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    Sony SZ harddrive upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by IHateMayonnaise, Jan 13, 2009.

  1. IHateMayonnaise

    IHateMayonnaise Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello!

    I am looking to upgrade my laptop to a WD Scorpio Blue (500GB, 5400rpm). From the reviews that I have read this looks to be exactly what Im looking for. However, this drive is SATA II, and I'm not sure if my controller is too; I know that this drive is backwards compatable with SATA I, however if my comp does not have SATA II then obviously many of the performance enhancements on the drive will be rendered useless. How can I tell?

    My laptop is the Vaio VGN-SZ450N, and the Serial ATA controller in the device manager says: "Intel(R) 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C4"

    Any thoughts? Thanks,

    IHateMayonnaise
     
    IHateMayonnaise, Jan 13, 2009
    #1
  2. jdbrookes

    jdbrookes Notebook Evangelist

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    A quick google shows that your existing drive is a 160Gb 5,400RPM Serial ATA 150 drive, but I'm not sure you'd notice a speed increase with a 500gB 5,400RPM "Sata II" drive. In fact, it might seem slower due to the sheer size of 500Gb and the number of platters involved. Might I recommend a lower capacity 7,200RPM drive? I've a 320Gb Sata II 7,200RPM WD drive installed and its noticeably faster than an old 5,400RPM drive, and I do believe it runs at the full SATA II speed as well. Whether the Sata II aspect makes that much of a difference though is unknown to me.
     
    jdbrookes, Jan 13, 2009
    #2
  3. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    500GB will be faster than 160GB due to higher density.
     
    lixuelai, Jan 13, 2009
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