Description
Product Overview of the Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB Hard Drive
The Western Digital WD6400AAKS is part of the Caviar Blue series, which is a line of internal hard drives designed for desktop computers. The ‘640GB’ in the product name indicates the storage capacity, and it has become a popular choice for those seeking a balance between affordability and ample storage space. Western Digital, often abbreviated as WD, is a well-established manufacturer in the data storage industry. The WD6400AAKS is part of their Caviar Blue series, which is known for its balance between performance and affordability. This particular hard drive offers 640GB of storage capacity and is designed for use in desktop computers and workstations.
Capacity of 640GB
The 640GB storage capacity is ample for most users. It provides enough space to store a large number of documents, photos, music, and videos. While it may not be as capacious as some modern hard drives or solid-state drives, it is more than sufficient for typical day-to-day computing needs.
Rotational Speed 7.2K RPM
The WD6400AAKS operates at 7,200 RPM, which is considered a standard rotational speed for consumer-grade hard drives. This speed strikes a balance between data access speed and power consumption, making it a good choice for desktop computers. This rotational speed is higher than the standard 5,400 RPM often found in entry-level hard drives. The increased RPM results in faster data access times, making it well-suited for tasks that require quick data retrieval, such as gaming, video editing, and running operating systems.
Cache Size 16MB
The 16MB cache size helps in improving data transfer speeds. The cache is a small but high-speed memory in the hard drive that stores frequently accessed data, reducing the time it takes to retrieve data and enhancing overall performance. The WD6400AAKS comes with a 16MB cache. The cache serves as a temporary storage buffer for frequently accessed data, reducing the time it takes to retrieve data from the platters. A larger cache can improve the overall performance of the hard drive by allowing it to store more data that is frequently requested by the computer.
SATA Interface
The WD6400AAKS uses a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface. SATA interfaces are common in modern computers and provide a fast and reliable connection between the hard drive and the motherboard. The SATA interface used in this hard drive is SATA 3.0 Gb/s (SATA II), which offers a maximum data transfer rate of 3 gigabits per second. While it’s not the latest SATA standard (SATA III offers 6 Gb/s), SATA II is still more than adequate for most consumer and business applications. It provides a good balance between speed and compatibility.
Form Factor 3.5-Inch LFF
The hard drive is designed with a 3.5-inch large form factor, making it suitable for desktop computers. This form factor is not compatible with laptops, so it’s important to check your system’s compatibility before purchasing.
Read/Write Speeds
The read/write speeds of a hard drive are essential for determining its performance. While the WD6400AAKS provides decent speeds, it’s important to note that it may not match the performance of modern SSDs. However, for users who prioritize storage capacity over speed, this hard drive offers a good compromise.
Compatibility
As mentioned earlier, the WD6400AAKS is designed for desktop computers with a 3.5-inch drive bay. It is compatible with a wide range of desktop systems, but it’s essential to check compatibility with your specific computer model or motherboard.
Data Transfer Speed
The data transfer speed of a hard drive is influenced by its rotational speed and cache size. With a 7,200 RPM rotational speed and a 16MB cache, the WD6400AAKS offers a decent level of performance for a mechanical hard drive. It can handle data transfer tasks effectively, making it suitable for various applications, including multimedia storage and general computing.
Boot Time and Loading Speed
The WD6400AAKS can be used as a boot drive, which is the drive that contains the operating system of your computer. While it may not match the near-instantaneous boot times of SSDs, it provides reasonable boot times for an HDD, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious users.
Multimedia and Data Storage
One of the primary strengths of the WD6400AAKS is its suitability for multimedia and data storage. With 640GB of storage space, it can comfortably store a large collection of photos, videos, music, and documents. Its 7,200 RPM speed ensures that multimedia playback is smooth, and file access is relatively fast.
Affordability
Compared to solid-state drives, the WD6400AAKS is an affordable option for users seeking a large storage capacity. It’s an excellent choice for those who require ample storage but have budget constraints.
Benefits of the Western Digital WD6400AAKS:
The WD6400AAKS offers several benefits that make it a reliable and practical storage solution:
- Ample Storage Space: With 640GB of storage, you can store a vast amount of data, including documents, photos, videos, and more.
- Fast Data Access: The 7,200 RPM rotational speed ensures quick data access and faster file transfers.
- Reliability: Western Digital is known for producing dependable hard drives, and the Caviar Blue series is no exception.
- Compatibility: It works with both Windows and Mac operating systems, making it versatile and usable with a wide range of devices.
- Cost-Effective: It provides a balance between cost and performance, making it an affordable storage solution for most users.
