Slow harddrive (7200rpm, 8MB cache)

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Chatbox · #1 Post by **Chatbox** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:11 am

I'm finding the harddrive a bit slow (ever since I first got my laptop). I'd like to know what's the best way to add fast storage to the laptop is. If I can add SATA drive (via external enclosure) then that'd be great.

Looking forward to some feedback, or better solution.

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:52 am

I started to think about setting up a raid o array, but I don't think a raid chipset is in the ThinkPad. Besides, that would permanently tie up your optical drive bay.

You can make sure your hard drive is set up to use DMA Mode 5 for fastest transfer speeds. Verify this in device manager under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers > Primary IDE Channel.

In general look for a laptop hard drive with the fastest spindle speed and highest buffer available. Search in Google for laptop hard drive reviews. SATA is probably not an option, but not knowing your laptop model, I can't say for sure.

I am pretty sure any external enclosure drive would be slower because of the connection choices available.

#3 Post by **jdhurst** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:23 am

How did you conclude that a 7200 rpm drive is slow?

I have a Hitachi 60Gb 7200-rpm drive in my T41 and it is very fast. The combination of Dothan and 7200 rpm makes this the fastest laptop I have ever used. And I know from putting the 7200 rpm drive in a T30 that it makes the T30 sing as well. ... JD Hurst

Chatbox · #4 Post by **Chatbox** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:27 am

GomJabbar wrote:I started to think about setting up a raid o array, but I don't think a raid chipset is in the ThinkPad. Besides, that would permanently tie up your optical drive bay.

You can make sure your hard drive is set up to use DMA Mode 5 for fastest transfer speeds. Verify this in device manager under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers > Primary IDE Channel.

In general look for a laptop hard drive with the fastest spindle speed and highest buffer available. Search in Google for laptop hard drive reviews. SATA is probably not an option, but not knowing your laptop model, I can't say for sure.

I am pretty sure any external enclosure drive would be slower because of the connection choices available.

Model: T41P, 2373-GGU. Upgraded to 1GB RAM.

Believe me, I've done all the obvious stuff. There's nothing more I can do to make the internal drive faster other than maybe getting a faster one if there's one.

Slow when compared to desktop SATA (with NCQ) drives. Need some out of the box thinking/solution here.

mjjones · #5 Post by **mjjones** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:25 am

jdhurst,

Did the Hitachi 60Gb 7200-rpm drive make your T30 more noisy than before. Does it buzz constantly or dos it remain most of the time unhearable.

I have a T30 which I love because of the low noise it makes (and of the quality of the keyboard and SXGA screen). Believe it has a Toshiba 5400 40 Go GAX drive.
I must replace the hard drive and I hesitated betwen the Hitachi 7200 rpm drive and 5400 80 Go drives like,

Disque 2.5" 80GB - 5400 HITACHI Travelstar 5K100 - 8MB
Disque 2.5" 80GB - 5400 Samsung SpinPoint M40 - 8MB
80GB - 5400 TOSHIBA [ MK8026GAX ]
80GB - 5400 WESTERN Scorpio (8MB) [WD800VE]

Would like low noise (no continuous buzz) without impairing performance too much. What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

#6 Post by **jdhurst** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:56 am

The 7200rpm drive that I put in the T30 was, in my recollection, very smooth and fast. I did not notice any untoward noises, and was exceedingly pleased that I had done it.

I sold the T30 and moved the drive along to my T41 where it expired in the AirBag fiasco. I have the Hitachi replacement in this machine now, and it is also smooth and quiet.

It's hard to say what any one drive will do, but I am certainly happy I use the faster drives. ... JD Hurst

mjjones · #7 Post by **mjjones** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:34 pm

Thank you very much JDHurst for all your information.

Had did quite a bit of research on this but viewed so many different conflicting opinions that I'd become a bit lost...

Aristotle11 · #8 Post by **Aristotle11** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:54 pm

If I may ask, what is the AirBag Fiasco?

sugo · #9 Post by **sugo** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:08 pm

this

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54259

emorphien · #10 Post by **emorphien** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:34 pm

The 60gb 7200 rpm drive is very speedy in my T43p, just as it was in my old Dell when I upgraded it with this drive. Quiet and smooth also are good descriptions.

If you've checked the settings, defragged and looked for anything running in the background that might eat it up maybe somethings wrong with your drive (?) or you just expect too much

Have you tested your speeds? Probably won't show anything but I figured I'd ask.

Slow harddrive (7200rpm, 8MB cache)

Slow harddrive (7200rpm, 8MB cache)

How noisy is the Hitachi 7200 rpm drive

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