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    which hard drive is better/faster?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by hmmmmm, Sep 7, 2006.

  1. hmmmmm

    hmmmmm Notebook Deity

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    if both these hard drives cost the same, which would be better/faster/the one you'd buy

    a) a 120 gb 5400 rpm hd

    or

    b) 60 gb 7200 rpm hd?

    thanks
     
    hmmmmm, Sep 7, 2006
    #1
  2. Jeff Coleman

    Jeff Coleman Notebook Evangelist

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    well, it's hard to say, the 120GB has 8MB cache, so it's not nearly as bad as the standard 60-100GB 5400 drives. I chose the 120GB because of the size, 8MB cache, and fact that it won't stress my battery as much as a 7200.
     
    Jeff Coleman, Sep 7, 2006
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The 7200RPM hard drives do not stress battery any more than 5400RPM drives, that is a common misconception. See this thread:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=59053

    60GB 7200RPM drives have an 8MB cache. Even though the platters on the 120GB drive are denser, the 60GB 7200RPM is still the faster drive. However, you're talking half the capacity . . decide what you need.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Sep 7, 2006
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  4. stevenator128

    stevenator128 Notebook Evangelist

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    if youre a typical user, the 7200rpm would give better performance. i personally only use 20 or 30gb of my hard drive even with all of my music and programs.
     
    stevenator128, Sep 7, 2006
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  5. Leshii

    Leshii Notebook Evangelist

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    I would pick the 7200RPM drive myself, because HD speed is what's important to me. 60GB would be enough too. If you think that will be big enough for you then I'd suggest 7200RPM drive.
     
    Leshii, Sep 7, 2006
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  6. hmmmmm

    hmmmmm Notebook Deity

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    thanks for the replies
     
    hmmmmm, Sep 7, 2006
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  7. burningrave101

    burningrave101 Notebook Deity

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    The 60GB 7200rpm will have faster seek times but the 120GB 5400rpm will have a higher sustained transfer rate. You will be lucky to notice any performance difference between the two in real world tasks. You will notice the 60GB difference in storage space. The 7200rpm drive is going to be louder as well.

    http://www.laptoplogic.com/reviews/detail.php?id=104&part=full
     
    burningrave101, Sep 7, 2006
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  8. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    speed = 60gb 7.2k

    storage(and slightly slower) = 120gb 5.4k

    Which do you need? I dont see much difference at all from my wifes 7200rpm 16mb cache hdd from my 120gb 5400rpm 8mb cache lapy hdd. Granted if I were to bench mark the 2 hers would stomp all over mine. But in real world applications there is little to no difference. So you have to ask yourself, which do you need, every ounce of speed or massive laptop storage?
     
    Thaenatos, Sep 8, 2006
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