HDD: 320 2-plate vs 250 1-plate reliability

[Foxtrot]

I was going to buy a 320G drive and have learned that these are 2-plate (or whatever the name, you get the meaning), while 250G are 1-plate and therefore supposed to be more fail-proof. If so, I'm gonna get 250G drive, is that true?

Also, which are more reliable: Seagate or Samsung?

[setscrew]

Actually, you are referring to the discs or platters that form the basis of the storage system. The latest increase in disc density has resulted in a single platter that can store 320GB.

With fewer spinning discs, noise, heat and vibration all typically decrease. If the aforementioned reductions will produce an increase in reliability remains to been seen over a period of time. There is no "fail-proof" computer component.

What are you looking for (performance, low noise, low heat)?

Low noise, low heat, single disc:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint S HD250HJ http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... e=10007767

Low noise, low heat (may be a single or double disc depending on version sent; 00B3A0 denotes single platter):
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136074

High performance, lower noise than comparable, cooler than comparable drives, two discs:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136218

[Foxtrot]

I am looking for reliability, that is, the brand that fails less statistically. Also for the same reason I think I will choose 1-platter drive after all, and probably Barracuda for their 5 year warranty.

[stereo55]

Well I can kinda vogue for the SEAGATE 250gb ST3250410AS (slim perp drives) . I purchased a few of these apon thier release back in Sept '07 . So far not a single problem with any of them , with the performance/cooling/noise: dead silent ,all being excellant ! . Ive been so happy with the ST3250410AS drive(s) Iam going to buy a few more in a few days to do some Raid0 .

Funny though , that the 320gig version of this drive does not seem to be as reliable from many reviews/posts . Not sure why the the 320gig would not be as reliable as the 250gig brother , but I'd recommend avoiding it for the time being (maybe a bad batch) .

[Foxtrot]

Well the reason may be exactly the one I mentioned in my question, anyway I think I'm going for 250G.