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    Hard Drives

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by DanG, Jun 24, 2006.

  1. DanG

    DanG Notebook Consultant

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    When dell say "80GB Sata Hard Drive," does that mean its 5400 rpm?
     
  2. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    Huh, usually the speed of the drive will be listed in the options. How much does the HD cost for deductions sake?
     
  3. DanG

    DanG Notebook Consultant

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    Thats the thing, it isnt listed. It costs 50 less than a 60 gb 700 rom hd. Try configuring a E1405, you will see it.
     
  4. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    If it is a 7200rpm, it will say it in the something like 60gb 7200rpm. All others are assumed to be 5400rpm drives.
     
  5. DanG

    DanG Notebook Consultant

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    If I am getting a E1405 would the 7200 rpm hd make much difference?
     
  6. j4y_7

    j4y_7 Notebook Consultant

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  7. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

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    yes it would, it would make the computer a lot faster as a whole. But you get that at the cost of heat and a 7200 rpm drive really does eat up the battery.
     
  8. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Actually it depends on your configuration. If you have a faster/higher CPU, then it would probably help out. If you have a lower/slower CPU, then it you probably wouldn't make a difference.

    As far as if you would notice it or not, you probably wouldn't if you have never worked with a 5400rpm drive. Those that have experience with 5400rpm, usually can tell the difference when they upgrade.

    Personally, i don't think the 7200 gives out very much heat and uses more battery life than the 5400. If it does, I would think that it is minimal amount. My ram slots are hotter than the rest of the laptop, so the hdd feels cool to me.
     
  9. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    It really depends on what your doing if your going to see a difference between a 5400 and 7200RPM drive. If you edit large video files, the load times will be quicker with the 7200RPM drive. Loading software, or searching for things on your HD, 7200RPM again. But if your just browsing the web, using word, chatting, you will never notice a difference. So, it really depends on the individual user as to if it would be a worth while upgrade.
     
  10. toga

    toga Notebook Guru

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    yea I think the 5400 rpm drive is better because I just surf the web, word, Counterstrike condition zero, music, movies. Once I load all the software when I get it I wont be loading stuff after that.
     
  11. j4y_7

    j4y_7 Notebook Consultant

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    Well, it's definitely NOT better than a 7200 RPM drive, but it IS more cost-efficient. When I configured my notebook, I personally went with a 100GB 5400 RPM drive instead of a 60GB 7200 RPM drive. The 100GB 5400 RPM drive was also ~$10 cheaper.