I think you're just fine. Can always be cooler, but that doesn't mean there's a problem.

Hi,

The WD 1001FALS data sheet is available here in PDF format:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/?id=120&type=8

It lists the maximum operating temperature as 60c.

Best regards,

- Bob

The StickWorks
http://www.stickworks.com

Samsung also specifies a mximum of 60°C, but that doesn't mean such a high temperature is desirable at all.

As a rule of thumb, everything above 45°C should be cooled down.

My personal rule is, if an HDD goes above 40°C I take measures to get better cooling.

Keep in mind, too cold is also not good. Anything about 30°C is perfectly fine.

Hi Purolator,

Cooler is always better of course. I'd point out that the rating in the data sheet is "environmental", not the drive temperature itself. It's specified to operate in 60c air and they're saying it will operate at whatever device temperature that results in. The drive dissipates 10 watts or so according to the sheet, so it will operate safely somewhere above that, it's heating itself. When it's the device itself they're spec'ing, CPUs for example, it's not an "environmental" spec. It will be "Case Temperature" or something like that.

As for rules of thumb, back when I was designing hardware and not just sloughing off typing software, the "rule of thumb" was that, on average, the life of the component approximately doubled for every 10 degrees C reduction in device temperature, so as long as you didn't reach a temperature that was actually destructive, it was really a tradeoff between how long you needed it to work and how much you were willing to spend to cool it down.

Anyway, if your drive temperature is down in the 40s or even low 50s, I doubt you're really doing anything that's likely to cause it any harm.

Best regards,

- Bob

The StickWorks
http://www.stickworks.com

Thanks for the replies. I guess it is fine for now, or should be until I can mount my 120mm/replace the GTX 260.