Hardware.fr - The VelociRaptor without the IcePack

The VelociRaptor without the IcePack
>> Storage >> Hard Disks

Written by Marc Prieur
Published on July 24, 2008

URL: http://www.behardware.com/news/lire/24-07-2008/#9850

Western Digital has just announced the availability of its VelociRaptor in 2"1/2 format, or in other words, without an IcePack radiator enabling it to fit into a 3"1/2 slot. Contrary to the version with the IcePack (WD3000GLFS), this model is available in 300 GB (2 platters) and also 150 GB (a single platter): the WD3000BLFS and WD1500BLFS. Normally, Western planned these models for 1U and 2U blade servers.

As we noticed in our test of the VelociRaptor, while the IcePack improves cooling, it can also increase the drive’s noise levels. The release of a model without it fortunately means that you do not lose the warranty which would otherwise not be applicable if you separated the drive from the IcePack yourself. However, it’s recommended that you ventilate the hard drive casing as the VelociRaptor’s controller has the tendency to increase in temperature.