5400 vs 7200

[Phoenix823]

I'm looking to build a computer, and I was wondering just how much of a difference is there between a 5400 RPM drive and a 7200 RPM drive (Both ATA/100)? The most intensive applications I plan on running are the latest games, and perhaps Photoshop as well.

The cheapest 7200rpm 80GB drive on pricewatch is $179, but the cheapest 5400rpm 80GB drive is only $148. For my purposes, do I need to spend that extra $31?

 

[mbetea]

yes you will notice a difference between 5400rpm and 7200rpm. couple questions though. if you're building a system, really i mean what would $30 mean? an alternative too might be to get a 60gb ibm ata100 @ 7200rpm for the price of what you would pay for the 80gb drive @5400rpm. i don't know too many people that game and causual photo editing that can eat up 60gb let alone 80.

ewww, put that thing away, you're in public!

 

[Arrow]

The theoretical speed difference is 33%. Even if it's not really up there, you'll definitely notice a difference.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[FatBurger]

You'll definitely notice a difference. The Western Digital 100gig drive might be a good choice (under $200), as long as you're not prejudiced against WD (like me).

<font color=green>I post so you don't have to!
9/11 - RIP</font color=green>

 

[flamethrower205]

Did u by any chance have that awful experience w/ the caviar WD drives- they sucked, crashed on me every other minute.

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[Arrow]

I have a friend with a 7200RPM WD Expert (an older line). It's fine, but I find it a bit slow, and also it's noticeably louder than most.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[FatBurger]

Nope, I didn't

<font color=green>I post so you don't have to!
9/11 - RIP</font color=green>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

significant difference.

do yourself a favor and get the 7200 rpm. make it your boot device.

if you still need mass storage you can always get a 5400 rpm monster later.
bear in mind that often the biggest bottleneck in a system IS the hard drive.

Religious wars are 2 groups of people fighting over who has the best imaginary friend.

 

[AMD_Man]

Western Digital is an excellent company! They had problems with eariler drives but all their modern drives work perfectly.

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor