[GTac02]

My friend's PC has the latest 2600k, 8gb mem, SSD + 1TB HDD, 1000W PSU etc. This PC however has been driving us nuts with a random "stuttering" problem while playing music for example, or mouse freeze when simply browsing the internet.
At first we thought it was his CPU overheating so we got good cooling for it. Recently it seems like it is the 1TB HDD because when MP3s are played from the SSD there's no stuttering, but when you play an MP3 from the 1TB and watch HD_TUNE Pro you see it dip down coinciding with the random stutter.
I am still not 100% on it however and seeing how expensive HDDs are now Id like to be more certain. He already bought a new HDD but there's still chance to return it if this isn't it.

I did run an experiment where I unplugged the 1TB and ran only SSD and it didnt stutter but didnt do it for more than an HR is this enough evidence?

Thanks.

[trekky]

that would sound like the HDD

if you are going to throw it out i would not mind having it, i would be will to pay shipping 2

[Needitcooler]

Run a diagnostics tool on the HDD to make sure there are no bad sectors.

I like the WD tool - http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...upid=606&sid=3

[thideras]

Since you have HDTune installed, check the Health tab for any abnormal values. I would replace the data cable, try another SATA port and try the drive in another computer before declaring it faulty; unless there are obvious failures reported by SMART (spin up failure, raw read error).