7200rpm or 5400 rpm for data

magick · 12 Aug 2011 at 22:21

Should I go for a 7200rpm or 5400rpm for my data/game drive. I'll have an SSD for the OS.

P3N9U1N · 12 Aug 2011 at 22:23

7200 is better for gaming, photo editing etc, it will only make games load a bit faster, not that noticable

magick · 12 Aug 2011 at 22:29

P3N9U1N said:
7200 is better for gaming, photo editing etc, it will only make games load a bit faster, not that noticable

What about adding a 20gb solid state to the data drive to utilise Intel Smart Response? Can you do that with a data drive or is it only for the OS drive?

fleming222 · 12 Aug 2011 at 23:56

You can do it with any drive.

cmndr_andi · 12 Aug 2011 at 23:59

I would go for a fast 7200rpm drive like the Samsung F3 1TB. These drives are great value (~£40) and quick enough for loading your games.

setter · 13 Aug 2011 at 00:30

+1 for the F3, superb drives. Though i keep a few of my most often played games on my ssd.

N19h7m4r3 · 13 Aug 2011 at 09:56

I usually only use a 5400rpm drive for storing photos, documents, movies and music.

The 7200rpm is for software.

Like the others said you can get a very good 7200 drive for under the £50 mark. Samsung do not disappoint.

nate922 · 13 Aug 2011 at 10:10

I find the 7200 drives heat up a little more. Maybe mine are older.

The 5400 drives run cool and virtually silent. Another point to consider if you're not after speed.

andy_mk3 · 13 Aug 2011 at 10:12

nate922 said:
I find the 7200 drives heat up a little more. Maybe mine are older.

The 5400 drives run cool and virtually silent. Another point to consider if you're not after speed.

My 1TB F3 is nearly always the coolest component in my PC

Another vote here for the 7200rpm F3 drive, very quick for a mechanical drive, thumbnails etc will load quicker too which is nice.