Urgent! Help with a v400t's hard drive :s

Hi folks!

I'm about to buy a Compaq Presario v4000T CTO (because the huge discounts on it expire @ Jan 28 )

So... I'm considering to install my own 7,200 RPM hard drive. I did some browsing @ NewEgg and found these Hitachis (all 60 GB models):

7k100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146046

7k60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146020

e7k100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145097

Given this, I have several questions:

1. Is it really worth it to add one of this HDs, or should I stick with Compaq's 5,400 RPM? ($60) I intend to use the laptop for work and also for graphic design (Photoshop/Illustrator/GoLive...) ... perhaps for gaming, but I don't think so... Need for Speed Most Wanted, perhaps.

2. Is there any difference between these Hitachi models?

I'd really appreciate your help, cuz I gotta order this baby soon! :hp: Thanks guys!

 

1. Yes, the 7200rpm will improve your load times and the average seek times will also improve over the 5400rpm HDD's. If you are looking or price/performance, then get the 5400rpm HDD's, but if you want the best performance possible then the 7200rpm is a nice investment.

2.The e7K100 is meant to be used in blade servers and lack some power saving features the other two drives have. Get either the 7K100 or the 7K60. Seagate also makes a couple of 7200rpm HDD's. They are the only other manufacturer other than Hitachi who manufacture 7200rpm HDD's. You might want to consider them as well.

 

Thanks! However, I have one more doubt in regards to 7,200 RPMs... do they produce more heat, or something similar? Or is it 100% safe to install a 7,200 onto the v4000T?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, there will be some extra heat, but nothing which would affect the performance. If you are constantly accessing the disk then it will produce some more heat than what a 4200/5400rpm HDD would typically produce.

Also do remember a 7200rpm HDD will decrease your battery life by around 2-3%. Not much of a difference but if you want the best battery life stick to a 4200/5400rpm HDD.

The V4000T should be capable of handling a 7200rpm HDD. Similar sized notebooks have had options to install a 7200rpm(dell i6000) and even smaller notebooks(Asus W3V) can handle a 7200rpm HDD, so it should not be an issue.

 

Thanks... on my way to buy one! I guess I'll make a review as soon as I get it

 

The thinner the notebook, the more you'll feel the heat.