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    Which WD Hard Drive Upgrade?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mike_in_nyc, Sep 30, 2009.

  1. mike_in_nyc

    mike_in_nyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been doing a lot of research on upgrading the HDD on my MacBook Pro (Mid 2007). I am very confused on all the benchmarking statistics/ graphs and would appreciate some advice. I previously installed a WD Scorpio black 320gb drive into my laptop. Unfortunately I can not fit all my media on this drive and was looking to upgrade to either the WD 500gb Scorpio blue or the new WD 640gb which is just available. Although my current black 320gb benchmarks faster than the 500gb blue drive, does the increased speed make any real world difference in accessing files and booting the machine? Also, any idea of how the 640gb will compare with the other two drive?

    The 500gb is about $90 to $100 while the 640gb is about $150. I am willing to pay for the larger drive if there is a significant benefit over the 320gb or 500gb (other than storage space.)

    Thanks for your help.
     
    mike_in_nyc, Sep 30, 2009
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  2. ettornio

    ettornio Notebook Deity

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    The 640GB drives are larger in physical size than typical laptop 2.5" hard drives. I believe they are 12.5mm. Be sure to check your MacBook Pro's manual/tech specs to see if a drive that large will fit into the chassis.
     
    ettornio, Sep 30, 2009
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  3. mike_in_nyc

    mike_in_nyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    Its my understanding the 640gb is 9.5mm while the 750gb and 1TB are 12.5mm.
     
    mike_in_nyc, Sep 30, 2009
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  4. laserbullet

    laserbullet Notebook Evangelist

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    This is correct.
     
    laserbullet, Sep 30, 2009
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  5. mike_in_nyc

    mike_in_nyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any thoughts on the real world speed difference between the Scorpio Black 320gb, and Scorpio Blue 500gb and 640gb? Will I miss the 7,200 rpm moving to the blue drive to get more capacity? Also, any testing showing a comparison between the 500gb and 640gb?

    Thanks
     
    mike_in_nyc, Sep 30, 2009
    #5
  6. melthd

    melthd Notebook Evangelist

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    oh don't ever get Scorpio Blue. The MBP is hot enough as it is. the WD Scorpio Blue is blazing at idle temps. (47C)
     
    melthd, Sep 30, 2009
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  7. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Theoretically WD6400BEVT should be as fast as WD3200BEKT in real world performance.

    WD3200BEKT is slightly faster than WD5000BEVT. But the difference is only noticeable in medium/heavy multi tasking and opening larger applications.
     
    Phil, Oct 1, 2009
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  8. ettornio

    ettornio Notebook Deity

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    I didn't realize you could get a WD 640GB laptop 2.5" drive. There weren't any on Newegg when I checked... My mistake.
     
    ettornio, Oct 1, 2009
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  9. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Oct 1, 2009
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  10. mike_in_nyc

    mike_in_nyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    I know the cost difference between 500gb and 640gb is large and doesn't make sense for storage capacity. I'm wonder how much fast is the 640gb? Besides higher density its a next generation. I haven't seen any benchmarks yet.
     
    mike_in_nyc, Oct 3, 2009
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  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I think it will be impossible to notice any difference in speed.

    I'll post the benchmarks in the WD6400BEVT thread.
     
    Phil, Oct 3, 2009
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