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    5,400 -> 7,200 Overall Gain?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Nrbelex, May 29, 2006.

  1. Nrbelex

    Nrbelex Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    How noticeable is the gain in performance when upgrading from 5,400 to 7,200 RPMs in a hard drive? Is there a market for basically unused hard drives (if, for example the maker only gives a 5,400 option and you want to upgrade)?

    Thanks!
    ~ Brett
     
    Nrbelex, May 29, 2006
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  2. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    There are tons of online stores that sells unused hd. However, you want to search the lowest price. Like me, I got a 80 GB, 5,400 rpm, 16 MB cache for $80. I searched at pricegrabber.com. As for performace, if you just using it for basic stuffs, you hardly notice it.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, May 29, 2006
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  3. Nrbelex

    Nrbelex Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    So the average user won't see a big difference. I was actually talking about my ability to resell it since I would then be stuck with an extra 5,400 RPM drive.

    Thanks!
    ~ Brett
     
    Nrbelex, May 29, 2006
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  4. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Why can you just used the extra hd and used it as an external HD? Its perfect for backing up your stuffs. I am using my old 30 gb hd for that.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, May 29, 2006
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  5. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    bingo. i yanked the 40 GB HD out of my old notebook and am using it as an external drive now.

    you won't make any money selling hardware. not even OEMs make money on hardware.
     
    drumfu, May 29, 2006
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  6. Nrbelex

    Nrbelex Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    I guess if it comes down to it, that's the route I'll take. I even have a hard drive enclosure lying around with an old 14 gig inside. Where does one see the greatest boost in performance when going from 54 to 72?

    Thanks!
    ~ Brett
     
    Nrbelex, May 29, 2006
    #6
  7. mtrivs

    mtrivs Notebook Evangelist

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    mtrivs, May 29, 2006
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  8. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    Boost in performance is seen and felt with disc intensive applications. Your boot time will increase, your load times will increase, and your machine will feel generally faster.

    I find the upgrade to a 7200rpm HD is one of the only upgrades that you can actually feel in everything you do.

    As for selling your existing drive, you would be suprised at the market for used drives. You just have to price it right.
     
    RogueMonk, May 29, 2006
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  9. shadow85

    shadow85 Notebook Evangelist

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    It is said that 16mb of buffer is almost same as 7200 performance with out the heat. hmmm, maybe.
     
    shadow85, May 30, 2006
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  10. factory81

    factory81 Notebook Guru

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    Like said, load a application, boot windows, all that jazz will be a bit faster. If you have been around PC's when they used 5400rpm hard drives commonly and optional 7200rpm hard drives and you made the switch...it will be similar.
    Myself....I need 7200rpm or faster in a desktop.
    In a laptop, depending on the power consumption I would probably opt for a 5400rpm hard drive.
    For instance, if you transfered a 1gb file across a network with a 5400rpm hard drive it could use quite a bit less battery then a 7200rpm.

    Also note it will like other people have said, heat up more.
    This is going to be a problem, a big one. Power consumption vs. heat.
    CPU's need heatsinks atleast...fans 9/10 times.
    Video cards...anything that isn't the low grade graphics will probably have its own fan.
    It is up to you how you go about it.
     
    factory81, Jun 7, 2006
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  11. Darbyjack

    Darbyjack Notebook Evangelist

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    to be honest, there is very little speed difference between 5400rpm and 7200rpm


    my 4200rpm hd is fine for me. loads levels for games such as Quake4 quite fast and also installing large files is fast too
     
    Darbyjack, Jun 7, 2006
    #11
  12. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

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    The best place to get rid of used drives is to send them to me. I will give all drives a good home with lots of TLC. :)
    You can find external 2.5" drive enclosures on ebay for $15-20. I prefer the external solution. Its portable and you dont need a power supply for it. GL
     
    Sykotic, Jun 8, 2006
    #12