How is the WD RED PLUS 12 TB quieter than the 6 TB versions?
How is the WD RED PLUS 12 TB quieter than the 6 TB versions?
Hello,
I do not understand. The 12 TB and 14 TB are 7200 rpm, the 6 TB is 5400 rpm. Doesn't the noise level depend on the rpm?
According to the WD documentation:
12 TB (WD120EFBX) or 14 TB
Iddle: 20 dB SeeK: 29 dB
6 TB (WD60EFZX)
Iddle: 25 dB SeeK: 30 dB
So far, I didn't want to buy a 2 bay, 2 x 12 TB HDD because I thought it would be noisier than a 4 bay, 4 x 6 TB HDD.
What is the truth?
Helium
There are a lot of factors. Manufacturing process, head, lubrication, insulation, material thickness.
Nobody can give you a specific answer without a forensic teardown. I would say it's probably the casing, refinements in head size, and noise canceling insulation inside the drive.
Drive noise measurement is always a frustrating thing to keep track of. It's much easier to just find a solution to isolate the drive noise completely and not worry about it.
I have a similar experience, but with Seagate's Exos drives. I have several months old pair of Exos x16 16tb and they seem a lot quieter than my older pair of Exos 7E8 8tb drives. I didn't look at any spec sheets though, just a feeling.