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indigoimac · Aug 20, 2009, 05:35 PM

I'm looking to upgrade the drive in my late 2006 iMac (see the sig) from the stock Seagate 160 to something around 500 or so. The upgrade will correspond with upgrading to Snow Leopard.

Anyway, I'm looking for something that is quiet, like the stock one, and is pretty much as fast as possible ('cause why not)

Here are the three that are at the top of my list:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148395
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

Anyone upgraded to one of these or have any thoughts other than the upgrade it self being a pain.

zerostar · Aug 20, 2009, 05:46 PM

Caviar Black is my choice.... But I'd get the 1TB since your opening the iMac up and all.... for $30 the platters are denser and thus quicker.

Second would be the 7200.12 but only the 500GB since its on one platter its nice and quick, neck and neck with the black.. the 1TB is two and loses alot of the benefits.
I'd stay away from the blue.. thats the "value" line, the green, while a bit slower, is actually much quieter and cooler (due to lower power use)

I have a WD 1TB black in mine and no problems, no fans on more... nothing but better speed is all I can see :-)
p.s. Snow Leopard screams on the black!

Simon · Aug 21, 2009, 05:13 AM

I'll second zerostar's post. If you're going to open up the iMac be sure to chose something that will last. And 1T drives have become really cheap lately.

The Black and the 7200.12 will be roughly on par. The 7200.12 is a tad cheaper so that's what I'd chose. I would also stay away from the Blue if performance is important. The saving are minor anyway. If you're worried about noise/heat more than about performance you should be looking at the Green series though (or Seagate LP or Samsung EcoGreen).

indigoimac · Aug 24, 2009, 09:42 PM

Well, now that SL is coming out early -- it looks like I will go with the 500gig Black -- I just don't see the machine ever needing 1Tb -- especially since there is a 1Tb network share already.

Thanks for the advice!

Eriamjh · Aug 25, 2009, 06:57 AM

I've been looking to do the same with my CD iMac, except if I'm going to open it up to install a HDD, I might as well replace the processor with a C2D.

I wouldn't put anything smaller than a TB in it, but only if you think you are going to fill it. Target price for 1TB is about $67. 1.5TBs can be had for $100. For the money, even a 500GB doesn't provide enough bang for the buck.