Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/531
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 Ultra ATA 66 HDD
by Scott Gooden on April 14, 2000 12:02 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
In this installment we will take a look at a Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 series, 7200 RPM, Ultra ATA/66 hard drive. Although the reviewed model (52049U4) is only a 20 GB hard drive, it is representative of the entire DiamondMax Plus 40 family of drives and the results obtained through our testing should be identical to those from any of the drives in this product family.
Maxtor Corporation has quickly grown over the past two years, doubling its desktop market share for hard drives. They have made a determined effort to go from producing average performing hard drives a few years ago, to becoming one of the current performance leaders in the industry. In addition to the DiamondMax and DiamondMax Plus line of hard drives in the ATA segment, they also produce the DiamondMax VL (value line) for cost conscious consumers and the sub-$700 PC market.
In the DiamondMax Plus line of hard drives, Maxtor currently produces the DiamondMax Plus 40 and the older DiamondMax Plus 6800 series. Both of these model lines feature 7200-RPM drives and utilize the Ultra ATA/66 interface. The older DiamondMax Plus 6800 series, has disk platter densities of 6.8 GB’s per platter and storage capacities of up to 27 GB’s, while the newer DiamondMax Plus 40 series offers data densities of 10.2 GB per platter and storage capacities of up to 40.9 GB’s.
Specifications
The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 line of hard drives, are available in capacities of 10.2, 15.3, 20.4, 30.7, and 40.9 GB’s. All the drives feature the Ultra ATA/66 interface, 10.2 GB per platter data densities and have 7200-RPM rotational speeds. In addition, all of the drives in the DiamondMax Plus 40 family share the flowing performance and physical specifications.
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 Series |
|
Seek Time (Track to Track) |
1
ms
|
Seek Time (Average) |
< 9 ms |
Seek Time (Maximum) |
< 20 ms |
Average Latency |
4.17 ms |
Rotational Speed |
7200 RPM |
Controller Overhead |
< 0.3 ms |
Start Time (From stop to drive ready) |
< 10 sec |
Disk Transfer (To and from interface) |
66.6 MB/sec |
Disk Transfer (To and from media) |
43.2 MB/sec |
Buffer Size |
2 MB SDRAM |
Data Zones per Surface |
16 |
Bytes per Sector/Block |
512 |
Power Requirements/Environment | |
Seek | 12.9 Watts |
Read/Write | 6.8 Watts |
Idle | 6.6 Watts |
Standby | 1.4 Watts |
Acoustics at Idle | 3.6 bel |
Operating Temperature | 5 – 55 C |
The Drive
The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 series of hard drives, builds upon its predecessor the DiamondMax 6800 series, by increasing the platter densities to 10.2 GB per platter. By increasing the platter data densities, the DiamondMax Plus 40 series is able to obtain storage capacities of up to 40.9 GB’s, as well as realize an increased data transfer rate.
In the March 2000 roundup we saw how much of an impact rotational speed has on a hard drives performance. The other major factor of course, is the data density of a disk drives platter. With all else being equal, the drive with the higher data density will offer increased performance, simply because more data is going by the read/write heads, upon every revolution.
In addition to the increased platter data densities, all of the drives in the DiamondMax Plus 40 series feature 2 MB of 100 MHz SDRAM cache memory, rotational speeds of 7200-RPM, sub 9 ms seek times, and utilize the Ultra ATA/66 interface. The DiamondMax Plus 40 series also features Maxtor’s Dual Wave twin processor technology, which reportedly gives a ten-fold increase to command processing speeds.
The DiamondMax Plus family also includes Maxtor's ShockBlock and MaxSafe features. ShockBlock, which is designed to protect the drive from any damage caused by improper handling, which would happen mainly during installation, is able to withstand up to 1,000G of short-duration shock loads, without damaging the drive.
Lets take a quick look at the complete lineup in the DiamondMax Plus 40 family:
Model
Number
|
Formatted Capacity |
Data
Surfaces / Heads
|
51024U2 |
10,245 MB’s |
2 |
51536U3 |
15,367 MB’s |
3 |
52049U4 |
20,490 MB’s |
4 |
53073U6 |
30,735 MB’s |
6 |
54098U8 |
40,981 MB’s |
8 |
Upon reviewing the above chart, some of the information that can be gleaned from the model numbers becomes obvious. The 2nd through the 5th digits, represent the capacity of each drive model, which would be represented in 10 MB units. Thus the 1024 in the 51024U2 model number represents 1024-10 MB units, or 10,240 MB’s. The digit following the “U” represents the number of available data surfaces that each drive contains. Again, using the above example, one quickly sees that the 51024U2 model has 2 usable data surfaces. You can also see how the 10.2 GB’s per platter of data density comes into play. Using the second model number in the above chart, the 51526U3, you can see that although this drive contains two platters and therefore would have 4 available surfaces on which to record data, only 3 of them are being used.
