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Hello, I have just purchased the western digital WD3200AAKS harddrive from Newegg and I assume it is an OEM product because it just came in a static free bag and nothing else. However it didn't say OEM or refurbished on the site when I bought it so I am not sure if all of the HDs come this way. Anyway, I noticed on the harddrive that there was no pin connector on the HD's pins. It has been years since I have replaced a harddrive so I wanted to ask if this is no longer necessary so is that why the little plastic connector isn't there? Or is it just missing? Thanks!
It's an SATA drive so there is usually no need for a jumper since Master/Slave settings do not apply. Some drives still have a jumper but it would be a size limiter and not a Master/Slave switch.
I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.
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Newegg's site does specify that the drive is OEM. Some SATA II drives have a jumper that allows you to limit the drive to SATA I speeds, should your SATA controller need that option. If there are pins on the back that is most likely what they are for. If you need to set a jumper I would guess the jumper itself would be a standard part. You probably have some lying around.
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the jumpers on the back of the drive is for SSC, if no jumpers are on drive then it has SSC on and is ready to go for performance.
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SSC aka spread spectrum clocking is not limited to HDDs alone. Over at the overclocking forum, it is one of a handful of options that is emphasized to have turned off for optimal performance.
"Spread spectrum clocking (SSC), also known as clock dithering, is a widely accepted and utilized method of reducing electromagnetic emissions to meet regulatory requirements. By intentionally spreading the energy of the clock harmonics into a band several megahertz wide, the amplitude of the radiated signals can be decreased by factors as high as 20 dB. Unfortunately some members of the radio and telecommunications industries (as well as the EMC community) view this technique as a "cheat". It has been claimed that the reduction in emissions gained by the use of SSC does not translate to a lower probability of interference, and that accordingly, devices that use clock dithering should adhere to stricter regulations."
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Thanks for that Sabertooth. I was aware of Spread Spectrum but didn't know it had anything to do with harddrives. Do you know how this relates to drives, if it in fact does?
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"some members of the radio and telecommunications industries (as well as the EMC community) view this technique as a "cheat"."
I'm no electronics expert, but I've always thought of it as that myself. And this "spreading" can also contribute to instability, which is why it's generally recommended to disable it...especially when overclocking.
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Yup....
Furthermore, the deal with SSC is not so much about what is disclosed but also was is generally omitted, viz-a-viz regulatory compliance as it applies to FCC's broad hardware (not excluding the HDD) EMI testing & certification. Specifically; Title 47, Part 15, Subpart B which clearly prohibits the advertising or sale of any product regulated under Part 15, Subpart B until their radiated & conducted emissions have been measured & found to be in compliance.
As to how it effects HDDs, I have yet to see a cumulative & comparative EMI data that's compelling enough support the need to have SSC enabled at all times.
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I haven't seen any perfomance gain with SSC, but WD has it turned on automatilcally and I just leave it the way it comes from factory myself.
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