Change hard drives for performance

[agent2]

I have a:
-Brand: Sony
-Model: Vaio VGN-AW350J
-OS: Win 7 Prem 64 (Original OS Windows Vista)
-CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 Processor (2.00GHz) FSB 1066 MHz,
-GPU: Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT Dedicated 512MB RAM
-Resolution:18.4-Inch XBRITE-Full HD Technology 1080P @ 60Hz HDMI Output
-RAM: 4GB DDR2 800 SDRAM (Max Supported 8GB)
-HD: 500GB SATA 5400rpm
-Optical Drive:Blu-Ray R/RW DVD+-R Double Layer / DVD±RW Drive
-Security:Biometric Fingerprint Sensor Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver.1.2 compliant
-Usage (Gaming, Internet, Office Apps, etc…)

Can I instal a:
SEAGATE 500GB MOMENTUS XT 4GB SSD HYBRID 32MB BUFFER 7200RPM NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - STAN500100. Will it give me better performance? If not what kind of HD can I get that will?

 

[saint19]

Hi.

Performance for what?, games, applications, IE, documents....

 

[Jonmor68]

Hi.

Performance for what?, games, applications, IE, documents....

He did specify, "-Usage (Gaming, Internet, Office Apps, etc…)"

 

[cjl]

Yes, you should be able to install a 500GB Momentus XT, and it should give noticeably better performance. It's not as good as an SSD, but it is quite a bit faster than a regular hard drive, especially a 5400rpm one.

 

[agent2]

Best answer selected by agent2.

 

[agent2]

Yes, you should be able to install a 500GB Momentus XT, and it should give noticeably better performance. It's not as good as an SSD, but it is quite a bit faster than a regular hard drive, especially a 5400rpm one.

Thank you for that but:
Then what would be the best HD for my system? I just want to get the best one I can, you said "It's not as good as an SSD". Who makes a 500GB or higher SSD HD? and how much? I'm planning to Beef up this Laptop cause I won't be getting another for a while and want to upgrade what I can. For instance, I am also increasing the RAM to 8GB and would appreciate feedback on the best/fastest in that catagory. Could you take a look at what I have and tell me what parts I can change for more speed/performance cause I refuse to get another laptop after spending $1400 on this one a year ago I would rather upgrade as much as I can first. I love the 18.5 HD screen(don't make many anymore) but got screwed by not realizing the inportance of quad core technology. any advice you could give me would be helpful.

 

[agent2]

PS: I realize laptops cant be upgraded much and should have a desktop, I like being portable and don't care if it weighs 10 pounds. I will be getting a desktop after I do this and will be using it as a learning experience when I buy my desktop.

 

[cjl]

500GB (more accurately, 512GB) SSDs do exist, but they are extremely expensive. Unless your hard drive budget is in the range of a thousand bucks, I would stick with the Seagate (which is the best combination of speed and capacity on the market right now, in my opinion).

 

[MRFS]

A 7,200 rpm 2.5" HDD will definitely perform better e.g.:
Western Digital Scorpio Black:

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=130

Click on "Specifications":

Click Model # for Full Specs.

Model # / Interface / Form Factor / RPM / Capacity Cache
WD7500BPKT SATA 3 Gb/s 2.5 Inch 7200 16 MB 750 GB 16 MB
WD5000BEKT SATA 3 Gb/s 2.5 Inch 7200 16 MB 500 GB 16 MB
WD3200BEKT SATA 3 Gb/s 2.5 Inch 7200 16 MB 320 GB 16 MB
WD2500BEKT SATA 3 Gb/s 2.5 Inch 7200 16 MB 250 GB 16 MB
WD1600BEKT SATA 3 Gb/s 2.5 Inch 7200 16 MB 160 GB 16 MB


If you use Internet browsers a lot, consider expanding your RAM
in that laptop (if you can), and allocate 512MB-1GB at the upper end
to a ramdisk using RamDisk Plus:

http://www.supremelaw.org/systems/superspeed/RamDiskPlus.Review.htm

Because you have a 64-bit OS, you can easily max your RAM up to the
limit of your chipset.


MRFS

 

[saint19]

This topic has been closed by Saint19