Samsung HM640JJ 640GB 7200rpm 2.5" Hard Drive (9.5 mm standard height)

Seems like an interesting hard drive. Reviews on Newegg are very good sofar (13 reviews, all 5 star).

HDtune looks very impressive.


Does anyone have one?

 

The 130GB (real) extra capacity over an 500GB XT is not reason enough for me to consider this drive - performance will still be favouring (greatly) the Seagate hybrid.

This would make a great 2nd HD though for systems with two drive bays where capacity and performance matters equally.

 

That's exactly what I'm using it for, a data drive. Seeing as the horsepower of the XT would be wasted as a secondary storage drive, this was a nobrainer for me.

Perfectly happy with it so far.

 

Had one, but I returned it due to noise issues. I don't think it was particularly noisy as compared to other drives, but now that I've gone SSD, I just can't do platter drives any more. As for the performance, it seemed like a 5400RPM drive as I recall, but it's been a few months since I had it.

 

With a max read of 115.6 MB/sec and 15.6ms access times I would expect it to be a fast drive. Would love to see some real world benchmarks or a PC Mark Vantage score.

 

The numbers stack up pretty well. It'd be nice to see a proper review, but it looks rather promising. Always had a soft spot for Samsung.

I couldn't see any EU suppliers when I looked just now.

 

Looking at Passmarks HDD benchmark charts both SAMSUNG HM640JJ as well as recently introduced SAMSUNG HM320HJ kick 500 GB Momentus XT (ST95005620AS) in the Arsche.

PassMark Software - Hard Drive Benchmark Charts

I've decided to go for HM640JJ, the only problem is the retail availability you can buy them either in the US (newegg) or in Poland at the moment.

 

nouze,

No, actually they don't.

That site also suggests that the Hitachi 7K500 is also faster than the XT - but real world use shows otherwise.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

The problem with Passmark is that they allow user submitted results. As a result there are many errors in this list.

The second problem is that it's a synthetic benchmark that doesn't accurately reflect real world usage.

The third problem is that the cache of the Seagate XT can not be accurately measured by a synthetic benchmarks.

Overall the HM640JJ will perform very similar to a Seagate XT, except for when the files are cached, then the XT blows away the Samsung.

 

Passmark data does reflect the real life tho. Comparing the HDTune benchmarks the only thing the momentus XT is really better at is the access time, which is so good only because of the 4GB SSD/cache, which still needs to read from an actual hdd (500gb vs 4gb) which is slower than HM640JJ. At the moment Samsung is 40 % cheaper with a bigger capacity so it's a no brainer really.

 

No it doesn't.

 

Passmark is as synthetic as a benchmark can be, just like HDTune.

If you really want to rely on synthetic benchmarks (which I wouldn't suggest), try to find the PC Mark Vantage scores.

But don't let synthetic benchmarks fool you, the Seagate XT will launch applications and boot Windows much much faster than the Samsung HM640JJ. Check the review in my signature. The Samsung HM640JJ will perform very similar to a WD5000bekt.

 

I don't think it will, per HD Tune WD is more than 10MB/s slower (average speeds) than Sammy. Funnily enough average XT speeds are also about as slow.

4GB of fast cache helps, no doubt. It's not as clear cut as it might seem at the first glance though. No matter how much you want it to be as fast as lightning it will hit the bottleneck sooner or later. Not saying that AM is as bad, the idea behind it is the same as Vista's prefetch though so there are no miracles. Not forgetting that it's 40% more expensive than the Samsung which I'm sure is fast enough to make the momentus XT speed irrelevant. Also, majority of HM640JJ production goes to laptop manufacturers (hence it's so difficult to buy them) and because of that there are no tests showing how good this drive is.

YouTube - Laptop HDD : 5400 vs 7200 RPM Performance Test

 

If you think the Samsung HM640JJ is as fast as Seagate XT you're making a big mistake.

I saw that Youtube video. I found the real world performance of the HM640JJ not that impressive compared with the stock drive.

 

Phil, I was trying to find a way to say it nicely - you beat me to it.

nouze, the current 'pecking' order is:

SSD
.
.
Hybrid (XT) HD
.
.
.
.
.
Mechanical 2.5" HD 7200 RPM


To put some perspective to how much better the XT is when the nand is fully populated: it beats the 10,000 RPM 4xRaptor based desktops I have (on certain 'tests').

 

And knowing previous Samsung 7200rpm drives, I doubt this one will be any faster -real life- than the WD5000bekt. The fact that it's synthetic performance looks better says very little.

We need real world benchmarks.

In the absence of those, I asked Forge to post some CDM and HDtune Random Access benchmarks.

 

one thing you forget to mention, how reliable the XT really is? just finished reading a list of issues which ppl have with them and if I was to factor that in the order would look like this

SSD
.
.
HM640JJ
.
.
.
.
.
Mechanical 2.5" HD 7200 RPM
.
.
.
.
Russian roulette
.
.
.
.
Hybrid (XT) HD

 

Ha ah ha... you have SSD's on the wrong end then...

