External Hard Drive, 5400 vs 7200 RPM

jeyges

Distinguished
May 15, 2008
45
0
18,530
I'm looking at two external hard drives:

WD My Passport Ultra, 1TB, 5,400 rpm, 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.62

G-Tech G-Drive slim, 500GB, 7,200 rpm, 5.08 x 3.23 x 0.39

I understand that transfer rate is a function not merely of rotational speed, but of platter density as well, which is affected by platter size as well as capacity. I'd ordinarily assume the platters were the same size in devices in this category, but as the G-Tech is significantly slimmer than the WD, I don't know if this also affects platter density, or if it simply means the housing has less shock-absorbing capability.

Given the differences in specs, will the G-Drive be significantly faster than the WD? I'd be using it for backup and occasional transportation of files. (Also, opinions concerning build quality, reliability of brand, quality of tech support, etc. would be appreciated. I have no experience with G-Tech).

Thank you.
 

molletts

Distinguished
Jun 16, 2009
477
4
19,165
I'd go for the WD one. It wouldn't surprise me if it has faster transfer rates than the G-Tech one simply by virtue of its higher density. It's also from WD, which on its own would decide the matter for me were I to be offered a choice between these two - I've never heard of G-Tech and I don't know whose drives they use or what their support is like. As you won't be running an OS or applications off the drive, the rotation rate doesn't really matter - its primary effect is on random access time. I've also had compatibility issues with 7200rpm USB drives - some PCs can't provide enough power for them, especially through their front USB ports so you end up having to use a power adaptor or getting supplementary power from a second USB port.
 

jeyges

Distinguished
May 15, 2008
45
0
18,530


I should have specified that I have a MacBook (I don't really like it and I run Windows on it alongside OS X, but there it is). G-Tech drives are actually designed to work with Macs (although they can be formatted to work with Windows, of course), so powering it wouldn't be a problem, and they're well-regarded in terms of quality - but if the WD, by virtue of its size, would have a higher density and therefore a higher throughput rate in real time, that's the most important consideration.

 

molletts

Distinguished
Jun 16, 2009
477
4
19,165
Having rummaged around online, it looks like raw sequential read/write performance is pretty similar for both drives so it boils down to which one you prefer - the bigger one or the specifically Mac-oriented one. It sounds like the G-Tech one has a mostly-aluminium case so that would score on build quality (or, at least, perceived build quality) versus the WD's plastic case.

I don't know what WD's support is like for Mac users but I've never had any problems with them as a Linux user (which is even more "niche"!) unlike some companies who simply say, "We don't support Linux," even when the issue is nothing to do with the OS in use. It's a brand I trust but I can understand why a Mac user might prefer to go with a drive from a "Mac specialist" over a drive that "also works with Macs".
 

jeyges

Distinguished
May 15, 2008
45
0
18,530
I should have thanked you earlier for your answers. I just ended up with a 500GB My Passport Ultra. Microcenter was clearing them out, and I had a coupon, so it ended up costing me $35.

Thanks again.