USB 2/3 and 5400/7200 RPM

Discussion in 'Mac Accessories' started by vmachiel, Aug 7, 2012.

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  1. vmachiel, Aug 7, 2012

    vmachiel macrumors 68000

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    #1
    Hi forum,

    So I'm looking to buy a 1TB external hard drive. To future proof it, i'd look to buy it with USB 3. But will that make a difference if the drive is 5400 RPM, or is 7200 needed to exceed USB 2 speeds? The searches I did online gave different answers, so i'm hoping some one here has one:)

    Thank you
     
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  2. simsaladimbamba, Aug 7, 2012

    simsaladimbamba Guest

    simsaladimbamba

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    #2
    A 5400 RPM HDD can at least offer 70 MB/s, a 7200 RPM HDD at least 90 MB/s.
    USB 2.0 has a maximum throughput of 37 MB/s, thus only USB 3.0 will take advantage of the faster speeds of HDDs.
     
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  3. vmachiel, Aug 7, 2012

    vmachiel thread starter macrumors 68000

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    #3
    Ok thanks, so i'll rate USB 3 over 7200 RPM:)
     
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  4. rlantagne21, Aug 7, 2012

    rlantagne21 macrumors member

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    #4
    I just picked up one of the new 1TB Seagate Backup Plus drives to use with my new rMBP... It's only a 5400rpm drive but I get between 90-110 MBps transfers over USB 3.0 (monitored it with activity monitor) depending on the type of files being transferred.

    Most portable external drive will be 5400rpm. There are a few that are 7200, but I wouldn't limit yourself to just 7200rpm drives, considering 100 MBps on average is more than adequate for what most people need.
     
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  5. vmachiel, Aug 8, 2012

    vmachiel thread starter macrumors 68000

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    #5
    Ok, I went for a Western Digital 1TB 5400RPM with USB3. Thanks for the advices
     
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