Harddisk choice

I don't know too much about harddisks, so my apologies in advance if this question is stupid...


Anyway, I am about to buy a notebook with the following harddisk:

• '300GB S-ATA 4200RPM'

Now I do have the option to replace this harddisk with one of the following harddisks:

• '160GB S-ATA 7200RPM'
• '250GB S-ATA 5400RPM'
• '200GB S-ATA 7200RPM'
• '320GB S-ATA 5400RPM'

Two questions:

1. At first I wanted to take the 160GB because I thought it's faster, but then a friend told me that the 200GB is faster for some reason. Is this true?
2. Does the '200GB S-ATA 7200RPM' get noticeably hotter than the '300GB S-ATA 4200RPM'?

 

Hard disk performance depends on two main factors: (i) Spin speed (rpm) - the faster the better because less delay for the data to reach the head; and (ii) data density - the higher the density then the more data can pass through the head in a given time.

7200rpm will always be slightly faster for access time but the 320GB 5400rpm HDDs can match or better the data transfer rates for 200GB 7200rpm. The 320GB performance can also apply to members of the same family with the same data density, for example 160GB on one platter.

That 300GB drive is probably the slowest of your selection. You can compare performance and power consumption at Tom's Hardware. More power means more heat. 7200rpm usually needs a little more power but the difference isn't much with the latest HDDs.

John

 

Just adding this: don't get the 4200rpm HDD.

Get the 200GB 7200rpm or the 320GB 5400rpm, depends also on the price difference between those two.

 

Yeah, if space is not a problem, then go in for the cheaper one between the 200GB, 7200RPM and 320GB, 5400RPM

 

Actually, the price of the '200GB S-ATA 7200RPM' and of the '320GB S-ATA 5400RPM' are exactly the same! What's the better 'bang for the buck'?

Since 200GB is far enough space for me, which one would you advise me to get? I'd prefer the one resulting in the least heat (and fan noise). Or is the difference between them really small?

 

Go for the 320 GB I'd say. You won't feel the battery life/noise/heat difference.

 

Getting back to the list of options I have:

• '300GB S-ATA 4200RPM'
• '160GB S-ATA 7200RPM'
• '250GB S-ATA 5400RPM'
• '200GB S-ATA 7200RPM'
• '320GB S-ATA 5400RPM'

Since I thus don't need a lot of space, I was wondering, would the '250GB S-ATA 5400RPM' maybe be a better choice than the '320GB S-ATA 5400RPM'? Is the only difference between these two HDDs the space, or is the '250GB S-ATA 5400RPM' also slower?

 

The 250GB is a bit slower than the 320GB because of the lower data density however, it is still a good performer. Your choice as to whether you want the best performance or save a little money. Whatever you get now, there will be something significantly faster in a year's time.

John

 

@ John Ratsey,

Would you advise the '200GB S-ATA 7200RPM' or the '320GB S-ATA 5400RPM', knowing that even 200GB is already for too much for my needs? (hence the only considerations should be speed and heat/noise)

 

The 320Gb 5400rpm drive is identical in speed to the 200Gb 7200 rpm drive.

I would go with the 320Gb drive, since it is usually a bit cheaper and hey you get an extra 120gb of storage.

The 320gb drive vibrates less and is generally quieter than any 7200rpm drive.
The 320gb drive should also run cooler cause of the decreased spindle speed of the drive.

If its a big price jump between the 250gb 5400 and the 320gb 5400, go with the 250, it will still have more than enough performance for the average user.

just do not get a 4200rpm drive.

K-TRON

 

I would still suggest the 320 5400rpm HDD, considering a possible re-sell of the laptop after a few years. HDD space it's never enough.

Just as an observation: don't know why they still sell the 4200rpm hdds. They are really really slow.

 

Guys, thanks a lot for your insights here!!