st3250312as → Обява 50490794

Let's break this down:

Part 1: The Specific Model - ST3250312AS

1. Model Number Deconstruction:
   

   • ST:Seagate Technology
     

   • 3:3.5-inch form factor
     

   • 250:250 GB capacity (approximate)
     

   • 3:Cache size indicator (often needs lookup, in this case, likely 8MB based on common configurations for this model number pattern and generation, though 16MB variants sometimes existed under slightly different model numbers or for specific OEMs).Correction: For the 7200.12 series, the '3' typically indicates a 1-platter design with a specific cache size, usually 8MB for this capacity.
     

   • 1:Number of platters (often). This model uses1 platter.
     

   • 2:Generation or series indicator. This points to theBarracuda 7200.12generation.
     

   • AS:SATA interface, Standard (consumer) model.
     

2. Key Specifications (ST3250312AS):
   

   • Family:Barracuda 7200.12
     

   • Capacity:250 GB
     

   • Interface:SATA 3.0Gb/s (SATA II)
     

   • Spindle Speed:7200 RPM
     

   • Cache Buffer:8 MB (most common for this specific model)
     

   • Form Factor:3.5-inch
     

   • Platters/Heads:1 platter, 2 heads
     

   • Areal Density:Approx. 329 Gbits/sq. inch
     

   • Average Latency:4.16 ms
     

   • Typical Power Consumption:
     

     • Seek: ~5.0W
       

     • Idle: ~3.65W (this could vary based on firmware and power saving features)
       

     • Standby/Sleep: ~0.8W
       

   • Acoustics (typical):
     

     • Idle: ~2.5 bels
       

     • Seek: ~2.7 bels
       

   • Native Command Queuing (NCQ):Yes
     

   • Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR):Yes
     

Part 2: The Barracuda 7200.12 Model Lineup (Siblings)

The Barracuda 7200.12 series was a significant mainstream desktop HDD family for Seagate, released around 2009. It was the successor to the somewhat infamous Barracuda 7200.11 series (which had notable firmware issues). The 7200.12 aimed to improve reliability and performance.

Common Features Across the 7200.12 Lineup:

• Spindle Speed:7200 RPM
  

• Interface:SATA 3.0Gb/s
  

• Technology:Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR)
  

• NCQ:Supported
  

• Seagate SmartAlign Technology:Some later models or firmware revisions might have included this for advanced format (4K sector) drives, though early 7200.12 drives were typically 512-byte native. The "AS" models were generally 512n.
  

• Firmware:While firmware versions would differ across specific models and revisions (e.g., CCxx, JCxx), the underlying firmware architecture and feature set would be very similar for drives within this generation.
  

Known Models in the Barracuda 7200.12 Series (representative list, not exhaustive as OEM variants existed):

• ST3160318AS:160GB, 8MB Cache, 1 Platter
  

• ST3250312AS:250GB, 8MB Cache, 1 Platter (our target model)
  

• ST3250318AS:250GB, 8MB Cache, 1 Platter (often very similar, slight variations)
  

• ST3320418AS:320GB, 16MB Cache, 1 Platter
  

• ST3500412AS:500GB, 16MB Cache, 1 Platter (very popular model)
  

• ST3500418AS:500GB, 16MB Cache, 1 Platter
  

• ST3750528AS:750GB, 32MB Cache, 2 Platters
  

• ST31000522AS / ST31000524AS / ST31000528AS:1TB (1000GB), 32MB Cache, 2 Platters (522AS and 524AS were common, 528AS might have slight differences or be an OEM variant. The ST31000524AS was a very widely adopted 1TB model from this generation.)
  

There were also "LP" (Low Power, 5900 RPM) versions in a parallel series, like the Barracuda LP, but the 7200.12 were strictly 7200 RPM.

Part 3: Firmware, Mechanics, and Shared Features

• Firmware:
  

  • The 7200.12 series generally had more stable firmware than its predecessor, the 7200.11. Common firmware prefixes included "CC" (e.g., CC35, CC38, CC46, CC49) and "JC" (e.g., JC45, JC4B).
    

  • Firmware updates were sometimes released to address specific bugs, improve compatibility, or enhance performance/reliability. These were typically found on Seagate's support website.
    

  • Key firmware features would include S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology), NCQ, power management (like APM - Advanced Power Management, and potentially EPC - Extended Power Conditions).
    

• Mechanics:
  

  • Platters:Made of aluminum or glass substrate, coated with magnetic layers. The 7200.12 series focused on increasing areal density, allowing for fewer platters for a given capacity. The ST3250312AS uses a single platter.
    

  • Heads:Flying ~5-10 nanometers above the platter surface, using GMR (Giant Magnetoresistive) or TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistive) read heads.
    

  • Actuator Arm:Moves the heads across the platters. Controlled by a voice coil motor (VCM).
    

  • Spindle Motor:Rotates the platters at 7200 RPM. Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) motors were standard for quiet operation and longevity.
    

  • Controller Board (PCB):Contains the main controller SoC (System on a Chip), RAM cache, motor controller chip, and SATA interface. The SoC handles data encoding/decoding, error correction (ECC), servo control, and communication with the host.
    

• Shared Featureset (beyond basic specs):
  

  • Seagate AcuTrac™ technology:Designed to improve tracking accuracy even in challenging environments (vibration, etc.), leading to better reliability and performance.
    

  • Seagate OptiCache™ technology:An advanced caching algorithm that aimed to boost performance beyond just the size of the DRAM cache, by optimizing how data flows through the cache and to the platters.
    

  • Seagate DiscWizard™ software:Often bundled or available for download, allowing for drive cloning, partitioning, and diagnostics.
    

