hi, im not sure how hard drive speed effects performance

[dazwan]

i have got the laptop VGN-FE41Z, and it has a 200GB hard drive operating at 4200RPM it is serial ATA,
another laptop i saw was 160GB hard drive operating at 7200RPM and it was SATA,
would the 7200RPM made a HUGE NOTICIBLE difference and can u define SATA and serial ATA and information linked to this post please? :smileygrin:

thanks in advance, Darren

edit: also, is 200GB the *largest* available hard drive on laptops?

[rich912]

Hi dazwan,

As far as I am aware to install a SATA drive as a replacement for a PATA IDE drive requires a IDE to Serial ATA converter. This may be practical for a desktop but I doubt that you would have the room in a notebook although external USB devices are available.

There would be an increase in performance from both the spindle speed and the SATA technology. You could of course upgrade to a 7200 rpm IDE drive (I’ve have done this) which would give better access speed, but if you use your notebook without AC connected then be prepared for shorter battery time. You will also possibly notice a slightly higher running temperature and increased noise (although I have not noticed the latter).

For further reading have a look here .

[kee-lo_]

Remember that performance isn't just about hard disk speed, the CPU, and memory have to be fast too, and there has to be a motherboard to handle all this without bottlenecks.