Samsung has replaced its four-platter 2TB disk driven with a three-platter one offering lower power consumption.

The desktop 3.5-inch EcoGreen F4EG drive comes in 1.5TB and 2TB flavours, with a 32MB cache, 3Gbit/s SATA interface, native command queuing and a 5400rpm spin speed. Each platter has a capacity of 667GB, which is matched by Western Digital's Caviar Green 2TB WD20EARS. That drive has a larger 64MB cache.

The 667GB/platter technology would, if used in a standard four-platter, 3.5-inch drive, result in a 2.67TB capacity. Another areal density increase would be needed to reach a 3TB capacity - a simpler and thus more marketing-friendly number.

Samsung says its F4EG draws 23 per cent less power in standby mode than the current 2TB F3EG with its four platters. It will be available in September, priced at $119.99. ®