 

No, overall SSDs are the most reliable. If you're only talking about a few recent MLC drives, then it gets a little murky though...

 

Well it's cheaper than the XT and hopefully on sale it'll be around 70-80 bucks. Not bad at all. My cheap self is still using a $55 500gig/7200rpm drive.

 

By sheer numbers mechanical HD's are much more reliable than SSD's.

Even percentage-wise, SSD's reliabilty statistics are not encouraging (what - they're all of 1 or 2 years old - 3 at the most?).

Do you have any links to support your claim?

 

Enterprises have been using SSDs for at least 2 decades easily. As I said, if we're talking about MLC drives, then yes, there isn't much data as they've only been offered in the consumer market for around 3 years now. So while it's fairly new, just remember, the subset of the population here that complains about faulty SSDs is a very small minority.

But I guess the biggest thing we should clarify is how you define reliability. In my definition, reliability means the ability to function at a consistent level under stress. SSD technology in itself is superior to HDD in many ways due to its nature - no moving parts means no risk of mechanical failure, no noise, no fragmentation effects to slow it down over time, and better physical endurance to shock, high altitude, vibration, and temperature. While it isn't perfect and does have some disadvantages, I would definitely use it if I had to go back into engineering field work. Anyways, OT...

 

As per request, I did some tests.

First, I did a stop-watch-timed file copy test. (1.09GB ISO, 10.7MB .flv video, 54.7MB .mp4 video, 10.2MB .exe, 10.1MB .exe, 5kb .rar, and a 67kb .rar)
23.86 seconds. If you want me to run some standardized files or whatever--and not the random files I had lying around, haha--let me know.

CDM and HD Tune Random Access tests are below. Drivers are IRST 10.0.0.1046.

The HM640JJ in my laptop is used as a storage/game drive; there is no OS on it. I don't know how that skews results.

 

Thanks Forge. Here's a WD3200BEKT for comparison. The Samsung beats the WD3200BEKT in larger files, while the WD3200BEKT is faster with smaller files.

The Samsung HM640JJ seems faster than the Hitachi 7K500.

Does anyone have the WD5000BEKT Random Access benchmark in HDTune?

Another test that would be very interesting is the AS-SSD File Copy test. That's a standardized file copy test that we can repeat on other drives.

Here's a result for WD640GB:

 

It does seem though that XT not only inherits the usual issues of hdds and ssds but also introduces new ones - people are complaining about lack of system stability, BSODs, lost data, heat, the lot - which is expected at this stage of technology life cycle to be honest.
It also looks like the caching algorythm/technology works on assumptions which might not necessarly be true if you dualboot. So is it really that great? And is it worth the money? Nope.

Anyway, back to the topic, can't wait for my HM640JJ. Will post some benchmarks once I get it.

 

Here's random access for a 250gb/platter WD3200BEKT:



WD5000BEKT:



7K500:

 

Thanks for those results. Where did you find it's 250GB/platter?

What is the type number for a 250GB per platter WD2500BEKT?

 

Yes, the XT is really that great and well worth the money (if you value performance).

I would like to see you post your AS SSD copy file benchmarks here:

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...le-copy-result-hdds-ssds-easy-comparison.html


Thanking you in advance.

 

I'm sure I will try at least. Especially that from what I can see at the moment and not to my suprise one person has already benched it and it indeed ripped a nice hole in momentus XT's butt - sammy 149 vs XT 142

 

I thought it was a pretty fair assumption that WD switched to 250gb/platter across all the Black drives when the WD5000BEKT was released. Compare the random access in my 320gb drive compared to the first gen 320gb. The strengths and weakness in file size is pretty telling imo.

From what I've seen 160gb/platter 160/250/320gb Blacks are -00xxx. The earliest 250gb/platter unit I've seen is 22xxx. Mine is at 60xxx.

 

I saw that. I was just wondering if you found some confirmation for the type numbers.

Can you post a normal HDTune shot too? Just for confirmation.

 

Except that the Sammy was running as a data drive (vs. a system/boot drive for the XT) and a 7K500 running as a system/boot drive showed it up.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6813173-post54.html

 

I just bought the 320GB version, I'll post results Vs. standard Apple 5400rpm drive.

 

Interesting. Is that the HM320JJ? How's the noise and vibration?

 

I just ordered it today, 3 day UPS shipping. I bought the SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM320HJ: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM320HJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

Hi guys.

Can you confirm or disconfirm Samsung have same "parking heads" problem at WD drives?

Give us some smart picture with load cycles count.


My WD BEVT5000 makes me crazy and Samsung MP4 is next potential drive.

Thank you very much .