We want to point out quickly, that we refer to one side of each platter, as a data surface. This is due to the fact that each platter can contain 2 data surfaces, one on each side of the physical platter. We bring this up because both surfaces of a platter are not always used, as shown with the 51536U3 model above. In all reality, the 15 GB model is the exact same as the 20 GB model, both of which utilize 2 platters and have a total of 4 data surfaces. However, in order to satisfy a wide spectrum of users, all of which have varying storage capacity needs, many manufactures will make an in-between unit, to help satisfy this market demand.
The reviewed drive, the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 (52049U4), has a formatted capacity just shy of 20.5 GB’s and utilizes all four of its 5.1 GB data surfaces, on its twin platters This model is the middle drive in the DiamondMax Pus 40 family, and the results obtained from this drive should be fairly representative of its siblings.
All of the drives in the DiamondMax Plus 40 series are backed by Maxtor’s comprehensive 3-year warranty, which also includes Maxtor’s unique No-Quibble policy. The No-Quibble policy allows you to obtain an advance replacement drive, which is shipped in as little as 2 business days from your calling their RMA department. You then have 30 days in which to return the defective drive, allowing you to return it with a more economical shipping method. This policy allows you to get your machine back up and running quickly, without the weeks delay you may normally encounter. Maxtor does require a credit card number for the advance replacement program, however no charges are made if you return the defective drive within the 30-day window.
The Test
The AnandTech storage test bed is currently set up using Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 and Windows 2000. Each operating system is set up using its own 4 GB partition with Windows 98 using the Fat 32 file system, Win NT 4.0 using the NTFS file system and 2 instances of Windows 2000, one using the FAT 32 file system and the other using NTFS. Since Windows 2000 supports both file systems, we decided to set up two platforms to help compare the performance under both situations. This will help the reader make an informed decision as to which drive performs best under each file system, for users planning to upgrade to Windows 2000. Also, all of the tests were run using the Ultra ATA 66 protocol, using an 80-pin IDE cable. In all instances, the only installed software is the operating system and the benchmark programs. The test drive is being run as the D: Drive in all instances, operating as master on the secondary IDE channel. The operating system and all benchmark programs are contained on the boot disk, or the C: Drive, which operates as the master on the primary channel.
The complete test bed is as follows:
- Intel Celeron 500 MHz CPU
- Intel CA810E motherboard with native Ultra ATA/66 support
- 128 MB Corsair PC100 SDRAM
- Ultra ATA/66 40-pin, 80-conductor HDD cable
- Microsoft Windows 98
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows 2000 (FAT 32)
- Microsoft Windows 2000 (NTFS)
- Ziff Davis Winstone 2000 CC
- Ziff Davis Winstone 99
- Ziff Davis Winbench 99
- Adaptec Threadmark 2 (Windows 98 and NT4 only)
Each hard disk was partitioned and formatted before each suite of tests on their respective operating systems, as to prevent any skewing of the test results. For purposes of consistency, each benchmark was run a total of 5 times, with the final score being the average of those five runs. The machine was rebooted between each test as to minimize the effects of any carryover from previous tests.
In addition to the above tests, we have added a temperature measurement of the test drive, while it is in operation. This measurement will be made with a standard thermocouple probe taped to the outside of the hard drive’s cover. All measurements will be made with the tested drive mounted in a normal drive bay, in a closed case. This will most closely resemble the normal conditions the drive will run in.
The temperature measurement test will produce 4 readings for each drive. These readings will be: average room temperature during the measured tests; average case temperatures during the measured tests; average drive temperature during measured tests; and finally the peak temperature the drive reached during the testing. All temperature tests will be done during the Windows 2000 NTFS portion of the testing, to ensure consistency. The temperature will be recorded every 30 minutes during the suite of tests and the results averaged. The peak temperature result will come from the peak hold feature of the thermometer.
In the following benchmark results, the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 results are compared with the data from the four 7200-RPM units, used in the March 2000 round up. For more insight into our choice of test bed and testing conditions, you can take a look back at the March 2000 hard drive roundup.
As you can see in this first test, the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 drive delivers strong performance, with a solid 0.7 MB/s lead over the competition, in the ZD Business Disk Winmark 99 test.
Here is just one of the very few tests that the Maxtor came in, other than on top. Under Windows 98, the Maxtor drive comes in second place to the WD and IBM units, although still turning in a very solid second place showing.
As you can see, the high platter data densities of the Maxtor drive really help it to step away from the competition. By delivering a 2.3 MB/s lead in the outer tracks and a 0.2 MB/s lead even on the inner tracks, the DiamondMax Plus 40 unit walks away with the crown in the data transfer scores.
The Maxtor drive also takes top honors under Business Winstone 99.
Again the Maxtor drive sits on top of the stack.
Under Windows 98 the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 walks away with the title in Adaptec’s Threadmark, as a hands down winner. Its not even a contest, as the Maxtor left the other drives in the dust.
Under Windows NT 4, the Maxtor unit posts results that are a full 1.6 MB/sec faster than the closest competitor. This represents a 29% increase in performance over the next fastest drive.
Once again readily pulling away from the group, the Maxtor drive scores a full 3.2 MB/s over the closest competitor, the Seagate Barracuda ATA. This time the Maxtor unit provides a 23% improvement over the next fastest drive.
