Which 2.5 Sata Drive?

Buchanan0204 · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:59

I'm currently stuck between two drives.

The Samsung SpinPoint M7 250GB & the Seagate Momentus 7200.4

The Seagate is a 7200RPM drive compared to the 5400RPM of the Samsung. However the seek time on the Samsung is 2 seconds lower than that of the Seagate.

I'm leading towards the seagate regardless. It also has more cache.

Looking at the next Seagate up. It's 1 penny more and I can't see any difference except it's a 5400RPM drive with half the cache. Why would this be a penny more?

Cheers.

Philtor · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:01

Have you looked at the Western Digital Scorpio Black? They are solid drives and 7200RPM too.

Buchanan0204 · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:11

philtorrens said:
Have you looked at the Western Digital Scorpio Black? They are solid drives and 7200RPM too.

Ah, sorry I should have mentioned. It's not for me and the budget is £35. I always personally go for the blacks myself, just for the fact it's a 5 year warranty.

Philtor · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:15

I see

Best to just go with the fastest HDD then (Momentus) as they both have a 3 year warranty anyway.

Buchanan0204 · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:43

philtorrens said:
I see Best to just go with the fastest HDD then (Momentus) as they both have a 3 year warranty anyway.

So the Samsung having a lower seek time would still make the Seagate the quicker drive?

Philtor · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:50

I see what your saying. Does sound strange doesn't it as you would expect the 7200RPM drive to have the lower seek time :confused:

Perhaps the figures are not accurate?

AbsenceJam · 14 Jun 2011 at 16:28

Ignore any manufacturer listed specs for drives, a 7200rpm has faster seeks.

The 320GB Hitachi TRAVELSTAR Z7K320 would be my recommendation, quick single platter disk and should be in-budget.

Buchanan0204 · 14 Jun 2011 at 17:51

AbsenceJam said:
Ignore any manufacturer listed specs for drives, a 7200rpm has faster seeks.

The 320GB Hitachi TRAVELSTAR Z7K320 would be my recommendation, quick single platter disk and should be in-budget.

I think I'll stick to the Seagate. I've had a drawer full of failed 2.5 Hitachi drives in the past. I wouldn't put one in my system if you paid me.