2TB Samsung HD204UI/Z4, SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG SATA 3Gb/s, 32MB Cache £63 @ Scan

resinsman

How do we get the free delivery?Is there a link from the AV Forums … How do we get the free delivery?Is there a link from the AV Forums site?tiaRead lessRead more

You need something like 20 posts, if you spam like that you will get them in no time.

Before anyone starts with the 5400RPM bashing, this is a comparison between my two drives:

[image missing]

The other drive being a Samsung F3 1TB 7200RPM, which is regarded as being one of the fastest mainstream 7200RPM drives.

As you can see, the data transfer drops as you get towards the inside of the disk. Even on a 7200RPM drive, you need to partition it so that only the first 60% of the drive is used as a system drive. I'm presuming this is the reason of the small capacity of the current 7200RPM F4 drives, there are only using the outside of the disk to improve benchmarks.

I was also mistaken on the firmware, it's the JP1/JP2 which has seperate firmware. The Z4 uses the same as the normal drive.

F2 1.5TB vs F4 2TB:

[image missing]

A Western Digitial 320GB 7200RPM SATA drive from 2008 vs the F4 2TB:

[image missing]

Here's also a comparison to my Samsung 7200RPM IDE drive from 2006

[image missing]

7200RPM isn't always faster...

(edited)

My Amazon drive is manufactured in December, so shouldn't need the firmware update. The Scan drive was manufactured around September, so needed the firmware update.

As for how the drive is fairing, doesn't seem anything wrong with it. For a 5400RPM drive, it feels very very fast. I have a pair of 1.5TB F2's, and it feels so much faster.

They are all for data storage, but from the speed of it you could use it as a system drive. Although either one of the 1.5TB's or 2TB's will be used as the X360's main drive, it all depends on how the 2TB's 4K AF effects read speeds.

It's worth remembering the outside of the disk is faster. So if you partition one of these into 2 1TB partitions, and use the first partition for system use it should be fast enough. I have a F3 1TB 7200RPM drive, and from cloning that has a OS in the last 150GB which is slower than the F4.



(edited)

If you buy these drives, make sure you check/update the firmware otherwise you risk data loss depnding on the firmware revision you have -

samsung.com/glo…386

bluespace77

Before anyone starts with the 5400RPM bashing, this is a comparison … Before anyone starts with the 5400RPM bashing, this is a comparison between my two drives:The other drive being a Samsung F3 1TB 7200RPM, which is regarded as being one of the fastest mainstream 7200RPM drives.As you can see, the data transfer drops as you get towards the inside of the disk. Even on a 7200RPM drive, you need to partition it so that only the first 60% of the drive is used as a system drive. I'm presuming this is the reason of the small capacity of the current 7200RPM F4 drives, there are only using the outside of the disk to improve benchmarks.I was also mistaken on the firmware, it's the JP1/JP2 which has seperate firmware. The Z4 uses the same as the normal drive.F2 1.5TB vs F4 2TB:A Western Digitial 320GB 7200RPM SATA drive from 2008 vs the F4 2TB:Here's also a comparison to my Samsung 7200RPM IDE drive from 20067200RPM isn't always faster...Read lessRead more

Those are sequential reads. Modern 7200rpm will beat this on random writes or reads.

wombat6025

The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The … The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The Amazon drive is the proper hd204ui (not a z4), and has the Samsung warrenty.It's also interesting that each drive has it's own firmwre update, so presumably there's a hardware difference between them.Read lessRead more

I ordered the drive from both Scan and Amazon, the packaging from Scan was just bubble wrapping the hard disk plastic case and then put it in a plastic bag, thats it. the hard disk plastic case had some creak in the corner and I was a bit disappointed with Scan's packaging. On the other hand, Amazon packed the drive quite nicely, hard drive case in a sponged box then outside was the Amazon labeled box, so happy with that. The main different between these two sources is the warranty, if you order from Scan and have a faulty drive within 3 years you need to deal with Scan directly, that's the only option. If order from Amazon, they will replace the drive if it is faulty, then next two years you still covered by Samsung manufacture warranty.
(edited)

cyborgk

so basicly, you download new firmware =burn image to cd = undo cable from … so basicly, you download new firmware =>burn image to cd => undo cable from C drive (op system) , connect to samsung drive, boot cd ,then install new firmware .... is that right? bit newbie with this ^^Read lessRead more

You don't need to remove other devices, if you did you wouldn't be able to boot from the CD. It's easier just to copy the files to a bootable memory card/ USB drive.

I had 3 other Samsung drives connected when I updated the firmware on mine, it simply skips them saying the firmware update isn't for them.

JamesLeungPhotography

Currently drives can detect falls and tuck away their drive heads before … Currently drives can detect falls and tuck away their drive heads before hitting the ground.Read lessRead more

1. That applies to laptop drives, unless you have a desktop PC sat on your lap.
2. That applies to drives which are in use and powered.
3. When drives aren't in use the heads will be parked.
4. Modern drives automatically park their heads when powered down.

