Western Digital Caviar Blue 640 GB HDD - Quiet 7200 RPM Performance

In this review of the Western Digital Caviar Blue 640 GB hard drive the bottom line is simple: it is a practical, cost-conscious internal drive for desktop users who need reliable capacity and noticeably quiet operation. The reviewer found the drive well suited to everyday computing, light multimedia storage, and system upgrades where a balance of speed and low noise matters. The WD Caviar Blue's combination of 640 GB capacity, 7200 RPM spindle speed and whisper-quiet operation is the single biggest reason to choose it over slower or louder alternatives.

Key Features

• 640 GB capacity: Provides ample room for photos, music and video, holding up to tens of thousands of files for typical home and office use.
• 7200 RPM performance: Faster spindle speed delivers snappier read/write responsiveness compared with 5400 RPM drives for everyday desktop tasks.
• WhisperDrive technology: Designed to minimize acoustic output so the drive runs near the threshold of human hearing during normal operation.
• SoftSeek and IntelliSeek: Optimized seek algorithms reduce vibration, noise, and power consumption while improving overall drive efficiency.
• SATA II interface: Standard desktop connectivity makes installation straightforward in most modern PCs.
• Three year limited warranty: Gives extra confidence in long-term reliability for home or small business use.

Who It's For

The Caviar Blue 640 GB is aimed at desktop users upgrading an older system, builders who want a quiet mainstream drive, and anyone needing a large magnetic volume for bulk storage without the premium cost of solid state storage. Gamers on a tight budget who need extra storage for older titles will also find the drive useful.

Those who should look elsewhere include users who need the absolute fastest boot and application load times-an SSD remains the better choice-or professionals requiring enterprise-grade durability or write-heavy RAID arrays where a drive designed for datacenter workloads would be more appropriate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consistently quiet operation thanks to WhisperDrive and IntelliSeek technologies.
• Good 7200 RPM performance for improved desktop responsiveness over 5400 RPM options.
• Large 640 GB capacity offers strong value for bulk storage needs.
• Easy installation and broad compatibility with standard SATA II systems.

Cons

• Not as fast as modern SSDs for boot and application load times.
• Bulk/OEM packaging means no retail accessories for users expecting extras out of the box.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Western Digital Caviar Blue 640 GB is a sensible, value-oriented internal drive for desktop upgrades and general storage tasks. It combines a useful 640 GB capacity with 7200 RPM performance and remarkably low noise, making it a compelling choice for users who want dependable magnetic storage without paying for an SSD or enterprise features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this drive easy to install?
Yes. The SATA II interface and standard 3.5 in form factor make installation straightforward in most desktop systems.

How loud is the drive in normal use?
The drive uses WhisperDrive and IntelliSeek technologies to minimize noise, running near the threshold of human hearing in typical conditions.

Is this drive suitable as a system boot drive?
It can be used as a boot drive and offers faster performance than 5400 RPM drives, but an SSD will provide noticeably faster boot and app load times.