need help choose a HDD
 

I'm planning on getting a new 3.5" HDD
so far, I really like the Samsung Spinpoint F1, because that's what I'm using,
and it's more quiter and about 10'C cooler than my Seagate counterpart.

But finding Samsung HDs on sale is a bit tough. NCIX and Anitec doesn't put
them up on sale often. So I don't mind looking for an alternative.

My two requirements are that the HDDs aren't very loud, and don't generate a lot of heat. Read/Write/Transfer speeds aren't really an issue I care about.

I did some research on my own, and found some benchmarks.

Drive Surface Temperature
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...ture,1015.html

Sound Level
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...evel,1032.html


Problem is... I don't understand what these numbers mean.
Is higher the number, the better? Or lower the number the better?
For example, for Sound Level, I see in the dBA chart, the WD Raptor has
"59.85" Is that a score of 59.85 (whtaver that means)? Or is that the actual
dBA = 59.85... (cause that would be really loud).

The HD chart says "score (in dBA)"

I doubt that HD is available anymore, the 300GB one came out over a year ago. The Velociraptor is a lot quieter. Its actual a 2.5" HD.

does the WD green series appeal to you?

+1
and they go on sale often @ NCIX

PS: To read the charts you posted.
Sound - It's measured in dBA, so the lower the number the quieter it is
Surface temp - measured in Degrees, so the lower the cooler

get the WD greens