So how is that going to apply to a desktop drive being delivered by Royal Mail? or in Scan's case DPD?


(edited)

How do we get the free delivery?

Is there a link from the AV Forums site?
tia

sven256

You need something like 20 posts, if you spam like that you will get them … You need something like 20 posts, if you spam like that you will get them in no time.Read lessRead more

Quality!! LMAO!

so how much is delivery for non AVForums members as I think this will apply to most on this site.

Thanks

drop_dead_budgie

so how much is delivery for non AVForums members as I think this will … so how much is delivery for non AVForums members as I think this will apply to most on this site.ThanksRead lessRead more

Lots of people use AVForums if only for the Scan free delivery - lots of good deals each day so well worth the small effort to sign up.

avforums.com/for…php
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Awesome spot, I was going to order 4 yesterday, thought I'd hold out for day and it worked

I have one of these from Scan delivered 2 weeks ago, and one just delivered from Amazon which was ordered on the 29th for £61.23.

The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The Amazon drive is the proper hd204ui (not a z4), and has the Samsung warrenty.
(edited)

brookheather

Lots of people use AVForums if only for the Scan free delivery - lots of … Lots of people use AVForums if only for the Scan free delivery - lots of good deals each day so well worth the small effort to sign up.[url=http://www.avforums.com/forums/scan_offer.php]http://www.avforums.com/forums/scan_offer.php[/url]Read lessRead more

If you aren't signed up you've missed this deal as you must be signed up at least a week and make 20 posts to qualify. BUT it's well worth doing now ready for the next SCAN deal post

(edited)

bluespace77

I have one of these from Scan delivered 2 weeks ago, and one just … I have one of these from Scan delivered 2 weeks ago, and one just delivered from Amazon which was ordered on the 29th for £61.23.The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The Amazon drive is the proper hd204ui (not a z4), and has the Samsung warrenty.It's also interesting that each drive has it's own firmwre update, so presumably there's a hardware difference between them.Read lessRead more

How are they faring? I need a new drive and looking at one of these. Are you using for data storage etc?
Anyone got anything positive/negative from personal experience?
Ta
(edited)

bluespace77

I have one of these from Scan delivered 2 weeks ago, and one just … I have one of these from Scan delivered 2 weeks ago, and one just delivered from Amazon which was ordered on the 29th for £61.23.The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The Amazon drive is the proper hd204ui (not a z4), and has the Samsung warrenty.It's also interesting that each drive has it's own firmwre update, so presumably there's a hardware difference between them.Read lessRead more

I just received my F4 from Amazon @£61.23 - usual Amazon sloooow delivery and the drive in a plastic carrier inside a large box with no padding - I was debating whether to send it back without using as it's clearly had rough handling, and go for this SCAN offer, but I'll check out the firmware issue...

resinsman

How do we get the free delivery?Is there a link from the AV Forums … How do we get the free delivery?Is there a link from the AV Forums site?tiaRead lessRead more

nice reading chet

sven256

You need something like 20 posts, if you spam like that you will get them … You need something like 20 posts, if you spam like that you will get them in no time.Read lessRead more

You also need to be a member for 7 days to get the code, so spammers will miss the today only deals they sign up for.

Just join AVForums - I've been a member there for years and don't really venture outside the Gaming section on the forums. You don't have to be into your AV equipment to get something out of the forum.

avforums.com/for…ng/

Getting tempted with this offer though - The 1TB drive in my Popcorn Hour is almost full. Could be upgrade time
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Apologies for the multiple posts,
now deleted.

Have been a avforum member for a while,
have made the required 20 (non-spam) posts,
but just could not see the link through to the Scan site.

Now found,
and ordered two for my Synology 207+.

jukkie

If you buy these drives, make sure you check/update the firmware … If you buy these drives, make sure you check/update the firmware otherwise you risk data loss depnding on the firmware revision you have -http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/faqView.do?b2b_bbs_msg_id=386Read lessRead more

Many thanks for the link,

bookmarked,

ready for the postman to bring my hdds.

Thanks for the advice guys... Will take a look at av forums now.

Hello there does anyone know if this will be any good for my Sky HD Box (DRX 780?)

It might be as its slow (5400) but not sure about the startup voltage... etc..???

nice find! i'm still waiting for these to drop <£50 before i buy a pair double the storage in my server. heat added..

reelist

nice find! i'm still waiting for these to drop

£50 really? Im waiting for below £60 & i thought i was being optimistic. £55 would be a great price. I know £2 isnt too far off what im prepared to pay and £2 realistically is nothing, if u misplace it you wouldnt even know its missing, but for some very strange reason, when it comes to hard drives, i just want to be able to think/say that i got it for under £60 lol.

