Adjusting hard drive temperature

splatterdash · 2012-08-18 14:41:39

I've been having a noticeable issue, possibly related to my hard drive lately.

It somehow feels hotter than usual, after some period of usage. The period varies between 5-40 minutes (rough guess), but I always feel that it is hotter than usual. I did a hddtemp and it says that it's running at 55oC. I don't know if this is normal, but everytime the hard disk feels hot, my computer becomes slower. I usually let it sleep or turn it off, and after it cools again the slowness stops. I thought this was an issue with my HDD, but it doesn't happen when I boot into Windows.

Now my question is: should I be worried? Is it possible to perhaps adjust the HDD temperature (e.g. by setting the spin?)?

Btw, I'm running Arch on a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge 14, using a custom Western Digital 750 GB Hard Disk

graysky · 2012-08-18 14:45:42

55C is hotter than I have ever seen... worst for me was a 7200 RPM desktop drive in a horribly cramped case which was 45C. Dunno about the operating specs for your particular HDD. Could be fine. What is the model? Did you google for the model-specific specs?

splatterdash · 2012-08-18 14:54:25

It's Western Digital's 750 GB Scorpio Black. Here's the spec (unofficial): http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/ha … iew-2.html

It does say that the normal temperature range is 40-60oC. The reason I'm a bit worried is that I do feel a considerable lag when the temperature gets hot and it goes away after the heat dissipates. Perhaps someone is experiencing a similar issue?

rwd · 2012-08-24 19:34:05

You could check for processes causing excessive i/o with 'iotop -oPa', check the drive-health with smartmontools, and adjust powersaving features of the drive with hdparm. Be careful with hdparm though.

Last edited by rwd (2012-08-24 19:35:10)

graysky · 2012-08-24 20:46:46

My money is on poor ventilation.

rwd · 2012-08-25 06:48:19

spraying some air duster inside the case (especially the fan area) would be a good idea.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-08-18 14:41:39

Adjusting hard drive temperature

#2 2012-08-18 14:45:42

Re: Adjusting hard drive temperature

#3 2012-08-18 14:54:25

Re: Adjusting hard drive temperature

#4 2012-08-24 19:34:05

Re: Adjusting hard drive temperature

#5 2012-08-24 20:46:46

Re: Adjusting hard drive temperature

#6 2012-08-25 06:48:19

Re: Adjusting hard drive temperature

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