T400 Hardrive Suggestions

I'm considering on getting a new larger hardrive for my T400 on 160gb 7200rpm.

Preferably quieter/less vibration/heat that is about the same speed as the one I have. (I don't really mind it)

Has anyone tried replacing their old one? How did you go about doing it while keeping the thinkpad softwares? Can I transfer everything from this drive over and use it without having to install windows?

 

If you want "quieter/less vibration/heat" you may want to look at 5400 RPM drives. A new 5400 RPM drive with either 160GB or 250GB platters should be equal to or better than your 160GB 7200RPM drive (probably 80GB platters) for sequential transfers. However, the seek time of a 5400 RPM drive will be longer.

The Hitachi 5k320 is a decent and inexpensive 5400 RPM drive. Other options would include some 500GB 5400 RPM drives (I would recommend one with 2 platters rather than 3).

The easiest way to port everything over is to do a direct drive clone. You can use software such as Acronis or Self Image to do a sector for sector copy of the drive. You then may need to either extend the existing partitions, or create a new partition, to fill the remaining space (size new - size old). A USB enclosure for a 2.5" SATA drive is probably easiest, but if you have access to a desktop computer you can place both drives in it and clone them that way.

It may also help to know the exact model of your current drive (turn off the computer, remove the drive, and write down the numbers).

 

i recommend the hitachi 5k500.b
it is very quiet, cool, and efficient - and has performance surprisingly on par with most 7200 drives!

 

I on the other hand, would recommend a 7200 rpm dive.
-Renee

 

If you want less vibration you need to go for 5400rpm.

Hitachi 5K500.b is quiet, fast and very power efficient.

Toshiba released a 500GB that's even more power efficient (see Tom's Hardware charts).

 

That's strange Phil. I had a T61-p with a permanenty mounted 7200 rpm Hitachi, and I can't say that I ever heard it.
-Renee

 

Well first of all vibration to me is something different than noise. Vibration you can feel, noise you can hear. My WD1600BEKT vibrates but doesn't make noise.

Sometimes you get lucky with a 7200rpm drive that does not vibrate at all and is dead quiet.

But generally speaking 5400rpm drives vibrate less than 7200rpm drives. (Not that it stops me from buying 7200rpm drives.)

If noise and vibration are priorities 5400rpm is the way to go.

On a sidenote, Seagate's 7200.4 500GB doesn't seem to be a performing as good as it should, which makes the 500GB 5400rpm drives more appealing. Actually the Hitachi 5K500.b managed to outperform the Seagate 7200.4 in writing a 5GB folder in the review on I4U.com.

 

Would I be able by any chance to install a SSD drive on mine?

Is the 320gb 5400rpm hitatchi or wd scorpio better? (Priority is noise/vibration/heat)

Is there a fan around the hardrive area? I read somewhere that there is and it maybe the fan and not the hardrive sound. I have a T400

 

You certainly can install an SSD. However, this will generally result in a reduction of capacity (although you can run a hybrid method with an HDD in the UltraBay).

The 320GB Hitachi and WD Scorpio should be roughly even in terms of noise/vibration/heat. Both will be better than a 7200RPM drive, but worse than an SSD.

I'm not sure about the T400, but I noticed a subtantial reduction in noise level (from very quiet to effectively inaudible) when I switched from a Hitachi 5k320 to an SSD (see the SSD effects link my sig).

 

Will I need an adapter? Or will it fit right in to where my hardrive is? Can you hear your SSD running now? Or do you just hear your fan running?

 

What could be moving in an SSD that would make noise?

 

Generally speaking WDs get more complaints about noise. They also perform slightly better than Hitachi. For example WD3200BEVT is slightly faster than Hitachi 5K320.

But I recommend 250GB Hitachi 5K500.b. This is a single platter drive. It will perform better than Hitachi 5K320, use less power and make less noise.

 

How about a 320GB Hitatch 5400rpm? I heard the two platters are better, but would that sacrifice heat/noise/vibration?

 

I have NEVER heard the SSD running. The fan changes from very quiet (easy to hear in a silent room) to effectively inaudible even with my ear right on top of the exhaust vent.

If you get a 2.5" SSD you will simply use the same rubber rails and HDD mounting kit that you have now. However, if you purchase a 1.8" SSD like I did you will need a 1.8" to 2.5" adapter (this also converts micro-SATA to regular SATA).

The cheapest good SSD right now is the 64GB 2.5" Samsung MLC drive from Geeks.com for $133. This is the 2.5" version of the same SSD Lenovo currently sells. It performs well and will NOT stutter. However, it may be too small for your needs.

I'd second this recommendation if 250GB of storage is adequate. Single platter drives use marginally less power, are marginally lighter, and make marginally less noise.

Two platters are better if and only if you have a need for the extra storage. Single platter drives are better from an acoustic, vibration, and energy perspective. However, the 320GB 5k500 drive is slightly short stroked (2 platters and 3 faces of a 500GB drive should equal 375GB). As such, the slowest 55GB of the 320GB model will NOT be used, resulting in a higher average and minimum sequential transfer rate.

 

Actually the opposite is true. Like jonlumpkin said, one platter drives tend to use slightly less power, cause less vibration than two platter drives.

In case of the Hitachis there's also a generation difference.

The 250GB Hitachi 5K500.b will beat the 320GB Hitachi 5K320 in:
-performance
-power consumption
-vibration.

Still the Hitachi 5K320 is a good and quiet drive. The 5K500.b is just better.