HDD 7200 or 5400rpm?

[Puckman]

I'm looking to buy a new MBP in the coming days (waiting to see if a new upgrade is announced). In the meantime, I'm doing my homework. Trying to decide how worth it the 200G 7200rpm upgrade is for the Hard Drive.

Obviously, in an ideal world, the faster, slightly bigger HD wins. But I have no real need for the extra space (I have all the space I need with 160G + external storage) and I don't really use my computer for high-performance stuff (gaming, rendering, or whatever). Is the improvement in performance/speed that obvious between 5400 and 7200? I mean, is it something noticeable on "standard" applications? (Anything from GarageBand to basic iTunes, mp3 ripping, etc.).

 

[SilentPanda]

You might check out this thread.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/431617/

 

[Neil321]

Or try this one

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/431921/

 

[a104375]

I'm looking to buy a new MBP in the coming days (waiting to see if a new upgrade is announced). In the meantime, I'm doing my homework. Trying to decide how worth it the 200G 7200rpm upgrade is for the Hard Drive.

Obviously, in an ideal world, the faster, slightly bigger HD wins. But I have no real need for the extra space (I have all the space I need with 160G + external storage) and I don't really use my computer for high-performance stuff (gaming, rendering, or whatever). Is the improvement in performance/speed that obvious between 5400 and 7200? I mean, is it something noticeable on "standard" applications? (Anything from GarageBand to basic iTunes, mp3 ripping, etc.).

if you only plan on doing the things mentioned i would say that your safe with the 5400 rpm drive but if you ever plan on doing high-performance work i would spring for the 7200 rpm drive

 

[durant0s]

From reading the other posts, for you, if there is a price issue. Without general need for it then don't do it. If you do upgrade it seems like it would be better to upgrade via third party but then you would still be buying the stock hardrive and a third party one, which would not be cost efficient.

 

[Puckman]

Thanks for the links, guys. That's exactly the kind of discussion I was looking for.

 

[freitas]

I also suggest checking out the reviews on THG. They show several comparisons between the 7200 and 5400 drives. You might be surprised by the results.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/18/wd_and_toshiba_join_the_club/