 

Here's my benchmark's on the 320GB version: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-mp4-hm320hj-vs-hitachi-5k500-benckmarks.html

 

Seems like after 23 power on hours is 425 load cycle count. Nothing good i guess. Do you hear a "parking heads noise?" (tick tack )

 

As some or more of you are probably aware, Newegg has substantially discounted its price for the Samsung M640JJ hard drive (HD) to $64.99. I just ordered the Western Digital WD5000BEKT HD on 11-7-2010 evening as a replacement for my 2nd notebook PC's failed HD from Newegg on its last day of the discounted $62.99 price. However, the new and undoubtedly temporary Newegg price for the HM640JJ is very enticing and I am trying to decide whether to continue with the WD5000BEKT or return it in favor of the HM640JJ. Obviously the HM640JJ's combination of high capacity and 7200RPM spindle speed, plus its favorable buyer reviews on Newegg and very good performance on the tests cited in this thread comprise a potent HD. Despite the HM640JJ's appeal, I am still drawn to the WD5000BEKT because it is, by a narrow margin, the best-performing notebook HD available (based on professiounal and lay user reviews) with a reputation for reliability, emphasized by its industry-leading 5-year warranty.

Of course, deciding which HD to purchase is a subjective and personal decision, but I'd appreciate reading other opinions of the HM640JJ, both pro and con if possible. Thanks for reading and any responses.

 

Im buying two of them in a couple weeks if the price stays the same

Its actually almost perfectly rated at newegg , which means none have arrived doa, and cheaper than 500 gb drives.

 

Have you found a review that compares both in real world scenario's? I haven't.

The only real world data I do have is the AS-SSD file copy benchmark, where the Samsung HM640JJ beats the WD5000BEKT.

I expect the WD5000BEKT will only be faster during heavy multi tasking but I don't have any data for it.

At those prices I'd go for the Samsung.

 

I found a quick benchmark review here:

TREADLAYERS.COM: MEGA-CAPACITY 2.5" HDDs: WD10TPVT, SAMSUNG HM640LI and HM100UI

The disk has been benchmarked in crystal disk mark 3.0 and atto disk benchmark.

========================

I got this HDD on monday and I am not impressed. I guess it has some mechanical problems.

HD Tune's SMART reports a warning on the calibration retry count attribute - the DATA value is constantly rising - at the moment it is @ 465...

Also there is a warning at UltraDMA CRc error count - the DATa value shows 64 and reallocated sectors count is 10.

The weird thing are the reports of other SMART utilities I tried:

crystal disk info showed problems with reallocated sectors count only but the warning disappeared during the day. Hard disk sentinel, Disk Checkup, Active SMART, Personal SMART Check DID NOT show any problems.


HD Tune shows abnormal spikes during the whole reading benchmark (it shows up even if shortstroked to 160GB). No smooth reading line there, as shown in the very first picture of this thread, I am wondering.

I tried the disk in an external eSATA enclosure, in a notebook (dell xps m1530) and on a desktop. always the same story.

When I tried the writing benchmark there was bettering in terms of smoothness but the speed was nowhere near 100MB/s at the beginning of the platter...

Could this be a firmware thing? My firmware is 2AK10001. Production date 2010.09.

I will try to return the disk and ask for a new one.

 

I think we have proof that HDTune doesn't like the HM660JJ

 

If anyone interested, I found some comparison info on the following HDD's:
Hitachi Travelstar 7K500, Samsung Spinpoint MP4 HM640JJ, Seagate Momentus 750GB, Western Digital Scorpio Black WD5000BEKT

Notebook hard drives square off at 7,200 RPM - The Tech Report - Page 1

 

Aren't these the drives that come standard in the new Dell XPS notebooks? Except they have the 500gb version

 

If you see a "640GB 7200RPM" option then it is indeed the Samsung drive; no other hard drive brand has one.

 

hi there, i have bought hm640jj and put into notebook hp 6710b. i have installed new ms xp sp3 but not in ahci mode (sata native). now i am not able to install neither intel matrix... nor ahci driver due to incompatibility (???) problems.
have done hdtunepro benchmark and here is result:

is this due to non ahci mode? or something else is wrong?
thanks
marian

 

Marian -- those results indicate something else is taking up the disk I/O while HD Tune is running. What kind of antivirus program do you have and what other programs are running in the background?

 

Finally got around to comparing my HM640JJ to my old Seagate 5400rpm 8mb drive that came standard in the E6400. The Samsung is on the left, I cut the partition size down.

 

thanks for reply.
i have avira but same if disabled. i have disabled also tuneup utilities.
also tried hd tune pro in mini windows xp (hirens bootable cd) and same result.
are there any similar utilities under dos? to avoid anything in backround.
maybe hdd is not ok?

edit: i have benchmarked also with sysinternals process monitor turned on (showing only file system activity) and only hd tune pro operations have been logged.