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    7200 RPM HD: Can it be brought down to 5400?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by adpirz, Jul 3, 2006.

  1. adpirz

    adpirz Notebook Consultant

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    This might be a stupid question, but is it possible to get a 7200 RPM drive to run at 5400 RPM? Just an energy-saving question.
     
    adpirz, Jul 3, 2006
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  2. gilo

    gilo Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Only if you send it to me and I'll send you back a 5400 RPM one ;)

    OR

    You could go to power settings and choose to park the power it down when not in use .

    However I don't think there is much diff between 5400 and 7200's power consumption , they make them so good now days my 7k60 is cooler then older 4200 Hitachi and probably more efficent .
     
    gilo, Jul 3, 2006
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  3. Isotope12

    Isotope12 Notebook Enthusiast

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    There isn't much difference at all with power consumption. To my knowledge though - it is not possible to make a 7200 run at 5400... gilo was right though to alter the power settings.
     
    Isotope12, Jul 3, 2006
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  4. adpirz

    adpirz Notebook Consultant

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    yea i knew you could park the drive to save battery, but i didn't realize there wasn't too much of a difference in power consumption, learn somethin' new everyday

    gracias, amigos

    but maybe i'll try gilo's first method... :D
     
    adpirz, Jul 3, 2006
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  5. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    You can download Hitachi Feature Tool that allows you to control advanced acoustic and power management. I believe it actuall slows your drive to save power.
     
    RogueMonk, Jul 3, 2006
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  6. tullnd

    tullnd Notebook Evangelist

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    There hasn't been a dramatic difference in power consumption from 5400RPM to 7200RPM since the days of the first IDE 7200RPM 3.5" drives(remember...the ones that required cooling solutions?). It's pretty minimal and not really necessary.

    The programs that help drives operate more "efficiently" are doing more than just spinning them at a slower speed(if even that).
     
    tullnd, Jul 4, 2006
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  7. ez2remember

    ez2remember Notebook Evangelist

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    Remember notebook hard drives only consumes 2-3 watts during use so say for example you can turn it down to 5400rpm it won't much of a difference. For example lets say a 7200rpm consumes 3 watss, at 5400rpm it consumes 2.6w you only save 0.4w which is probably equivalent to a few minutes extra battery life. Not worth it if you know what I mean...
     
    ez2remember, Jul 4, 2006
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  8. ez2remember

    ez2remember Notebook Evangelist

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    I will gladly exchange 5400rpm drive for a 7200rpm if you want to :)
     
    ez2remember, Jul 4, 2006
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