The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    5400 RPM or 7200 RPM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by unknowntt, Jan 2, 2008.

  1. unknowntt

    unknowntt Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm sure this question has been asked in the past, but if you compare 5400 RPM with 7200 RPM, are you gonna notice a difference? Well I'm assuming there is a big difference, but could some of you give me some numbers/other evidence? What's gonna be different/faster? Is it worth the upgrade considering it costs more per gigabyte (costs more and yet gives you less space).
     
    unknowntt, Jan 2, 2008
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    There are already threads comparing transfer rates of 5400 and 7200RPM drives. I personally can tell a difference, but the newer 5400RPM drives are seem to be closing the gap performance wise somewhat. The 80GB Toshiba drive I had on the F560 seemed pretty decent for a 5400RPM drive.
     
    ZaZ, Jan 2, 2008
    #2
  3. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    7,101
    Messages:
    5,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Has been asked and answered many times. A lot of opinion on what is better. No absolute answer especially if you compare larger 5400 to a smaller 7200.
     
    powerpack, Jan 2, 2008
    #3
  4. unknowntt

    unknowntt Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    So then what's the actual difference? I guess I'm not really understanding...
     
    unknowntt, Jan 2, 2008
    #4
  5. skywalker

    skywalker Business Notebook FTW!!

    Reputations:
    100
    Messages:
    2,126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yeah, you could use search option for sure. But for quick answer, 7200 would boot up OS faster. For heavy video editing, go with 7200rpm. Games would take advantage from 7200 HDD, but not too much. For office apps, internet browsing, daily tasks, the difference is negligible.
    A 7200 HDD will drain battery little faster and yield more heat.
    If you dont mind with those and have budget, go with 7200rpm HDD.
    Hope this helps.
     
    skywalker, Jan 2, 2008
    #5
  6. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

    Reputations:
    1,904
    Messages:
    3,374
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    ^^that only applies if you're comparing two drives of the same size. A larger 5400 RPM drive can perform the same as a smaller 7200 RPM drive.
     
    fabarati, Jan 2, 2008
    #6
  7. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    ZaZ, Jan 2, 2008
    #7
  8. unknowntt

    unknowntt Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Awesome thanks guys I think I get it now.

    Thanks!
     
    unknowntt, Jan 3, 2008
    #8