Laptop drives - Much difference between speeds?

Borden · 4 May 2007 at 07:00

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about getting a laptop drive (after seeing how tiny they are :eek:

) and putting it in an external enclosure for use over USB so that i can carry more stuff around with me.

Seeing as i'd be using USB would i notice much difference in file transfers between these three speeds:

4200rpm
5400rpm
7200rpm

Or would they all be limited by USB and so i wouldn't notice a difference? I'm just wondering which speed to get as the 7200rpm ones are a lot more expensive than the slower ones.

Any recommendations on suitable caddies would also be great.

Cheers

smids · 4 May 2007 at 07:24

A 5400rpm will pull about 29MB/s sustained read so this is your best bet. This way you are operating at the max the USB can transfer anyway. 7200rpm's are faster, obviously, at about 45-50MB/s but a 5400 should do just fine, unless you want faster seeks. ~17ms compared with about 14ms.

Borden · 4 May 2007 at 07:34

Cheers smids

5400rpm it is then.

Any ideas on good caddies? I'd be getting an IDE drive, is the Icy Box one on OcUK any good?

Cheers

cavemanoc · 4 May 2007 at 09:12

I've done exactly that, and really like the icy-box - the one touch backup is a nice feature (If I could be bothered to use it!) and it comes with a booster cable so you can draw power from to usb ports to power it if needs be!

Borden · 4 May 2007 at 15:01

Cheers for the input

I've been looking around a bit and the Icy Box looks like the best choice as it has an integrated cable. I know for a fact that i would forget the usb cable if i got one with a separate cable

It also looks the nicest and best built from what i've seen.

Cheers guys