Performance in PCMark 2004

PCMark04 benchmarks hard disk drives in four different modes: Windows XP Startup is the typical disk subsystem load at system startup; Application Loading is the disk activity at sequential starting-up and closing of six popular applications; File Copying measures the HDD’s performance when copying a set of files; the General Usage parameter reflects the disk activity in a number of popular applications. These four parameters are used to calculate the overall performance rating.

Each test is performed ten times and the results are averaged.

The new Western Digital is better than others at booting the OS up. This HDD seems to be going to win every test possible! The Hitachi is good, taking second place. The Samsung turns in a disappointing performance.

The Hitachi is the best at loading applications. This manufacturer seems to know some secret that helps beat the higher-density 500GB Western Digital. The Samsung shows a poor performance again.

The 500GB Western Digital wins the test, enjoying a 20% over its opponents.

The Hitachi steps up on top again in the General Usage test. Interestingly, Western Digital’s 320GB model is ahead of the 500GB one. There must be some differences in the drives’ firmware indeed.

So, first place goes to the 500GB Western Digital but the Hitachi is very close to it. The Samsung is a disappointment, being much slower than the best models of the previous generation.