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500gb 5400rpm scorpio blue or 7200rpm 320gb scorpio black?

M

Maccleduff

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 26, 2007
247
0
The thing is I dont really need 500gb of space. But from reviews Ive read that the 500gb is faster in some cases because of its higher platter density.
Vibration /noise issues on the scorpio black 7200rpm sway me towards the scorpio blue 500gb as well.

Anyone had experience of either hard drive or both? (this will be for a 2.2Ghz MBP)
 
C

crzdmniac

macrumors regular
Aug 23, 2007
110
0
I've had both, and while the 320GB 7200RPM is a great drive, I can't see a noticeable difference in speed. However, the 500GB Scorpio sips power, and you'll end up with a bit more battery life, it's also quieter and runs cooler. Just my 2 cents.
 
F

federikk

macrumors newbie
Apr 6, 2009
12
0
my 2 cent:

i strongly suggest you the 5400 one.
i've had a lot of noise/vibration iussue with a wd bekt7200(320gb, scorpio black) in a uMB.
now the 7200 is in my mc mac mini, and ,still, i've gotta put the mini on a pad.

it's simply not suitable for a notebook hanging on your lap!
 
iLog.Genius

iLog.Genius

macrumors 601
Feb 24, 2009
4,908
452
Toronto, Ontario
Some say getting a hard vibrating 7200 HDD is hit/miss, you might get one or you might not, but asking some of my co-workers and managers, they told me that 7200 HDD's simply don't work well with the MacBook's and MacBook Pro's. Apple did use rubber stoppers/bumpers in the HDD bay but they do almost nothing.

Preventing you from wasting time in getting a replacement in case you do get a vibrating 7200 HDD, I'd stick with the WD 500GB 5400 RPM HDD because performance is pretty solid and the price tag is cheap. Heat and noise isn't a problem.
 
S

SOLLERBOY

macrumors 6502a
Aug 8, 2008
715
68
UK
I have the 500GB Blue and it's been working flawlessly for a few months, it's no hotter or noticeably louder than the stock drive.
 
B

blakediamond

macrumors newbie
Jun 18, 2009
29
0
i have the 500gb scorpio blue as well and it's been nothing but perfect. It's a fast drive and very afordable.
 
N

natebookpro

macrumors 6502a
Sep 25, 2008
539
16
Maryland
I had the Black and exchanged it for the Blue which I am very happy with. I was having vibration issues with the Black, and to be honest the Blue seems just as fast.
 
O

oojosheoo

macrumors member
Oct 15, 2008
50
0
I'm on the same boat. I put a 320gb 7200 rpm drive, forget the model, from the day I purchased my unibody mbp 2.4. And then newegg had a great price on the 500gb Scorpio blue drive. And I never opened it. I was just going to install it on my ps3. But after the above replys should I too just switch out my 320gb and install the 500 gb ?
 
Kobra

Kobra

macrumors regular
Jun 17, 2009
225
104
I have the 500 gb blue in my mbp. I say install it - you will not regret it! :)
 
Shawny D

Shawny D

macrumors member
May 13, 2009
92
0
I'm rocking the 320 GB Scorpio Black at the moment and can't really complain. It's plenty fast and I haven't noticed any real dip in battery power.

However, if I had to do it again today I'd probably go with the 500 GB Scorpio Blue since there's currently only a $10 price difference b/t the two and you can never have too much space.
 
Stridder44

Stridder44

macrumors 68040
Mar 24, 2003
3,973
198
California
Can anyone else attest for the 320 GB @ 7200 RPM? I've been looking to replace my MBP's hard drive. My primary concern is speed (non-SSD) but if so many people here have experienced vibration/noise from the Black then maybe Blue really is the way to go.
 
coops108

coops108

macrumors newbie
Feb 16, 2010
22
0
Australia
well i was all set to buy scorpio black 320gb because iv heard its awesome but now i dont know. im not fussed about the price difference between blue or black. but if there is a noticable differnce in speed between 7200 and 5400 then i will get the black but now that iv been told that heat and vibration is an issue with macbook pros and the black then im not sure if i should still get the black. wat u recon?
 
coops108

coops108

macrumors newbie
Feb 16, 2010
22
0
Australia
Gabriel GR

Gabriel GR

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2009
716
1
Athens, Greece
I've had the Scorpio Black 160, Scorpio Black 320 and Scorpio Blue 500. The 160GB was the fastest and most silent. I think the 500 and 320GB were equally fast with the 320gb being a bit more vibrant when placed on a carpet or sth.
 
Stridder44

Stridder44

macrumors 68040
Mar 24, 2003
3,973
198
California
Gabriel GR said:
a bit more vibrant when placed on a carpet
Click to expand...

Place a laptop on carpet is one of the worst things you could do. And this is just one reason why I become skeptical of those who claim they vibrate more. I mean you did put the rubber bumpers back on the new drive right?
 
Gabriel GR

Gabriel GR

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2009
716
1
Athens, Greece
Stridder44 said:
Place a laptop on carpet is one of the worst things you could do. And this is just one reason why I become skeptical of those who claim they vibrate more. I mean you did put the rubber bumpers back on the new drive right?
Click to expand...

I know it's bad but semetimes I sit on the floor for 5 minutes to check my email etc. I did put the bumpers. I couldn't tell the difference but on soft surfaces even with the stock drive the vibration somehow travels throughout the metal body.
 
dubhe

dubhe

macrumors 65816
May 1, 2007
1,304
10
Norwich, UK
I have the WD 320 7200 Rpm drive and can't don't have a problem with noise or vibration. If anything the fan running at 2000 Rpm is more noticeable.

Anyone try one of the larger WD drives, 750GB or 1TB (triple platter)
 
S

Shimmy

macrumors newbie
Jul 5, 2010
1
0
Something that I find hard about researching products on forums is the huge difference of opinion. I normally come away feeling more confused.

I hate to add to the confusion but I installed a WD Scorpio Blue 500gb into my near new 13 MBP about a month ago. I've just pulled it out yesterday and sent it back.

The original drive is the Hitachi 250gb 5400RPM. This drive is inaudible. I'm probably a bit too picky, but when i put the Blue 500gb in, the first thing i noticed was this constant 'whispering' pulsing sound. It absolutely bugged me. In saying that, there are so many ppl that are happy with it. Maybe mine was faulty.

I am now definitely inclined to go with the 500gb hitachi now. Hopefully its going to be as quiet as the stock one.
 
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