Western Digital Caviar Green 16 MB 1 TB

Following our test of the Caviar Green 1 TB in the 32 MB cache version (WD10EADS), we're coming back to Western Digital's green range with a test of the 16 MB cache drive (WD10EACS). We're also taking the opportunity to run it through our new test protocol, which we didn't yet have in place when we tested the 32 MB version.

Before getting into the tests, lets do a quick recap: remember, the Western Digital "Green" series is a range of quiet drives that heat up little and consume little but only run at 5400 rpm rather than 7200 rpm (the speed for higher performance drives). The WD10EACS is also limited to 16 MB of cache, against 32 MB for the WD10EADS (see inset).
Both have an SATA 3 Gbps interface (SATA-2 ). The 16 MB version is available in 500 GB, 640 GB, 750 GB and 1 TB. It's a shame that no 2 TB version exists. For that you need to move up the range (see inset for info on the EADS or EARS drives).


Pure performance

Once again, remember that the rating here, in contrast to the overall rating, takes into account all drives tested, including SSD performance.

The Caviar Green is no wonder drive. With performance levels close to the 32 MB version, the 16 MB version settles for being no more than average with speeds never exceeding 100 MB/s:
 

The Caviar Black from the same manufacturer definitely puts it in the shade, especially when it comes to reading and writing large files and these results are confirmed by the AS-SSD readings:
 

Access times are pretty good, especially if you take into account the fact that the drive only runs at 5400 rpm:
 

Performance in practice

In line with pure performance, the practical tests confirm the drive's average showing: above all, what we have here is a storage drive, or a main drive for a cheap PC.
 

Looking at some even more practical tests, you get the same sort of results. Whether you're installing the Crysis demo or Office 2007, the WD Caviar Green is not far off a minute slower than the Caviar Black or VelociRaptor:
 

These results do not make it a bad drive however. Of course it isn't particularly fast, but it does do a good deal better than the older generation drives with capacities limited to 500 GB. Its low energy consumption, quietness and low temperatures make it ideal for NAS servers or for storing information that doesn't require rapid access.