External Hard Drive speeds
Can someone explain to me the extreme difference in speed between this drive
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202507413&adid=17070&dcaid=17070
and this one.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202009423&adid=17653&dcaid=17653
I bought the first one seeing the USB 2.0 and then realized its transfer rate is only 60 MB/s. That is just poking slow compared to the second drive which uses USB 2.0 to its fullest bandwidth. Certainly the 5400 RPM doesn't make all the difference...?
Anyway, I got an RMA for the first drive and will buy another one with more care, but I certainly am curious why the speed differential between two USB 2.0 external hard drives. I just can't believe hard drive speed is the reason, but perhaps I am wrong. But how could I be wrong about that. Laptops still use 5400 RPM drives. Not so fast anymore but not 60 MB/s either...
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202507413&adid=17070&dcaid=17070
and this one.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202009423&adid=17653&dcaid=17653
I bought the first one seeing the USB 2.0 and then realized its transfer rate is only 60 MB/s. That is just poking slow compared to the second drive which uses USB 2.0 to its fullest bandwidth. Certainly the 5400 RPM doesn't make all the difference...?
Anyway, I got an RMA for the first drive and will buy another one with more care, but I certainly am curious why the speed differential between two USB 2.0 external hard drives. I just can't believe hard drive speed is the reason, but perhaps I am wrong. But how could I be wrong about that. Laptops still use 5400 RPM drives. Not so fast anymore but not 60 MB/s either...
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Yea, like he said....
ASKER
I assumed that was why laptop drives were still 5400 RPM. Mine still gets hot enough ;-)
Thanks for the explanation on the MB/s versus Mb/s. Makes it all clear now. I'll split points since you both posted at the same time and had the same answer.
Thanks for the explanation on the MB/s versus Mb/s. Makes it all clear now. I'll split points since you both posted at the same time and had the same answer.
Many laptop drives (in my experience MOST) are 5400 due to lower noise and power requirements as well as lower cost and heat dissipation.
Some newer laptops are now featuring 7200 rpm drives but from my viewpoint these are limited to some higher-end models that have the power and heat dissipation "budget" to support the faster/hotter drives.
Some newer laptops are now featuring 7200 rpm drives but from my viewpoint these are limited to some higher-end models that have the power and heat dissipation "budget" to support the faster/hotter drives.