- Multiple Use Cases: From home users to small businesses, the WD6400AAKS can serve various purposes, from storing multimedia content to acting as a backup solution.
- Quiet Operation: The drive is designed to operate quietly, ensuring a peaceful computing environment.
- Low Power Consumption: It’s energy-efficient, reducing power costs and environmental impact.
High Performance and Speed
The performance of the Western Digital WD6400AAKS is commendable for a hard drive in its class. Let’s break down its performance aspects:
- Data Transfer Rate: The drive’s 7,200 RPM ensures a fast data transfer rate, allowing for quicker file transfers and faster application loading times. This speed is advantageous for tasks that involve reading and writing large files, such as video editing.
- Cache Size: The 16MB cache size aids in smoother data retrieval. Frequently accessed data is temporarily stored in the cache, reducing the time it takes to access these files.
- Multitasking: The WD6400AAKS performs well in multitasking scenarios. You can run multiple applications simultaneously without a significant drop in performance.
- Gaming: Gamers can benefit from the drive’s speed, which results in faster game loading times. Storing games on this drive allows for an improved gaming experience.
- Media Playback: When used as a media server or to store multimedia content, the drive’s speed ensures seamless playback of high-definition videos and fast access to music and photos.
Applications
The Western Digital WD6400AAKS is a versatile hard drive suitable for a wide range of applications. Here are some common uses for this hard drive:
- Data Storage: The 640GB capacity is sufficient for storing documents, photos, music, and videos. It’s an excellent choice for users who need ample storage space for personal or work-related data.
- Gaming: The 7,200 RPM speed and 16MB cache make this drive a good choice for gamers. Faster data access times can result in reduced load times and smoother gameplay.
- Media Center: If you’re building a media center PC to store and stream movies, TV shows, and music, the WD6400AAKS can handle this task effectively.
- Workstations: For professionals who require reliable storage for their work-related files and applications, this hard drive offers a balance between performance and capacity.
- Backup Drive: The WD6400AAKS can be used as a backup drive to safeguard important data. It’s recommended to use backup software to automate the process.
Reliability and Durability
Reliability and durability are vital considerations when it comes to data storage. Western Digital has a reputation for producing reliable hard drives, and the WD6400AAKS is no exception. It features technologies that enhance both the reliability and durability of the drive.
ShockGuard This technology protects the drive against shock and vibrations, which can occur during transportation or while the drive is in use. ShockGuard helps to minimize the risk of data loss or damage due to physical impacts.
NoTouch Ramp Load Technology Western Digital’s NoTouch Ramp Load Technology ensures that the recording head never touches the disk platter’s surface. This feature reduces wear and tear on the drive, leading to increased durability and a longer lifespan.
Advanced Format The WD6400AAKS uses Advanced Format technology, which is designed to improve data integrity and reliability. It optimizes the way data is stored on the disk platters, resulting in better error correction and fewer instances of data corruption.
Main Information about this Western Digital WD6400AAKS
- Manufacturer: Western Digital
- Part Number or SKU# WD6400AAKS
- Device Type: Hard Disk Drive
- Interface: SATA-II
Technical Information of Internal Hard Drive
- Product Line: WD Caviar
- Form Factor: 3.5 Inch x 1/3H
- Storage Capacity: 640GB
- Serial ATA-300
- Buffer Size: 16MB
- SecurePark
- StableTrac
- IntelliSeek
- Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR)
- Compliant Standards: S.M.A.R.T.
Performance
- Drive Transfer Rate: 300 MBps
- Seek Time: 8.9 ms (average)
- Track-to-Track Seek Time: 2 ms
- Average Latency: 4.2 ms
- Spindle Speed: 7200 rpm
Reliability
- Storage Hard Drive / Non-Recoverable Errors 1 per 10^15
- Start / Stop Cycles 50,000
Expansion / Connectivity
- 1 x Serial ATA-300 – 7 pin Serial ATA
- Compatible Bays: 1 x Internal – 3.5 Inch x 1/3H
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Works with Windows Vista
- Compliant Standards RoHS
In summary, the Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB Hard Drive, part of the Caviar Blue series, is a reliable and affordable storage solution. It offers a good balance between storage capacity, performance, and value for money. With a spacious 640GB of storage, a 7,200 RPM rotational speed, and a 16MB cache, it’s suitable for a wide range of applications, from multimedia storage to general computing.
While it may not match the speed of solid-state drives, the WD6400AAKS provides excellent reliability and longevity, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize data preservation. As technology continues to advance, it’s essential to assess your specific needs and consider factors like capacity, speed, and compatibility to determine whether this hard drive is the right choice.