Here is part of the reason the Maxtor unit does so well, the 10.2 GB per platter data densities help give the Maxtor drive a 2.3 MB/s boost in sustained data transfer rates on the outermost tracks, while maintaining a 0.2 MB/s lead on the inner tracks.
Maxtor again takes top honors under Business Winstone 99, as it pulls away with a score of 0.5 Winstone units over the closest competition.
The Maxtor unit posts an impressive 27.7 points under ZD’s Content Creation benchmark. What’s most impressive here is that the Maxtor drive was able to achieve a 1.4 point boost over the other drives, which all remained within 0.3 points of one another.
No surprises here, as the Maxtor unit leads the competition by 0.5 Winstone points.
Adaptec’s Threadmark 2.0 shows much the same results, as did the ZD Winbench Disk Transfer tests, that the Maxtor’s unit offers sustained transfer rates well above that of the competition. In this case, the difference is nearly a 4 MB/s advantage over the competition, under Windows NT 4.
Under Windows 2000 the results aren’t quite as dramatic as above, but the Maxtor unit lands just about in the middle of the ZD Business Disk Winmark test. With such a close point spread between the units, all the drives are close to equal under this test.
Once again, under ZD High End Disk Winmark, Maxtor takes the crown as it turns it an impressive 2.5 MB/s lead over the nearest competitor, the Seagate unit.
Maxtor’s higher data densities help it run away with the data transfer rate tests, as it maintains its 2.3 MB/s lead in the outer tracks, while still maintaining a slight .2 MB/s advantage in the slower inner tacks tests. Overall a good performer, the Maxtor units slowest inner track readings are not too far away from the faster outer track readings of the 3 drives on the bottom of the chart.
Maxtor is basically tied with the IBM and WD drives, for first place in this test, once again turning in a solid showing.
The Maxtor drive comes out on top in the High End Winstone tests with a .3 Winstone Unit lead over its closest competitor the Seagate Barracuda ATA.
Windows 2000 (NTFS) Benchmark Results
Under Windows 2000 NTFS, the test results fall into the same general pattern as the FAT 32 scores, with the Maxtor unit either coming in on top, or tying for first place in most of the tests. The tested scores are slightly lower in some cases, this being due to NTFS’s slightly higher overhead than with the FAT 32 file system. Since the results are basically a repeat of the results from the FAT32 tests, we will omit them from this review. They will be present in any future roundups involving this drive.
Temperature Tests
|
Temperature (F) |
Temperature (C) |
Average Room Temperature |
72.2 |
22.4 |
Average Case Temperature (Internal) |
81.5 |
27.4 |
Average Hard Drive Temperature |
87.2 |
30.7 |
Peak Temperature Recorded |
90.7 |
32.6 |
Conclusion
The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40, 20.4 GB hard drive, is a solid performing drive and turns in impressive results due to its 7200-RPM rotational speed and 10.2 GB per platter data densities. With an solid 2MB/s plus advantage, over the other tested drives, in the disk transfer tests, along with a top showing in almost all of the remaining tests, of the five 7200-RPM units reviewed so far here at AnandTech, the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 series is a sure bet.
As far as the temperature tests goes, since this is the first drive we have reviewed using the new temperature testing method, we really do not have anything to compare it with yet. As far as the readings we recorded, the results seem to be within the reasonable limits that one would expect a hard drive to operate within. Although it may seem meaningless to include our temperature results at this point, we do intend to include this test in all of our upcoming reviews, so eventually we will have some data with which to compare the results.
The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 (52049U4) was a very quiet drive in operation and in our opinion, as quiet as the IBM units we evaluated. While at the present moment, the noise level evaluation is a subjective opinion, we do plan to come up with someway to isolate the drive being tested and measure its noise level in a controlled way.
The impressive performance delivered by the drive, coupled with Maxtor’s standard 3-year warranty and No–Quibble guarantee, lends peace of mind that you will be buying a high performing and reliable product for years to come.
As the reviewed drive, model number 52049U4, is in the same family and has the same specifications as the rest of the DiamondMax Plus 40 series of drives, its excellent performance is indicative of the entire model line and any of the units from this family should perform similarly.
Whether you use you machine for data transfer intensive tasks such as video or sound editing, or simply use your computer for tasks such as gaming or general business applications, the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 series of hard drives will do a outstanding job and is highly recommended. If you were choosing an Ultra ATA/66 drive, we would defiantly recommend that you take a look at the Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 series.
Reviewed Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 (52049U4), 20.4 GB hard drive.
Main Features: 7200-RPM, Ultra ATA/66 interface, 2 MB SDRAM cache, 10.2 GB per platter data densities, sub 9 ms average seek times and capacities of 10.2, 15.3, 20.4, 30.7, and 40.9 GB’s.
Warranty: 3-years with No-Quibble return policy.
Estimated Price: $170.00
How it Rates
AnandTech Motherboard Rating |
|
Rating
(x/10)
|
|
Performance
|
8.5
|
Features
|
7.5
|
Price
|
6.5
|
Availability
|
7.0
|
Documentation & Software Bundle
|
6.0
|
Overall Rating - Not an Average - Click here to find out why |
8.0
|