Hard drive speeds - 5400 rpm vs 7200 rpm
 

Hi All,
I'm buying a new laptop (Alienware M14X) and it comes with a 1TB 5400 rpm hard drive. I will be using it for occasional gaming but primarily for work stuff and watching movies/tv shows. The types of games I play are anywhere from Diablo 3 to the Bioshock Infinite.

I know most people who don't know much are simply going to say faster is better therefore you must get it but is there really a big difference between a 1TB 5400 rpm vs a 750GB 7200 rpm hard drive? I can appreciate if I play a lot of games that it might make a difference but for what I will be using it for I can't see that it will matter too much.

Thanks for your comments.

You will notice the speed difference when it comes to load times for sure. At least I do.

Is there an SSD option? Might be worthwhile to look into a laptop that has two HDD bays.

If it doesn't have an option for SSD, get the cheaper one and put an SSD in yourself

ssd > all

I bet you can get a Asus g series of the price of that alienware and it would probably come with a ssd.

Not trying to do a comparison of an Alienware vs blah. Just trying to focus on the hard drives. Thanks for your insight though.

Definitely get an SSD. Lenovo has a pretty good deal on the Y400 if you're getting a gaming PC. I know the Alienwares seemed awfully expensive when I was looking at them with a buddy about a month ago.

IdeaPad Y400 14" Laptop | Shop | Lenovo | (CA)

Would recommend an Intel- or Marvel-controlled SSD as I've had fewer problems with them. Little pricier, but more reliable.

you can actually get the top of the line M14X right now for $923 off (total price $1299). The price is still pretty high but much lower than normal.

Alienware M14x gaming laptop details | Dell Canada

I have the M14x. The SSD option is a Samsung 830 series. In other words, just pick the cheapest hard drive option you can find, and then buy the Samsung yourself.

Yes, the loading time of anything will be significantly improve. I play D3, L4D, TF2 and CSGO on my laptop, all on the highest setting. I also will be playing the upcoming FF14 when it is out. :)

Use coupon QMLNCPHHBMDF1M to save $100. http://www.dell.com/ca/p/weekly-deals-2?~ck=mn This model becomes $1199.99+tax.

If he's stuck with spinners and doesn't want to go the SSD route, would the cache affect which speed to go with?

the 7200RPM would generate a lot more heat and noise vs the 5400RPM drive??

yes and drain the battery faster as well.

If this is your primary system, then you'll need storage.
If it's a new computer, I can't imagine not getting an SSD.

So if the laptop can handle 2 drives.
I would go with a fast SSD as the primary drive.
And go with a low RPM drive for your music and videos.

And like all computer stuff, back up your data.
Especially with a laptop since it is less durable than a desktop, more easily dropped or stolen.

Take a look at that video. Just replace your optical drive with a SSD, and install Windows on the SSD instead. As stated in the comments, warranty is not voided.

Make sure the laptop allows for 2hd, get the laptop with 5400rpm and install a 256GB Ssd yourself. That's what I did to on laptop notice a major difference when booting up.

swapping out the ODD for an SSD is a popular choice

I'd just get the 5400rpm version and do that

do you need some sort of bracket for the SSD to sit tightly int he optical drive bay?

Most require a caddy if I'm not mistaken, but you can always MacGyver something electrically friendly.

SSD, like everyone else. Spinning disk is time wasted on bootup.