Maximum PC

hey guys

I'm not sure if this is the right section of the forum but I'm looking for help in determining a HDD with the following spec:

1) has the BEST and coolest operating temperature
2) has a reasonably high disk read/write (xxxx MB/sec)
3) sata 2 (non-raid)
4) 500 GB is good enough, 1TB + is ok too
5) very low error rate

Could you guys give your opinions on various HDD ? Thanks I could go for up to $180. I was also thinking about SSD because its got a very high disk read/write MB/sec but its still expensive.

PS: my hitachi "HDS725050KLA360" reports 54 degC ( winXP + all the game folders). My other HDD 250GB/40GB ( mp3, movies) are like 49 and 37 deg C, respectively.

Thanks in advance guys

The Samsung SpinPoint F3 has gotten incredibly good reviews, it's extremely fast, and I've never heard of Samsung having HDD reliability issues. I don't own one myself, though, so I couldn't tell you much about temps. Though I can tell you my Seagate 7200.11 640GB runs quite cool- usually around 35C with a 120mm intake fan blowing right over it. (it is winter though)

Im nodding towards a 1TB WD Caviar Black. I own one and its been a great drive!

+5 ... I own five across three builds.

my 1tb wd caviar black is currently holding at 85 F and has been on for weeks steady with no errors

I use a old school raptor(74gb) for my OS and the 1tb for mass storage.
It's worked well so far for me.

compared to modern drives, it's not fast though. WD is quite reliable, but they don't have the fastest stuff around right now.

I'm running a relatively old Velociraptor 300 and a Seagate LP 1TB for storage. I did use that same drive in a build along with a 720BE and intergfx. Got a call the next day saying how fast it was.

Both drives are running 25C idle in my HAF932. Never seen them go over 35C, and I cannot hear them. At all. Whatsoever. My TB drive runs around 100MB/sec and the VRaptor is around 130 MB/sec according to HDTune.
That seagate is also a very low power drive.

If you have some extra funds, the new 2TB Black from WD is the new fastest drive on the planet according to MPC. That goes for around 300.

Just my 2 cents.

Thank you guys for tips and suggestions

Wow your HDD gets 100 / 130 M/sec on HDTUNE huh ?
Mine sadly.. HUDTUNE reports 62 MB/sec max

Those are avg speeds, not max.

The 7200.11 HDs had serious issues and really put a dent in Seagates name. The 7200.12 has been pretty "kick ass" and actually earned the MPC kickass award against the Spinpoint F1.
You can't go wrong with either the WD Black (1TB or 2TB) or the 7200.12 series.
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/seagate_barracuda_720012_1tb

Thank you so much for the info I will be getting either one after the xmas holidays