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General discussion

does the external have to match the laptop spindle speed??

Sep 6, 2006 12:22PM PDT

Im looking to get an external for back-up and extra space. My laptop is 7200. Question is: does the external need to be the same or is 5400 ok? If it differs, will it be problematic?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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No need to match spindle speeds...and if reasonably handy
Sep 6, 2006 1:49PM PDT

you get better choices if you assemble your own external...you pick the hard drive...the speed, the warranty and the enclosure...USB or Firewire or both.

VAPCMD

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wow! tho not really tech savy
Sep 8, 2006 2:33PM PDT

thanks everyone! i appreciate it!

i'm new to the electronics having been such a ludite for years.....what would building my own entail? just curious.

also, how is it that it doesnt have to match speeds? it guy said better to match it up so it wouldnt be slow when running backups.

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Slowest is limiting factor
Sep 8, 2006 3:16PM PDT

In your scenario, the comparatively slow speed of the USB interface in between the two HD's is the limiting factor.

Internal HD --- USB interface --- External HD

Just get a 3.5" internal hard disk that fits your stoarage need and budget, and install it in an external enclosure. Get a 7200rpm drive with at least 8MB cache so you can take advantage of its faster speed if you want to make it an internal HD in the future.

I am fearing that the IT guy wants you to purchase a more expensive 2.5" HD. No?

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Never. More...
Sep 6, 2006 9:25PM PDT

And the video card RAM doesn't have to match what the CPU uses either.

I wonder who starts such rumors.

Bob