Home > Consumer Reviews > Western Digital WD3200KSRTL Caviar 320 GB SATA 3.5-Inch Hard Drive
Western Digital WD3200KSRTL Caviar 320 GB SATA 3.5-Inch Hard Drive
See it at Amazon.com for $58.00Average Customer Rating
(4.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share(Doesn't come with cables)
(4 out of 5) by Elsa C. Prahl on Nov 3, 2009I got this in hopes that replacing the harddrive would fix my computer's crashing problem. It didn't, but it's still a nicer harddrive than I had- quieter, faster (usually. But then, my computer's a lemon, so i can't be hard on this drive). When I purchased it it came with no cables- some reviews mention cables and even discs and manuals, but it was not the case with mine- i bought a cheap cable off of newegg though, and plugging it all in and getting it set up wasn't hard.
Good Hard Drive
(4 out of 5) by Bryan M. Eaton on Oct 18, 2009Excellent Hard drive so far, no problems. Easy installation, but didn't come with a SATA cable. 5.9 on WEI for Windows 7....
Note: requires SATA power cable, not Molex
(4 out of 5) by Steven Whitney on Sep 25, 2009This drive is in a retail package suitable for display on a store shelf (i.e. it's not an OEM bare drive), so it comes with some extras: SATA data cable, instruction pamphlet in multiple languages, 4 mounting screws, and a CD of the Data Lifeguard setup and diagnostic software.
A SATA hard drive requires two cables: a SATA data cable (included) and a power cable (not included).
The included data cable is straight on both ends (neither end has a 90-degree bend as some SATA cables do). On the drive end, there is a big plastic nub that helps you get a better grip. As another reviewer mentioned, in a computer where the drive is mounted sideways in the chassis (ex: Gateway 710X), the nub may stick out so far from the back of the drive that it prevents the case from closing. However, it's just soft clear plastic (you can see through it) with no wires inside. You can saw off however much you need to with an Xacto saw or hacksaw or maybe a knife.
Older WD drives had two types of POWER connectors on the back: a SATA power connector and a "legacy" rectangular white 4-pin Molex connector. You could use either one.
Two of the images associated with this item, including the main product image at the top of this page, show this drive with the additional legacy Molex 4-pin power connector on the back. This item does not have that power connector. I lowered my rating by 1 star because of the outdated and inaccurate product image. (It resulted in a two-week delay before I could put the drive into use.)
This drive only has a SATA power connector on the back. If your computer power supply only provides you with the old-type Molex power plugs, you will need a Molex-to-SATA power plug converter such as this one: Syba SY-CAB40007 Molex 4 Pin to 2x 15 Pin SATA Power Cable (5.5 Inches).
Amazon shows a cable that is "often ordered" with this drive, but it is a data cable. It already comes with a data cable. You are more likely to need the power cable adapter described above.
The drive is amazingly quiet. I cannot hear it at all over the sounds of my 5 year old WD 160GB drive.
A SATA hard drive requires two cables: a SATA data cable (included) and a power cable (not included).
The included data cable is straight on both ends (neither end has a 90-degree bend as some SATA cables do). On the drive end, there is a big plastic nub that helps you get a better grip. As another reviewer mentioned, in a computer where the drive is mounted sideways in the chassis (ex: Gateway 710X), the nub may stick out so far from the back of the drive that it prevents the case from closing. However, it's just soft clear plastic (you can see through it) with no wires inside. You can saw off however much you need to with an Xacto saw or hacksaw or maybe a knife.
Older WD drives had two types of POWER connectors on the back: a SATA power connector and a "legacy" rectangular white 4-pin Molex connector. You could use either one.
Two of the images associated with this item, including the main product image at the top of this page, show this drive with the additional legacy Molex 4-pin power connector on the back. This item does not have that power connector. I lowered my rating by 1 star because of the outdated and inaccurate product image. (It resulted in a two-week delay before I could put the drive into use.)
This drive only has a SATA power connector on the back. If your computer power supply only provides you with the old-type Molex power plugs, you will need a Molex-to-SATA power plug converter such as this one: Syba SY-CAB40007 Molex 4 Pin to 2x 15 Pin SATA Power Cable (5.5 Inches).
Amazon shows a cable that is "often ordered" with this drive, but it is a data cable. It already comes with a data cable. You are more likely to need the power cable adapter described above.
The drive is amazingly quiet. I cannot hear it at all over the sounds of my 5 year old WD 160GB drive.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Shipping and packing terrible
(1 out of 5) by B. Paine on Sep 24, 2009 (York, PA)Ordered this Sept 12th, arrived Sept 24. WAY too long. Further is arrived in a package with little attempt at protecting this fragile device. I will be sending is back if it is non-functional.
Totally dissatisfied with this level of service...
Totally dissatisfied with this level of service...
Top Notch Backup HDD
(5 out of 5) by Matt J. Rose on Jul 8, 2009 (De Pere, WI USA)I'm running a little over 2tb worth of HDD space on my PC right now, only expanded after buying a HDD Sony Camcorder and getting into editing and making movies.
I purchased this drive mainly as a back up for photos, music, and raw video files needing a place to stay till I get around to editing/deleting them. The install is very straight forward, and was complete in 5-10 minutes.
This drive is very quite, almost silent even when at full operating speed (writing a 40-60gb video file, etc)
I like having everything organized, and this drive really helped with that, since I can keep everything on it until I know what to do with it...or get time to work with it. As I mentioned its also nice for auto backups of photos and music.
I think anybody from an all day computer user to somebody who just needs a place to store their family photos will appreciate the price, size, and quietness of this WD Caviar hard drive.
I purchased this drive mainly as a back up for photos, music, and raw video files needing a place to stay till I get around to editing/deleting them. The install is very straight forward, and was complete in 5-10 minutes.
This drive is very quite, almost silent even when at full operating speed (writing a 40-60gb video file, etc)
I like having everything organized, and this drive really helped with that, since I can keep everything on it until I know what to do with it...or get time to work with it. As I mentioned its also nice for auto backups of photos and music.
I think anybody from an all day computer user to somebody who just needs a place to store their family photos will appreciate the price, size, and quietness of this WD Caviar hard drive.