Digital Caviar Blue?

Hi, guys. I'm building a PC and I need some advice about hard drives (primary). My two top choices are:

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 16MB Cache 3.5" HDD (WD5000AAKX)

Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.D 500GB 32MB Cache 3.5" HDD

I know both are compatible with my hardware (motherboard: ASUS M5A97 AMD 970), and both are the same except for cache size and price (WD is $20 cheaper), so my main concerns are:

- Does the cache/buffer make much of a difference?

- Which brand is more reliable?

Most forums say that 32mb isn't much faster than 16mb, except if I write to the disk a lot? I'm just a regular user--I just surf, play some games, use Office, Flash and Photoshop. How much of a difference would 32mb make? I don't mind paying extra for more speed, but only if it's a significant improvement.

Then there are mixed reviews on which brand is better. Some say WD lasts forever, some say they have only average performance. Some say Hitachi is superior in design, some call the Deskstar the 'Deathstar' >_<!

Speed is important, but reliability is what I'm after--I'm a bit poorish and can't afford a replacement.

So which is the better choice, considering speed and reliability?

Advice? Explanations? Your personal experiences?

Prompt answers would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Computers & Internet / Hardware / Other - Hardware

Answers & Comments

DocChomps

Verified answer

Western Digital has been the best drive by far in my years of experience both as a business and as I IT professional. Hitachi is also a good drive however if you want to do diagnostic on the drive then you have a few hurdles to cross. Western Digital on the other hand has their data lifeguard tools which is very self explanatory and useful. You can look at the smart status of the drive and if you have more than 3 items with a 1` then you know something is going wrong with the drive. They have always had a no quibble warranty replacement policy that I love. Sidenote--Western Digital has sold their 3.5 Hard Drive Division to Toshiba so they can focus on the newer 2.5 inch drives... I would go with WEstern digital.. Every system I have built has had Western Digital drives in the,. All of my current systems--6 of them with 4 drives each are all western digital.