Western Digital Caviar WD800JB

Western Digital Caviar WD800JB Model Number Capacity WD800JB 80 GB Lowest Real-Time Price: Introduction Over half a year ago Western Digital shook up the ATA world with the introduction of the Caviar WD1000BB Special Edition (later renamed to the Caviar WD1000JB). Featuring an 8-megabyte buffer coupled with firmware aggressively optimized for desktop usage, the 100 GB WD1000JB easily outperformed competitors. When the firm raised the capacity bar with the 120-gig WD1200BB, most assumed that a version with an 8-meg buffer was also in the works. Surely enough, WD1200JB hit the scene.

Many readers lamented the fact that these high-performance drives were only available in gargantuan 100 GB and 120 GB sizes. They found the JB speed very attractive yet wished they could save some money by purchasing a smaller unit. WD, for whatever reason, stuck to offering 8-meg buffers only on flagship units.

Last month, however, the manufacturer announced the Caviar WD800JB, an 80 GB drive featuring an 8-megabyte buffer. The initial announcement implied that, just like the WD800BB, the new drive featured 27 GB platters. This made sense in a way- perhaps Western Digital needed to clear out its inventory of lower-capacity platters and wanted to sweeten its offering by bumping up the buffer. Interestingly, however, all references have changed since then. Specs now indicate a two platter design utilizing contemporary 40-gig platters. This leads us to the company's irritating naming practice. Unlike those of other manufacturers (where one knows that a 120GXP, a D740X, a 'Cuda ATA IV, etc. feature 40-gig platters), WD's drive names don't really indicate the drive's platter capacity. Thus, it's difficult to ensure one's receiving a state-of-the-art unit when purchasing anything but the largest WD drives. On one hand, this is good business sense: most purchasers aren't aware that differing platter capacities can impact performance. On the other, it makes it difficult for savvy groups (say... SR readers) to obtain the product they seek.

The WD800JB features, of course, a 7200 RPM spindle speed. WD specifies seeks at its standard 8.9 milliseconds. Most noteworthy, of course, is the 8-megabyte buffer, a size four times greater than that of the competition.

With the WD800JB, Western Digital targets users who seek the JB series' high-end performance without its high-end capacity. Enthusiasts seeking to wring the last bit of performance out of their rigs predominately compose the target market. A three-year warranty backs the product.

Let's see if the WD800JB lives up to its heritage!