Seagate

Barracuda 7200.11, 1 TB: ST31000340AS

The Barracuda 7200.11 series is very variegated. Its disks range in capacity from 160 gigabytes to 1.5 terabytes and are based on 250GB, 333GB and 375GB platters. The only thing we can say confidently about this particular model is that it is based on four platters (as is indicated by the second last digit in the model name).

Most of the models have enterprise counterparts in the ES.2 series, and we benchmarked its ST31000340NS model in our previous test session. Its results are so similar to those of the desktop drive that we don’t want to include it into this test session.

Barracuda 7200.11, 1 TB: ST31000333AS

Higher recording density helps achieve the same capacity using fewer platters. This provides an advantage in speed as well as in manufacturing cost. So, as soon as Seagate had denser platters, it introduced another 1-terabyte model in the 7200.11 series. This model uses three platters and is called ST31000333AS.

SV35.3, 1 TB: ST31000340SV

The ST31000340SV is yet another 1-terabyte drive from Seagate. It comes from the SV35.3 series. Judging by the marking, it is based on the four-platter model of the desktop series.

SV35.3 series drives are intended for installation into video surveillance systems and various household appliances. The manufacturer claims them to be able to work at a case temperature of 75°C and deliver an increased data-transfer rate. Well, we won’t fry the drive up, but watch for its performance very closely.