How much of a speed increase is it over 5400rpm? Also, how much slower is the 7200rpm compared to a SSD?
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7200rpm worth the $45 upgrade?
- Thread starter louis0nfire
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On a daily basis: Chrome, iChat, iTunes, TweetDeck.
Occasional gaming (on Steam OS X, not Windows), occasional photo editing.
Occasional gaming (on Steam OS X, not Windows), occasional photo editing.
Thanks.
I will always recommend a SSD, but I would wait til the prices are lower. You can put in any harddrive whenever you want. If you can afford a 7200RPM or SSD, I would def. go for it. Remember, if you buy a SSD, I would recommend 256GB.
You don't NEED the 7200RPM or SSD, but it's worth the money. So go for the 7200RPM, an buy a SSD when the prices are ok.
I will always recommend a SSD, but I would wait til the prices are lower. You can put in any harddrive whenever you want. If you can afford a 7200RPM or SSD, I would def. go for it. Remember, if you buy a SSD, I would recommend 256GB.
You don't NEED the 7200RPM or SSD, but it's worth the money. So go for the 7200RPM, an buy a SSD when the prices are ok.
I don't think you'll notice that much difference.
But then again, You are spending close to two grand, what's another 49 bucks?
But then again, You are spending close to two grand, what's another 49 bucks?
Based simply on math, I assumed the 7,200 RPM is one third faster than the 5,400 RPM.
Doesn't really work like that -- hard drive performance is somewhat hard to quantify for one, since the workload will have drastic effects on anything, and there's also significant variations within hard drives of the same speed. Obviously, a given 7200 RPM drive is generally faster than a given 5400 RPM drive, but the speed difference is likely to be modest and probably significantly less than 1/3 (but again, there are lots of other variables at work). Finally, since we're talking about a laptop, a 5400 RPM will have a modest battery life increase relative to a 7200 RPM.
In any case, the difference between the two is very small compared to a SSD, which will blow both of them out of the water. Personally, I'd either stick with the 5400 RPM and not worry about it until SSD prices come down or spend the money for an SSD if you want the best performance.
Hmmm.
I popped in a 500GB 7200 Hitachi.
For what I do, I didn't notice much speed increase.
I also didn't notice any more noise or vibration either.
Interesting, I wonder if you didnt hear more noise or feel vibrations is because of the brand! In the past I have tried WD and Seagate and both increased noise and vibrations noticeably!
I have read some threads of folks hearing the hitachi click, but I haven't experienced that either.
Increasing the platter speed only decreases the seek time. It does not increase the transfer rate.
Thus, your machine will do tasks that involve a lot of files (e.g. booting) much faster, but it won't, say, process a single large file any faster.
Thus, your machine will do tasks that involve a lot of files (e.g. booting) much faster, but it won't, say, process a single large file any faster.
Do you have the current Apple stock 7200rpm drive in the new MacBook Pro? I am considering this drive, but am nervous it will provide additional noise and/or vibration?
I tried to separate 7200 rpm drives in my MBP. In both cases, the noise and vibration increase was unacceptable. I think the unibody transmits the vibrations from the drive right to the palm rests, very annoying to me.
Ultimately, I went with an SSD and an external drive for media backup/storage. Couldn't be happier. Dead-quiet, ultra fast, lower power consumption. The only downside was cost and a bit limited storage space built in. The Intel 160GB drive was a touch over $400; not that expensive for the benefits, actually.
Ultimately, I went with an SSD and an external drive for media backup/storage. Couldn't be happier. Dead-quiet, ultra fast, lower power consumption. The only downside was cost and a bit limited storage space built in. The Intel 160GB drive was a touch over $400; not that expensive for the benefits, actually.
If you're going to go with the 7200rpm, the 128GB SSD is only $135 away from that point 
That's what I am going to do, and then pick up a 750gb HDD for like $80 or so more, for the optibay or as an external HD.
That's what I am going to do, and then pick up a 750gb HDD for like $80 or so more, for the optibay or as an external HD.
i have a 7200rpm and in a completely silent room, you can hear it slightly. lets say if you were downloading something over night, you will definitely hear it clearly. or is that the fans.....but anyways, i was going to go with the 5400rpm before i thought of "im already going to spend 2300 bucks on this mbp, why not get the 7200rpm and have an overall BEASTLY machine (besides going into SSD cause thats just insane how much they cost.....) but i would go with the 7200rpm.
BTW is the 7200rpm suppost to click every now and then? cause i hear clicks at random times.
BTW is the 7200rpm suppost to click every now and then? cause i hear clicks at random times.
I just bought a 15" MBP and I decided to go with a 5400 RPM drive.
1) It was cheaper and 2200 was a lot to drop in the first place.
2) I will upgrade it to an SSD when the prices drop.
Or maybe upgrade to a 1TB drive at 7200RPM at a future date.
1) It was cheaper and 2200 was a lot to drop in the first place.
2) I will upgrade it to an SSD when the prices drop.
Or maybe upgrade to a 1TB drive at 7200RPM at a future date.
Save up the money and later upgrade to an SSD. That will impact your performance significantly more than jumping from a 5400 RPM to a 7200 RPM HD.
I swapped my 250GB 5400rpm drive for a 320GB 7200rpm Hitachi drive and instantly noticed speed increases for opening apps and much less lag in Adobe CS5 as well as the newest Command & Conquer game. My internal temps stay around 35 degrees celsius on average and the drive actually runs quieter.
For $45 I would HIGHLY recommend upgrading to the 7200rpm drive. Obviously an SSD drive is the best way to go but personally, I'm going to wait another few months for the 120GB Intel SSDs to drop below $300.
For $45 I would HIGHLY recommend upgrading to the 7200rpm drive. Obviously an SSD drive is the best way to go but personally, I'm going to wait another few months for the 120GB Intel SSDs to drop below $300.
The 5400 is plenty fast for me. I'm coming from a rev.C Air w/SSD and many other 7200 drives. Just got the base 17" i5 MBP from Amazon and it screams. HDD is no slowdown at all.
I have the stock 7200 rpm hard drive with my new core i5 mbp and I don't hear one thing. Are you guys just listening for sounds? Mine is SILENT and does not vibrate.
not when you can buy a travelstar 500 for $80, put it in yourself, and buy an enclosure for your stock drive for $5.