MacBook Pro - 5400rpm vs. 7200rpm

thatPUNKdude · thatPUNKdude #1 (**permalink**)

06-17-2009, 10:06 PM

Hey everyone,

I'll keep this brief. Is there a big difference between 5400rpm HD and a 7200rpm HD in terms of noise. I no 7200 is faster but if it's a lot louder im considering buying the 5400.

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

06-17-2009, 10:18 PM

No there is not.

My WD 320 GB 7200 is virtually silent. It is quieter than the original 120 GB 5400 drive that was in the machine. In a quiet room at 4:30 in the morning, the fans spinning at 2,000 rpm are louder than anything I have heard from this drive.

I have seen similar reported in reference to the Seagate drives.

These are the only two brands I would recommend. The WD's are still 5 yr warranties while Seagate has now dropped theirs back to 3 yr.

chscag · chscag #3 (**permalink**)

06-17-2009, 10:19 PM

I recently swapped out my original 5400 RPM Hitachi drive with a WD Scorpio 7200 RPM model. No difference in noise or heat. The new drive is of course faster and has a larger cache.

Regards.

Kash · Kash #4 (**permalink**)

06-17-2009, 10:27 PM

I agree with the above. I upgraded a while ago and I've totally forgotten that I'm running a 7200RPM drive. The only time I notice it is when I'm using my friend's Macbook that still has a 5400RPM drive and programs load slower than they do on my Macbook, even though he has a newer unibody and I have a Blackbook.

vansmith · vansmith #5 (**permalink**)

06-17-2009, 10:44 PM

To reassure you further, I replaced my stock 120GB with a 320GB WD Scorpio Black and it was one of the best investments I have made for my MB. It is a tad louder but by no means anywhere close to loud enough that it bothers you. It also runs a tad warmer too but nowhere near any temperatures that would be cause for concern.

harrya · harrya #6 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 11:28 AM

I've been a lurker on this forum for a long time but thought I'd jump in on this topic. Just bought a new MBP 15" with dedicated graphics and stock 320gb hard drive. Went to Fry's and bought a Seagate 500gb 7,200rpm drive for $129.00 and a $20.00 external sata unit to clone the stock drive. Cloning process was simple and new 500/7200 drive works fawlessly. It loads in 20 seconds and accesses data noticeably faster. There is no noise or vibration. There is no loss in battery power. Hope this helps.

bungy · bungy #7 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 11:39 AM

Is there a sticky or usefull discussion thread about how to change your Macbook Harddrive?

I think that many would benefit with a description of how to clone a drive, and the steps involved.

harrya · harrya #8 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:01 PM

I don't know about a sticky. I found easy procedures by doing a search which pointed me to a two minute video on YouTube. Its a very easy procedure if you're cloning a drive to be used in the same unit as the original drive. You really can't clone a drive that is being used in a different unit as the drivers are different.

vansmith · vansmith #9 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bungy

Is there a sticky or usefull discussion thread about how to change your Macbook Harddrive?

I think that many would benefit with a description of how to clone a drive, and the steps involved.

There is probably a guide for changing your hard drive on the Apple website. There was for my MB.

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #10 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 01:32 PM

I recently installed a Seagate Momentus 320GB 7200 rpm drive in my late '08 MBP. Believe it or not, the thing seems to run slower and take longer to boot up than before with the OEM 320GB 5400rpm drive. Very odd. Go figure.

harrya · harrya #11 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 05:52 PM

That's the same Seagate I installed in a new June 09 MBP 15" and I'm getting great results. Can anyone explain this paradox?

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #12 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 06:00 PM

Got me harrya. I checked the jumper settings, just to make sure it wasn't set to 1.5GB. All good - no jumpers at all.

detpenguin · detpenguin #13 (**permalink**)

06-20-2009, 11:02 PM

Does replacing the harddrive void the warranty? I'd like to replace my 250gb 5400 with something larger and faster.

nizmoz · nizmoz #14 (**permalink**)

06-20-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatPUNKdude

Hey everyone,

I'll keep this brief. Is there a big difference between 5400rpm HD and a 7200rpm HD in terms of noise. I no 7200 is faster but if it's a lot louder im considering buying the 5400.

The 7200 will not be louder (of course that depends on the brand), but it will be hotter and consume more power. So in other words your battery will drain faster and possible your laptop will get a little hotter in that corner.

Otherwise if you can afford it, get the 7200.