Part 4: Datasheets, PDFs, Official Documents

Finding original datasheets for models

1. Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA Product Manual:
   

   • This is the jackpot. A good search query is "Barracuda 7200.12 Product Manual PDF".
     

   • Example (links might die over time, but these are the types of documents):
     

     • 
       

       I found a comprehensive one:
       
       
       
       seagate com/files/staticfiles/support/docs/manual/desktop/Barracuda%207200.12%20SATA/100529369k.pdf
       
       (This is Product Manual, Rev. K, for Barracuda 7200.12 SATA)
       

     • This manual covers: ST31000528AS, ST3750528AS, ST3500418AS, ST3320418AS, ST3250318AS, ST3160318AS. While your exactST3250312AS isn't listed by that number, the ST3250318AS is its extremely close sibling (likely differing only in minor revisions or specific OEM targeting, specs are virtually identical). The ST3250312AS is often grouped with these.
       

   • Key info from such a manual:
     

     • Detailed specifications for all models in the family.
       

     • Interface commands (ATA/ATAPI).
       

     • Power requirements.
       

     • Reliability specifications (MTBF, AFR).
       

     • Physical and environmental specifications.
       

     • Jumper settings (if any, though rare on modern SATA).
       

2. Seagate Knowledge Base / Support Site (Archive Search):
   

   • Use Seagate's support site and try model numbers. Sometimes older documents are still accessible. Wayback Machine (archive.org) can also be useful if you know old URLs.
     

3. Third-Party Datasheet Aggregators:
   

   • Sites like datasheetarchive.com, alldatasheet.com might have copies, but always try to verify with an official source if possible.
     

From the linked Product Manual (100529369k.pdf), for the ST3250318AS (closest listed to ST3250312AS):

• Formatted capacity:250 Gbytes
  

• Guaranteed sectors:488,397,168
  

• Heads:2
  

• Discs:1
  

• Bytes per sector:512
  

• Default sectors per track:63
  

• Default read/write heads:16
  

• Default cylinders:16,383
  

• Recording density (max):1365 Kbpi
  

• Track density (avg):329 Ktracks/in
  

• Areal density (avg):329 Gb/in²
  

• Spindle speed:7200 rpm
  

• Internal data transfer rate (max):1695 Mbits/sec
  

• Sustained data transfer rate (OD):Up to 125 Mbytes/sec
  

• I/O data-transfer rate (max):300 Mbytes/sec (SATA 3Gb/s)
  

• Cache buffer:8 Mbytes (for ST3250318AS)
  

• Average latency:4.16 ms
  

• Power-on to ready (typ):< 10 sec (for 250GB)
  

• MTBF (power-on hours):750,000 hours
  

• Annualized Failure Rate (AFR):0.34% (This is anexpectedAFR under specific conditions, real-world can vary).
  

Part 7: How is this model better than other comparable storage options?

"Better" is relative to the time of its release (circa 2009-2010)and thespecific comparison point.

Compared to its Predecessor (Seagate Barracuda 7200.11):

• MUCH Better Reliability:This was the main selling point. The 7200.11 had severe firmware issues. The 7200.12 was significantly more stable.
  

• Higher Areal Density:This generally leads to better sequential performance (more data under the head per revolution) and allowed for fewer platters (e.g., 1TB on 2 platters vs. 3-4 on older models). The ST3250312AS being a single-platter 250GB drive was efficient for its time.
  

Compared to Contemporary Competitors (e.g., WD Caviar Blue/Black 250GB, Samsung SpinPoint F1/F3 250GB, Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B/C 250GB):

• Performance:
  

  • The Barracuda 7200.12 series, thanks to its areal density and OptiCache, was generally competitive and often a top performer in sequential read/write speeds for its class.
    

  • Its single-platter design (for the 250GB model) meant fewer moving parts and potentially slightly faster seek times compared to multi-platter drives of the same capacity if those existed (though 250GB was often single platter across brands by then).
    

  • WD Caviar Black drives of the era often focused on performance and longer warranties, sometimes edging out the Barracudas in certain benchmarks but at a higher price. WD Caviar Blue were direct competitors.
    

  • Samsung SpinPoint F1 and later F3 series were also strong performers, known for quiet operation and good speed.
    

  • Hitachi drives were often lauded for reliability.
    

• Features:
  

  • Most drives in this class offered SATA 3Gb/s, NCQ, and similar cache sizes (8MB or 16MB for 250-500GB models).
    

  • Seagate's AcuTrac and OptiCache were marketing terms for their specific implementations of head tracking and caching algorithms, which they claimed gave them an edge.
    

• Reliability:
  

  • This is subjective and hard to quantify without large-scale, long-term studies from that exact period. All brands had occasional problematic batches or models.
    

  • Post-7200.11, Seagate was working hard to rebuild its reputation, so the 7200.12 was engineered with that in mind. Anecdotally, it was a solid series.
    

• Price:
  

  • Seagate Barracudas were typically competitively priced, often offering a good balance of performance and cost for mainstream users.
    

• Power Consumption & Acoustics:
  

  • Single-platter designs like the ST3250312AS generally consumed less power and were quieter than multi-platter designs. The 7200.12 series was reasonably good in this regard.
    

Conclusion on ST3250312AS:

The Seagate ST3250312AS, as part of the Barracuda 7200.12 family, is a solid, mainstream 250GB desktop hard drive for its time (roughly 2009-2011). It represented a return to form for Seagate in terms of reliability after the 7200.11 debacle. It offered competitive performance, leveraging a single-platter design for good efficiency and acoustics at its capacity point.