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    New hard drives, which is the best route to go out of these 2 ?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by The_Stig, Nov 18, 2008.

  1. The_Stig

    The_Stig Notebook Evangelist

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    Over the last couple of weeks i have been doing some research on which hard drives i should upgrade too, at the moment i have the spec below.

    My laptop is a Sony Vaio AR51SU

    Hard Drives 2 X 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 4200 rpm
    Storage Controller Serial ATA
    The hard drives are: 2 x FUJITSU MHX2250BT
    Its running RAID0

    My main goal is to get a pair of hard drives that are as fast, as quiet and as cool as possible, i will also upgrade the storage while i`m at it. I have read a thread on here where people have said these WD drives are almost as fast as 7200rpm drives, is this true and would my machine run ok with 2 x 500GB drives

    http://www.shop.bt.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=58P6

    The other option i have been looking at are these seagate drives, out of the 2 which will give me the best overall performance and will run quietest with the least heat ?

    http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=57SD
     
    The_Stig, Nov 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Michel.K

    Michel.K 167WAISIQ

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    Michel.K, Nov 18, 2008
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  3. Cheffy

    Cheffy Notebook Evangelist

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    Depends on which 7200 drives. At this time, the 320 GB 7200 drives still outperform the 500 GB 5400s, especially the seagate. With the upcoming 500 GB 7200 drives, this gap will of course grow.

    It really just depends on the price you're willing to spend and how much room you need. The 5400s will be quieter than the 7200s, and possibly slightly cooler (although not much).
     
    Cheffy, Nov 19, 2008
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The WD5000BEVT is a little cheaper at Overclockers. There's no reason why a pair of these wouldn't work. I reckon the maximum power is around 2.6W. Tom's Hardware shows the 7200.3 takes just over 3W so the WD will be a little cooler.

    Perhaps the deciding point is whether you want all that extra space that 500GB offers.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Nov 19, 2008
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  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    If your priority is speed you should go with the Seagate. If you priority is cool and quiet you should go with the WD.

    Things is, no one knows how critical you are, how well the AR will take the extra noise and vibration of the 7200rpm drive and how noisy the specific seagate drives you get will be.

    I recommend buying the Seagates of a shop with a good return policy. If they cause to much noise for you, return them and get the WD.
     
    Phil, Nov 19, 2008
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  6. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    then there's always the option of an async setup depending on your needs..

    in this situation, i'd go for one mtron 3500 64gb ssd, and one 500gb 5400rpm disk.
     
    davepermen, Nov 19, 2008
    #6