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    4200RPM or 5400 RPM 2.5" portable drive USB 2.0?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by hirush, May 17, 2008.

  1. hirush

    hirush Notebook Evangelist

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    I know that portable drive is hindered by USB 2.0 interface but do I need to go for 5400rpm hard drive than 4200rpm hard drive?

    250GB 2.5" 4200rpm for $79.99

    320GB 2.5" 5400 RPM for $149.99

    which is better deal? Thanks in adnvace.

    EDIT: I just need portable drive for back up purpose. Still I would opt for faster hard drive speed if it's not capped by USB 2.0 interface.
     
    hirush, May 17, 2008
    #1
  2. Bchen06

    Bchen06 Notebook Consultant

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    I would just go for the 5400, there's no fun in wishing that you should've gotten the faster drive later; I'm not sure about external drives but 4200 to 5400 made a pretty big difference in the performance of my old laptop. Also, I'm assuming that the 320gb is sata cause I don't think they sell IDEs that big so I would recommend getting an enclosure with usb and esata.
     
    Bchen06, May 17, 2008
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  3. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    jin07, May 17, 2008
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  4. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    The 4200 rpm drive will be able to output 25mb/sec so USB would still be the bottleneck. The only downfall of getting the 4200rpm drive, is that if you decide to put it into your laptop, it will be much slower than the 5400rpm drive.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 17, 2008
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  5. Bchen06

    Bchen06 Notebook Consultant

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    Actually, I've gotten 35MBps speeds with 5400rpm drives over USB
     
    Bchen06, May 17, 2008
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