HDDs: USB 3.0 5400 RPM vs. USB 2.0 7400 RPM

[Dorianking]

So I recently bought from NewEgg: Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Link: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148848&AID=10657534&PID=749547&SID=forums&nm_mc=AFC-C8junctionCA

I had originally thought the drive inside was 7200RPM, however I have come to learn that it is not (source: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ne-seagate-expansion-2tb-usb-3-0-desktop-external-hard-drive-100-fs-1203843/#post15079547). Whether it is reliable or not. I have no idea, HOWEVER the issue is no longer that but is it worth to return the drive and in the future, just buy a 7200RPM with just USB 2.0. Of course, naturally, I could just buy a 7200RPM drive and insert it into a USB 3.0 casing but cost effective wise, is it worth it. I got the above drive for all in $101 (taxes and s&h included). Mine is still sealed so I can easily return it, but of course I would have to pay for shipping and etc which I don't know if it is worth it. This is why I am asking for people's opinion.

On a side note, the computer this drive would be extended to the Lenovo Y580 so that would probably be the USB 3.0 port I would use if that matters at all.

[Amourek]

A 5400rpm drive on USB 3.0 is much faster than a 7200rpm drive on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is a huge bottleneck that limits drives to about ~35MB/s.

[Dorianking]

I'm aware of that and I kind of understand. But I guess my main concern is:

Is it worth it to return my 5400RPM USB 3.0 hard-drive and just wait for a 7200RPM drive (external or bare) and just replace it with a USB 3.0 casing (if it is external) and be the same price or better. Obviously as time goes by, it only gets cheaper so I'm talking about within the next month or so.

[xalex0]

You won't get it cheaper than this one within the next month or so.

[george__]

USB 3.0 --- USB 2.0 will bottleneck the drive.

Or

(IF you don't care too much about warranty)

Buy whatever is cheaper then put it inside a external case with esata or usb 3.0 and you are GOOD to GO!

[wilsonlam97]

Just get a external USB3.0 enclosure.

[xalex0]

The OP has got USB3.0 already. He wants 7200RPM for $100 all in.

[george__]

The OP has got USB3.0 already. He wants 7200RPM.

If the OP is dealing with lots of SMALL files instead of LARGE files, OP won't notice the difference. Also a 7200 RPM drive will run much hotter than a 5400 rpm. So a 7200 RPM drive inside a external enclosure (and a lot of enclosures have no fan) isn't a smart idea...

Here's some reading :D

http://dalvenjah.foxfire.net/2010/01/5400rpm-vs-7200rpm-hard-disks-should-you-care/



Save the money OP

[toalan]

On USb 3.0 with a 2tb 5400 HDD I can do reads and writes around 100-125 Mbps. With a SSD + USB 3.0, I can do about 150 Mbps. I see benchmarks of high end USB 3.0 SSDs and they can do 200-300 Mbps, so my guess is that my enclosure is the weak link. You might find out that your enclosure is the limiting factor and putting in a 7200 RPM HDD in there will net you no improvement. It is also possible that the USB 3.0 controller on your laptop is the limiting factor, and there is nothing you can do about that.

[Dorianking]

I will most likely keep my 2TB hard-drive, it just seems to much of a hassle to return it and continue to wait.