7200 RPM Upgrade worth it in MBP?

[track09]

Hi,

In a few days, I will be ordering an iMac 24", in addition to a 15" MBP with the student discount. I read in another thread, that the 7200RPM upgrade actually has slower performance than the stock 5400RPM drive in the lowest end MBP. The reason I ask this is because I don't want to spend the extra if I won't notice, but also without this upgrade, I can get both of what I need in the store, as opposed to having to wait for shipping.

So, does anyone know what's the deal?

Permalink to post stating this

Thanks.

 

[MacDawg]

You can also consider this review that compares the 500 GB 5400 Scorpio Blue with the 320 GB 7200 Scorpio Black. They compare favorably.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Great Dave]

7200 RPM Upgrade worth it in MBP?

Yes!

I have upgraded drives a few times, the latest being I just recently upgraded a MBP to new 500 GB Seagate 7200.4 drive. It is worth it.

 

[eVolcre]

You can also consider this review that compares the 500 GB 5400 Scorpio Blue with the 320 GB 7200 Scorpio Black. They compare favorably.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

I can't figure out the conclusion Dawg. Is it saying that only the high capacity drives (500GB) have similar performance at both speeds? How about a 320GB drive at 5400. Will that also have equivalent performance to a 320 (7200) or a 500 (7400) ?

I'm planning on picking up the base 13" MBP, putting the stock 160GB drive into my 17" and upgrading that one to either 320 / 500 myself.

I'd rather spend an extra USD50 on the MBP to get the 250GB drive for my old computer but that becomes a BTO and a PITA to order online or exchange etc. Thoughts?

eV

eV

 

[MacDawg]

I can't figure out the conclusion Dawg. Is it saying that only the high capacity drives (500GB) have similar performance at both speeds? How about a 320GB drive at 5400. Will that also have equivalent performance to a 320 (7200) or a 500 (7400) ?

eV

The conclusion to that review (and similar ones) was just between the Blue and Black. Comparisons between other size drives and speeds may draw different conclusions. However, in that head to head look, there was not a significant difference (for various reasons).

I am not saying that 5400 = 7200 by any means
Only that in real life, there may not be a significant, noticeable difference
Perhaps it has something to do with the bigger drive being 5400 and the smaller being 7200

All I know is that I am very pleased with the Blue, but I didn't install the Black to compare myself

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[chris7777]

I sure hope it makes a difference, I sacrificed a 320 gig HD for a 7200 250 gig one on my refurb that fed ex is sitting their lazy backsides on till tuesday.

 

[eVolcre]

The conclusion to that review (and similar ones) was just between the Blue and Black. Comparisons between other size drives and speeds may draw different conclusions. However, in that head to head look, there was not a significant difference (for various reasons).

I am not saying that 5400 = 7200 by any means
Only that in real life, there may not be a significant, noticeable difference
Perhaps it has something to do with the bigger drive being 5400 and the smaller being 7200

All I know is that I am very pleased with the Blue, but I didn't install the Black to compare myself

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Which size blue did you get? I don't want to go higher than 320 as an internal but the difference between 320 and 500 is only USD 20. Seems silly not to go for the bigger eh?


Amazon has

320 Blue for USD 65
320 Black for USD 78.99 and
500 Blue for USD 100.92

What do you recommend?

eV

 

[Gunga Din]

I recently upgraded my MBP's HD to the Black Scorpio. Its made a difference when compared with the stock HD. I don't get that spinning wheel nearly as much and apps open much quicker. Its very obvious to me.

I can't compare it to the Blue, but the Black is an excellent upgrade.

 

[eVolcre]

I recently upgraded my MBP's HD to the Black Scorpio. Its made a difference when compared with the stock HD. I don't get that spinning wheel nearly as much and apps open much quicker. Its very obvious to me.

I can't compare it to the Blue, but the Black is an excellent upgrade.

I thought the black reduced battery life. From all the reviews it seems like a 500GB 5400rpm drive is equivalent in performance to a 320 GB 7200 drive.

I'm confused as to whether the 320 GB 5400 drive also performs as well as the 320 GB 7200 drive or if it has something to do with the larger platters on the 500

eV

 

[flopticalcube]

I thought the black reduced battery life. From all the reviews it seems like a 500GB 5400rpm drive is equivalent in performance to a 320 GB 7200 drive.

I'm confused as to whether the 320 GB 5400 drive also performs as well as the 320 GB 7200 drive or if it has something to do with the larger platters on the 500

eV

Its the platter density that gives the 500gb its speed. The 320gb won't be as fast.

 

[eVolcre]

Its the platter density that gives the 500gb its speed. The 320gb won't be as fast.

Thanks flopticalcube! Last question before I pull the trigger.

I'm going to be installing the drive in a base MBP 13" and moving that drive over to my old machine. I've heard the 7200 rpm drives use more battery. How much more? Am I better off with a 7200 320GB or a 5400 500GB? I don't really need 500, prefer to use an external for big files but if the battery hit on the lower capacity 7200 is too much, then I may go for the larger one.

eV

 

[flopticalcube]

Thanks flopticalcube! Last question before I pull the trigger.

I'm going to be installing the drive in a base MBP 13" and moving that drive over to my old machine. I've heard the 7200 rpm drives use more battery. How much more? Am I better off with a 7200 320GB or a 5400 500GB? I don't really need 500, prefer to use an external for big files but if the battery hit on the lower capacity 7200 is too much, then I may go for the larger one.

eV

Maybe 5%, probably less.

 

[eVolcre]

Ah. That's not bad at all. Although now I'm having second thoughts about something ELSE> My MBP 17 is an older machine. I'll be putting the slower drive from the MBP13 into the machine that is slower and could use a faster HD. It's got a 100GB 7200 RPM drive in it right now ...

eV

 

[geoffreak]

Totally worth it. I did this upgrade on my MBP and the difference is very noticeable.

 

[eVolcre]

OK. I'm pulling the trigger on a WD Scorpio Black 320G for USD 90 shipped.

Is there ANY reason I should go with the Blue for my MBP13? Heat , battery life etc?

(Why can I never make up my mind Paralysis by over analysis)

eV