File Copy Test
File Copy Test is a pseudo-real-world benchmark that times how long it takes to create, read, and copy files in various test patterns. File copying is tested twice: once with the source and target on the same partition, and once with the target on a separate partition. Scores are presented in MB/s.

Western Digital's 500GB Caviars turn in an impressive performance in FC-Test's file creation tests, where they're beaten only by the latest Raptors, and then only in three of five test patterns. Note that the SE16 has the advantage in the Windows and Programs test patterns, which favor a greater number of smaller files, while the RE2 performs better with MP3, Install, and ISO test patterns that favor a smaller number of larger files.

These drives aren't quite as impressive when we move to read tests, where the 500GB RE2 and SE16 are generally slower than Seagate's Barracuda 7200.10. Interestingly, the RE2 has a slight edge over the SE16 just about across the board.

Copy tests combine read and write operations, and the RE2 again proves a little faster than the SE16 through each test pattern. However, the Raptors and the Barracuda 7200.10 perform better still.