Seagate Hard Drives

[MasterFlash]

Ok, who's the 1337 Seagate expert? What the heck is the difference between the Barracuda V models and the 7200.7 models. I looked at the spec sheets, and they don't look much different except that the V has a ave. seek time of 9.4 sec and the 7200.7 is 8.5. The max internal transfer rate is rated higher on the 7200.7, being 683 vs 570. Looks like the 7200.7 is a little higher density, and can get away with fewer platters, too. Doesn't seem like enough of a difference to go sporting a new model line... Anyone?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

The V supports Seagate's AAM feature - the 7200.7s (officially) don't. IBM/Hitachi Feature Tool can set it on some PATA drives.

- M4H

 

[MasterFlash]

Thanks for the reply. So, the 7200.7 runs faster, but the V's run quieter... The acoustic specs look the same, though, both listing essentially the same Idle, Quiet, and Performance seek decibels.

 

[Swanny]

I believe the 7200.7 is the newer and faster version. I'd opt for that one.

 

[Ionizer86]

I don't think 7200.7's have SeaShields. The Cuda 5 may.

 

[afzan]

Baracuda V - AAM, seashield, slightly quieter idle, slightly faster seeks (despite what the specs say)
7200.7 - no AAM AT ALL (officially and not officially - it does not work), no seashield, faster transfers

 

[MasterFlash]

Linky lumps them together. Both have SeaShield. Here is the link to their product data sheets 2nd Linky

 

[afzan]

hey, you asked for the seagate expert..

the seagate website is wrong..

 

[Auric]

I echo what afzan wrote (except not sure about real versus claimed seek speeds). All user accounts I have heard contend the 7200.7 lacks SeaShield. In addition, I believe the V has 60GB platters while the 7200.7 sports a higher density 80GB and is thus the reason it is peppier.

 

[MasterFlash]

Ok, thanks for all the input. I'm gonna put Seagate to the test now, and see what their tech support comes up with for an answer. I'll post their reply, if they reply...

 

[afzan]

read the 7200.7 review at www.storagereview.com it confirms the missing seashield and slower seeks

 

[jb60606]

we use the V's at my office, I use the 7200.7 in my webservers raid array at home. Have found virtually no difference and, while I haven't exactly taken DB(a) tests, the 7200.7 seemed quieter even though I removed the shell from my server case.

 

[bozo1]

We use 7200.7's in the machines we build at work - we've had a couple a hundred go through the office in the past 2-3 months - no Seashield. - at least for the 40GB and 80GB drives.

 

[Utterman]

Are they still so quiet that it is hard to hear them unless you put your ear against the hard drive?

 

[bozo1]

I don't recall ever hearing them but we usually have 4-5 machines up on the bench at a time - a good bit of background noise.

 

[MasterFlash]

Ok, here's the scoop I got from Seagate Tech.
_______________________________________________________________
The 7200.7 is the newer generation of drives we make. It like you state has higher density platters, faster transfer rates, and lower seek times. In addition the 7200.7 in the 80, 120, and 160 Gb versions can be purchased with an extended cache and warranty. They are listed as the 7200.7+. This is our position on AAM.

Seagate has decided that we will no longer support AAM. Our drives are extremely quiet while operating at the highest performance levels, so we believe the ability to switch between modes is unnecessary.

We are also involved in patent litigation with Convolve and MIT. Although we believe the lawsuit is without merit, Convolve alleges that one of its patents, US Patent No. 6,314,473, covers AAM technology. We understand that Convolve told the T-13 standards committee that it would license its patents on a reasonable, non-discriminatory basis.
Seagate Technical Support

========== Customer's original message ==========
Nowhere on your website was I able to get a clear answer on what the difference is between the Barracuda ATA V models and the 7200.7 models. What is the diffence? The datasheets indicate that the 7200.7's have a faster transfer rate, lower seek time, and higher density requiring fewer platters. Also, which of the two support AAM acoustic management? I am trying to decide between an ST380011A and a ST380023A. Thank you for your help.