Seagate Momentus 7200.4 320GB noise & vibration?

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Seagate Momentus 7200.4 320GB noise & vibration?

Anybody here is using this HD (it's not 7200.3!! It's 320GB 7200.4 version). I am wondering if it produces noticeable noise or vibration or high temperature in the Macbook pro.

I am considering WD Scorpio Blue 500GB 5400 RPM or this Seagate Momentus 7200.4 320GB. I've read some tests results that it outperforms other competitors, including the WD 500GB one. But I am concerned about the temperature, vibration, or noise.

Any input would be much appreciated!! Thanks again.

MBP 2.4G, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 13, 2009 1:59 PM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

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Jun 13, 2009 3:00 PM in response to fishsam

I put a Seagate 7200.4 500GB in this a while back and I've not noticed any difference from what was there before ... no more noise or vibration, the head parking sound could be slightly louder though.

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Answer 2

fishsam Author

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Jun 13, 2009 3:16 PM in response to iVmichael

Hi thanks for your input. Btw, how old is your laptop? I just noticed that my MBP is late 2007 model, so the hard drive is SATA (not SATA2), will the sata2 hard drive work on my mbp? Will it cause any problem? I have no clue about this....

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Answer 3

iVmichael

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Jun 13, 2009 3:29 PM in response to fishsam

This one's a late 2008 Unibody.

Pre 2006 are ATA, everything after is SATA, this drive would work fine in your MBP
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Seagate/ST9500420AS/

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Answer 4

MacRS4

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Jun 13, 2009 3:31 PM in response to iVmichael

You may find this comparison useful? http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/Entries/2009/6/13Macbook_Pro_Hard_DiskUpgrade.html

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Answer 5

fishsam Author

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Jun 13, 2009 3:45 PM in response to iVmichael

So, the SATA2（ 3g/s) hard drive could be working on my mbp with SATA(1.5g/b) interface without any problem? I guess it might slow down the performance of the hard drive a little bit?

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Answer 6

MacRS4

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Jun 13, 2009 3:47 PM in response to fishsam

Sure, the drives are backward compatible so you shouldn't have any problems there.

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Answer 7

iVmichael

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Jun 13, 2009 3:54 PM in response to fishsam

The drives are backward compatible (I think there's also a jumper where you can force it into slower operation) and I've seen test results that get closer to 2GB/s in this scenario ...

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Answer 8

fishsam Author

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Jun 13, 2009 8:01 PM in response to iVmichael

that's great! I was just worried if I could find a hard drive that is SATA Interface...thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it.

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Answer 9

fishsam Author

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Jun 13, 2009 8:46 PM in response to iVmichael

By the way, do you know what the difference between 7200.3 and 7200.4 (the same capacity, 320GB)?? I have no idea....

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Answer 10

fishsam Author

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Jun 13, 2009 8:57 PM in response to iVmichael

Would it be any problem if I don't switch the jumper as you mentioned?

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Answer 11

iVmichael

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Jun 14, 2009 4:11 AM in response to fishsam

No it will just transfer data at the slower speed.

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Answer 12

fishsam Author

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Jun 14, 2009 5:18 AM in response to iVmichael

Are you saying that it actually makes no difference whether to adjust the jumper or not? It will transfer data at a lower speed in either way...right?

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Answer 13

MacRS4

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Jun 14, 2009 5:20 AM in response to fishsam

Yes - I constantly move drives between the two standards and rarely have a problem. I say rarely cos I don't want to tempt providence by saying 'never' 🙂

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Answer 14

fishsam Author

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Jun 14, 2009 2:40 PM in response to iVmichael

Just read a news about the new released MBP last week.... Apple has changed its interface from SATA GB/s backward to 1.5 GB/s... it doesn't announce it publicly, but some lab test results found this!! I don't really understand what Apple is thinking about, while the current HD on the market are all SATA 3GB/s ..... any input?

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Answer 15

iVmichael

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Jun 14, 2009 3:27 PM in response to fishsam

It's a backward step in my view, I'd assume done to save a few cents on manufacturing costs, I'm glad this one is 3GB/s and I put the 500GB/7200rpm in when I did.

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