I have a Samsung spinpoint F3 1TB in my gaming computer, great HDD's, if this was 7200RPM I'd grab it straight away for the HTPC I'm looking to build

Edit - I must admit this is still tempting though as I'm not sure if 7200RPM drive will see much improvement with XBMC/MythTV.
(edited)

bluespace77

My Amazon drive is manufactured in December, so shouldn't need the … My Amazon drive is manufactured in December, so shouldn't need the firmware update. The Scan drive was manufactured around September, so needed the firmware update.As for how the drive is fairing, doesn't seem anything wrong with it. For a 5400RPM drive, it feels very very fast. I have a pair of 1.5TB F2's, and it feels so much faster. They are all for data storage, but from the speed of it you could use it as a system drive. Although either one of the 1.5TB's or 2TB's will be used as the X360's main drive, it all depends on how the 2TB's 4K AF effects read speeds. It's worth remembering the outside of the disk is faster. So if you partition one of these into 2 1TB partitions, and use the first partition for system use it should be fast enough. I have a F3 1TB 7200RPM drive, and from cloning that has a OS in the last 150GB which is slower than the F4.Read lessRead more

can you post me the link from amazon please !! thought about getting this HD week ago but reading about firmware issued :((

I picked up a SATA III 6GB 2TB drive in the today only sale yesterday, which one is better?

wombat6025

I just received my F4 from Amazon @£61.23 - usual Amazon sloooow delivery … I just received my F4 from Amazon @£61.23 - usual Amazon sloooow delivery and the drive in a plastic carrier inside a large box with no padding - I was debating whether to send it back without using as it's clearly had rough handling, and go for this SCAN offer, but I'll check out the firmware issue...Read lessRead more

I received mine today and it was the same - totally unprotected within the outer box. Very poor packaging from Amazon. I didn't even open it to check it worked - just sent it back. It's probably already taken a good bashing in transit possibly shortening it's life span if it's not already DOA.

Thumbs up to Amazon on their customer service though, guy mentioned they'd had some complaints recently about the same thing. Replacement dispatched today and paid returns label provided for the old one. It will be interesting to see how well packed the replacement is... If it comes up short again I'm ordering from scan - right now it's only £1 more expensive than Amazon was and from recent experience they pack their drives very well.

bluespace77

The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The … The drive from Scan is a hd204ui/z4, and the warrenty is with Scan. The Amazon drive is the proper hd204ui (not a z4), and has the Samsung warrenty.Read lessRead more

Would I be right in that you are basing this on the info you get by submitting your drive serials on the warranty checker on the Samsung site?

Cuddy

Would I be right in that you are basing this on the info you get by … Would I be right in that you are basing this on the info you get by submitting your drive serials on the warranty checker on the Samsung site?Read lessRead more

Yes. "HD204UI | INW | 2014-03 | 100 | In warranty"

For the Scan drive it's the usual: "HD204UI | | | 103 | Out of Service area"


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I purchased a 1TB Samsung F3 as an OS drive from Scan last week and thankfully it was a proper UK drive with 3 years warranty with Samsung.

I purchased the same drive over a year ago from scan and got the "103 - Out of Service area" message on Samsung's website.

bluespace77

Yes. "HD204UI | INW | 2014-03 | 100 | In warranty"For the Scan drive … Yes. "HD204UI | INW | 2014-03 | 100 | In warranty"For the Scan drive it's the usual: "HD204UI | | | 103 | Out of Service area"Read lessRead more

Thanks for the confirmation. I've made use of Samsung warranty before for a few of their early F1 drives and the turnaround was fast, about a week if I recall correctly

can someone recommend a good NAS , I want to buy 2 of these drives

There's a good forum thread about the problems with the HD204UI drive over at:

forum.synology.com/enu…905

I'm considering getting the Synology DS411+ NAS box and filling it with 4x hard drives - but that specific 2TB drive was recently taken off Synology's recommended list

Towards the end of that forum thread a firmware update seems to have fixed the problems.. worth reading through

so basicly, you download new firmware =>burn image to cd => undo cable from C drive (op system) , connect to samsung drive, boot cd ,then install new firmware .... is that right? bit newbie with this ^^

forget the read/write tests - just pop on a few forums, these Samusng drives are very quick considering they are 5400rpm's. I have 2 already and they are fast than my Seagate 7200rpm and my WD7200rpm drives

Really tempted but am put off by the firmware issues. I read on a forum that even after updating the firmware, people were still having problems. Will probably hold off a while until the problem is genuinely fixed..

cyborgk

so basicly, you download new firmware =burn image to cd = undo cable from … so basicly, you download new firmware =>burn image to cd => undo cable from C drive (op system) , connect to samsung drive, boot cd ,then install new firmware .... is that right? bit newbie with this ^^Read lessRead more

I have 2 of these drives and run 64-bit Fedora Linux myself. I updated the firmware using the ]biosdisk utility - which basically creates a FreeDOS+firmware binary ISO image. I burned that to a DVD+RW (does anyone use CDs nowadays?), booted from it and the software patched both drives successfully.

I imagine that Windows users would need to create a similar image using a DOS boot disk, but I suspect Google is your friend here. I should mention that I've had no problems at all with the drive either before or after the firmware update and I have 6 OS'es and hundred's of GBs of data spread across the two drives.
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