Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Hard drive RPMs and data speed.

[Dale <rdalek1967@gmail.com>]

Volker Armin Hemmann wrote:
> Am Donnerstag 27 Oktober 2011, 13:09:17 schrieb Nikos Chantziaras:
>> On 10/27/2011 11:15 AM, Dale wrote:
>>> Howdy,
>>>
>>> I'm wanting to get a hard drive that is pretty good size. I'm looking
>>> for about 1 to 2TBs or so. Thing is, a lot of them seem to be 5900 or
>>> even 5400 rpm drives. I realize that the data on there is packed pretty
>>> tight so I want to ask a few people that may have one or more of these
>>> things a few questions. Are they as fast as a slower RPM drive?
>> I assume you meant to say "as fast as a faster RPM drive".  No, of
>> course not.  If we're speaking about the same capacity and amount of
>> platters, of course.  If we're not, then yes, they can be as fast
>> because of the higher data density.
>>
>>> Would
>>> they be fast enough to play HD videos and such? I have quite a few 1080
>>> HD videos. I don't want the drive to cause issues.
>> The transfer speed required for playing HD videos is virtually zero.
>> 1080p video compressed using an 8mbps rate require 2MB/s.  This can be
>> done even with the slowest drive from 10 years ago.  Today's slowest
>> drive are able to play about 40 or 50 of those HD video simultaneously.
>>    So the answer is yes.  They can play HD video :-)
>>
>> Most of those 5900/5400 disks are meant for pure data storage.  The
>> lower RPM is used to market them as "green and silent", meaning they
>> don't consume much power and aren't noisy.  Installing your OS on them
>> though isn't going to give you good speed.  They have good transfer
>> rates, but their access times usually suck.
>>
>>> Can someone that has one or more of these post their hdparm -Tt results?
>>> Different speeds would be great too. I'd like to compare what a 5400rpm
>>> drive would do compared to a 7200rpm drive.
>> Simply Google around for benchmarks of the drivers you're interested in.
>>    Note that is in area where it doesn't make any real difference that
>> the benches or reviews you find are performed under MS Windows.  The
>> results are applicable to every OS.
>>
>> As a rule of thumb when buying drives: if you want to install software
>> on it, buy an 7200RPM drive with good access times.  Of course they're
>> more expensive  If you just want to store all your downloaded HD porn
>> and music collection on it, a silent 5400RPM drive is a good choice.
>>
> indeed. Additionally they don't get really warm. Which reduces the overall
> thermal load in the case.
>
> One important thing:
>
> most if not all 2TB drives have 4K sectors, which means you have to be
> carefull while partitioning those beasts.


Looks like some good info.  I just need a GOOD sale and some extra money 
to spend.  Maybe in a couple weeks or so.  Hopefully. ;-)

As for heat in my case, I have a Cooler Master HAF-932 case.  It has 
those huge 230mm fans.  Heat is not a problem.

I just wonder how much data they will be able to pack into a 3.5" drive 
tho.  Hmmmmm.  Surely they will run out of room at some point.  I mean, 
the heads have got to have a little room to work with.

Dale

:-)  :-)