Also for the folks that got 7200s and think they are slower. That is very possible. 7200 rpms doesn't mean the HD will be fast. There are 5400 rpm drives out there that perform better than some 7200 rpm drives because of the access speed. That is what counts. The faster the drive can access and move that head across, the faster it will be.

z_knill · z_knill #15 (**permalink**)

06-21-2009, 02:52 PM

i have the old mac book... and i dont think that it is worth giving up 50gb for the 7200 rpm
where u can get 250gb with 5400 rpm

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,796 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	06-17-2009, 10:18 PM No there is not. My WD 320 GB 7200 is virtually silent. It is quieter than the original 120 GB 5400 drive that was in the machine. In a quiet room at 4:30 in the morning, the fans spinning at 2,000 rpm are louder than anything I have heard from this drive. I have seen similar reported in reference to the Seagate drives. These are the only two brands I would recommend. The WD's are still 5 yr warranties while Seagate has now dropped theirs back to 3 yr. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

Kash #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 03, 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 9,385 Mac Specs: Black Macbook C2D 2GHz 3GB RAM 250GB HD iPhone 4 iPad 3G	06-17-2009, 10:27 PM I agree with the above. I upgraded a while ago and I've totally forgotten that I'm running a 7200RPM drive. The only time I notice it is when I'm using my friend's Macbook that still has a 5400RPM drive and programs load slower than they do on my Macbook, even though he has a newer unibody and I have a Blackbook. June 2007 July 2009
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,295 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	06-17-2009, 10:44 PM To reassure you further, I replaced my stock 120GB with a 320GB WD Scorpio Black and it was one of the best investments I have made for my MB. It is a tad louder but by no means anywhere close to loud enough that it bothers you. It also runs a tad warmer too but nowhere near any temperatures that would be cause for concern. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

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thatPUNKdude #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 07, 2009 Posts: 5	06-17-2009, 10:06 PM Hey everyone, I'll keep this brief. Is there a big difference between 5400rpm HD and a 7200rpm HD in terms of noise. I no 7200 is faster but if it's a lot louder im considering buying the 5400.
	QUOTE Thanks

harrya #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 18, 2009 Location: Florida/Texas Posts: 53 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" June 09	06-18-2009, 11:28 AM I've been a lurker on this forum for a long time but thought I'd jump in on this topic. Just bought a new MBP 15" with dedicated graphics and stock 320gb hard drive. Went to Fry's and bought a Seagate 500gb 7,200rpm drive for $129.00 and a $20.00 external sata unit to clone the stock drive. Cloning process was simple and new 500/7200 drive works fawlessly. It loads in 20 seconds and accesses data noticeably faster. There is no noise or vibration. There is no loss in battery power. Hope this helps.
	QUOTE Thanks

bungy #7 (permalink)
Member Since: May 11, 2009 Location: London Posts: 132 Mac Specs: 2009 Macbook White 2Ghz 2Gig RAM 120Gig HDD	06-18-2009, 11:39 AM Is there a sticky or usefull discussion thread about how to change your Macbook Harddrive? I think that many would benefit with a description of how to clone a drive, and the steps involved.
	QUOTE Thanks

harrya #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 18, 2009 Location: Florida/Texas Posts: 53 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" June 09	06-18-2009, 12:01 PM I don't know about a sticky. I found easy procedures by doing a search which pointed me to a two minute video on YouTube. Its a very easy procedure if you're cloning a drive to be used in the same unit as the original drive. You really can't clone a drive that is being used in a different unit as the drivers are different.
	QUOTE Thanks

XJ-linux #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,125 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	06-18-2009, 01:32 PM I recently installed a Seagate Momentus 320GB 7200 rpm drive in my late '08 MBP. Believe it or not, the thing seems to run slower and take longer to boot up than before with the OEM 320GB 5400rpm drive. Very odd. Go figure.
	QUOTE Thanks

harrya #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 18, 2009 Location: Florida/Texas Posts: 53 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" June 09	06-18-2009, 05:52 PM That's the same Seagate I installed in a new June 09 MBP 15" and I'm getting great results. Can anyone explain this paradox?
	QUOTE Thanks

XJ-linux #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,125 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	06-18-2009, 06:00 PM Got me harrya. I checked the jumper settings, just to make sure it wasn't set to 1.5GB. All good - no jumpers at all.
	QUOTE Thanks

detpenguin #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 03, 2008 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 67 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.4g, 4gb Ram \| iPod Touch 8GB	06-20-2009, 11:02 PM Does replacing the harddrive void the warranty? I'd like to replace my 250gb 5400 with something larger and faster.
	QUOTE Thanks

z_knill #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 10 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD	06-21-2009, 02:52 PM i have the old mac book... and i dont think that it is worth giving up 50gb for the 7200 rpm where u can get 250gb with 5400 rpm
	QUOTE Thanks

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