Western Digital Scorpio Black 320GB 7200 rpm - WD3200BEKT

I just installed this drive as a replacement for the oem WD Scorpio Blue 120GB (WD1200BEV) on my Thinkpad T61. At 7,200 RPM, the Scorpio Black 320GB (WD3200BEKT) is twice as fast but somewhat noisy. While idling it makes the same level of noise as the exhaust fan and when seeking it makes a strong shuffling sound.

I am upset with the WD's dishonesty! I was open to buying a replacement WD drive because I had been impressed by the silence of the oem drive. On the WD website, specifications for that drive show acoustics of 24-26 dBA, so I expected the new drive to be even quieter when the website touted specifications of 22-25 dBA. Not the case at all and now I am out the 15% restocking fee to return this junk!

 

might be a faulty drive if it's so loud, which might entitle you to a warranty replacement.

 

Does sound like a faulty drive, i bought the WD3200BJKT, same as your new drive but has shock detection.
My drive is as silent as a mouse...

 

Well, before you whine, think of why it may sound so much? Like the most obvious thing May it be because of a faulty drive maybe?
I've heard some drives needs a little burn-in time, so it'll settle itself and run quieter also.



EDIT: Because my WD3200BEKT is quiet. At first when i had the drive, it made noises when seeking (the first week), but it's been getting more and more quiet, now i can't hear it anymore, only the system-fan, and no, it's not because i'm getting used to it

 

I have 2 of these drives in my notebook, they do make noise, but nothing outrageous. I'm very happy with these, the speed is phenomenal over my OEMs.

Maybe as Whizzo said, could be a faulty drive, but we could have different definitions of noise/loud, for the speed the noise doesn't bother me, but again.. mine don't seem loud.

 

Mine is quiet. I hear the fan idling over the HDD. Might be a faulty drive.

 

Mine is quiet to, I think your is faulty...
I have the same one WD Scorpio Black 320GB...

 

My two are also quiet, no complaints here.

 

Mine is noisy, it makes the whirring fan sound which is to be expected not sure if this is normal though my stock WD drive was dead silent.

 

I've bought the 160GB version for my Samsung NC10 netbook. Will update with benchmark results in a couple of days.

 

Its normal. Mine makes the same noise. It sounds like my laptop fan on medium.

 

This version is noisy and klicking but if you buy BJKT it will be fine ...

 

It sounds unlikely to me that all models w/o FFS are noisy and models with FFS are quiet. I will receive my WD1600BEKt soon so I can test it.

 

to be precise there will be still some wind noise, because there is rotating plate
but that head noise is annoying
w/o FFS --> noisy klicking head
with FFS --> no any clicking
you will see ..
have a this after:
http://rapidshare.com/files/148837447/7200.3_HDD_UNCKLICKER.zip.html

 

And where can you find that? It's not at Amazon or Newegg?

 

I am using this drive now after my OEM BEVT died and I was out of warranty.
A bit noisy in an extremely quiet environment but it is fast I have to admit.
No clicking sounds or issue with this drive plus it comes with a 5 year warranty.

 

I am also using the WD3200BEKT and have no complaints coming from a Seagate 250GB Momentus 5400.4
I can see the that the WD3200BJKT is sold in some stores in Australia but neither one is popular enough here to really push prices to anywhere near the competitiveness of 5400s here.

 

I found and ordered it on ebay. And you're right, it wasn't cheap. I wanted to get two, but felt I'd better check one out first just to make sure it was as good in my machine as all the claims. I just hope it performs as well as you all have said. Otherwise, I will put cures on all of you.