Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB (WD5000AAKS)

The  Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB (WD5000AAKS), now part of the blue series, is a hard disk drive for use within a closed computer system. Similar to the WD5000KS, the 5000AAKS features 1 less platter, with higher density platters for improvement in speed and heat output. Featuring 500GB of capacity, a 16MB cache and a 7200RPM spindle speed, the WD5000AAKS provides good balanced performance while maintaining low noise levels and manageable temperatures. As of late 2008, the 5000AAKS represents a good price:performance point for budget PC construction: featuring high performance and a fairly standard capacity - enough for a wide variety of programs and media.

Where to Buy

Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB (WD5000KS)
MSRP$74.99
Release date --
love it
want it
have it
tag it
Pros & Cons5
Reviews2
Details
Buy It8
Competitors
Comments1
twitter

Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
2 reviews
78
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
good speed upgrade over the 5000KS
+2agreedisagree

filter 09/20/2008 agreed Yale*
filter 02/17/2009 agreed Darkstriker
really quiet, no heat issues
+2agreedisagree

filter 09/20/2008 agreed Yale*
filter 02/17/2009 agreed Darkstriker
great warranty, Western Digital really steps up when it comes to service/replacement
+2agreedisagree

filter 09/20/2008 agreed Yale*
filter 02/17/2009 agreed Darkstriker
high reliability
+1agreedisagree

filter 02/17/2009 agreed Darkstriker*
Cons:
Do you agree?
today the 6400AAKS represents better value (for 10 dollars more you get 2 platters with higher capacity, allowing for lower thermals and noise while improving speed and stability)
+2agreedisagree

filter 09/20/2008 agreed Yale*
filter 02/17/2009 agreed Darkstriker

* original submitter

Details

Features

  • Capacity: 3 x 160GB platters (vs 4 x 125GB in the 5000KS)
  • Cache: 16MB
  • Interface: SATA II
  • Speed: 7200RPM
  • Dimensions & Weight: 147 x 101.6 x 25.4 (LWH), 1.4 pounds
  • Warranty: 3 years

 

Submit a link

This report was started September 20, 2008 at 2:29 am by Yale
with the last edit occurring February 17, 2009 at 12:59 pm by Darkstriker
This page has been viewed 1713 times, with 18 edits by 2 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB (WD5000AAKS)

• Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD5000AAKS

• 500GB CAVIAR SATA II 7200 RPM

UPC: 718037720302

EAN: 718037720302

MPN: WD5000AAKS

Competitors

There aren't any competitors listed here yet.

Suggest a new competitor to add to the list of competing products.
If the product hasn't yet been added to ProductWiki, submitting it here will also start the product report.

Comments

1.  avatar Yale said:

Bought this drive in October 2007 for $100. I've been using my older 2500JB (250GB) so it sat in my PC pretty much unused until recently when I attempted to install Vista. The drive failed then, and even though I was able to get XP installed on it SMART had been tripped and alerted me the drive was facing imminent failure. RMA'd it just over a week ago and received an upgrade (7500AAKS) tonight, for only the cost of shipping to Western Digital! My 2500JB has lasted ages, and after such a positive RMA experience I have no problems or sour feelings! Will continue to buy WD into the future.
Sep 20, 2008 2:40am
Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..

Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Darkstriker

avatar
February 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
1 con
love itlove it
have ithave it

Pros

  • good speed upgrade over the 5000KS
  • really quiet, no heat issues
  • great warranty, Western Digital really steps up when it comes to service/replacement
  • high reliability

Cons

  • today the 6400AAKS represents better value (for 10 dollars more you get 2 platters with higher capacity, allowing for lower thermals and noise while improving speed and stability)

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
September 20, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
1 con

Pros

  • good speed upgrade over the 5000KS
  • really quiet, no heat issues
  • great warranty, Western Digital really steps up when it comes to service/replacement

Cons

  • today the 6400AAKS represents better value (for 10 dollars more you get 2 platters with higher capacity, allowing for lower thermals and noise while improving speed and stability)

Comments

"Bought this drive in October 2007 for $100. I've been using my older 2500JB (250GB) so it sat in my PC pretty much unused until recently when I attempted to install Vista. The drive failed then, and even though I was able to get XP installed on it SMART had been tripped and alerted me the drive was facing imminent failure. RMA'd it just over a week ago and received an upgrade (7500AAKS) tonight, for only the cost of shipping to Western Digital! My 2500JB has lasted ages, and after such a positive RMA experience I have no problems or sour feelings! Will continue to buy WD into the future."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Twitter

- join or start the conversation

... Loading for latest tweets from search.twitter.com..

tweetie

sponsored by:
Price comparison information by:

This product is also known as:

SE, 16, SE16, 500, GB, 500GB, (WD, 5000, AAKS, (WD5000, 5000AAKS, (WD5000AAKS