Hard drive question

wbh216 · 10th February 2012

I'm working on getting my MacBook (mid-2010 white unibody) fast enough to run PT10. Since this model has no firewire ports, I can't record onto an external drive. So I'm planning on removing the optical drive to install a second hard drive. My question is whether I can continue using my current hard drive (5400-rpm), either to run the program or to store audio, along with a new 7200 rpm hard drive, or if both drives need to be 7200 rpm? Thanks for your help.

cut · 10th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbh216

I'm working on getting my MacBook (mid-2010 white unibody) fast enough to run PT10. Since this model has no firewire ports, I can't record onto an external drive. So I'm planning on removing the optical drive to install a second hard drive. My question is whether I can continue using my current hard drive (5400-rpm), either to run the program or to store audio, along with a new 7200 rpm hard drive, or if both drives need to be 7200 rpm? Thanks for your help.

When you mean 'store' you mean not for active playback or record .... correct? Your hard drive will not have a great life span if you use it to playback audio. I would recommend only using the 7200 drive. To be honest, it sounds like a recipe for disaster overall.

wbh216 · 10th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by cut

When you mean 'store' you mean not for active playback or record .... correct? Your hard drive will not have a great life span if you use it to playback audio. I would recommend only using the 7200 drive. To be honest, it sounds like a recipe for disaster overall.

Right, I'm wondering if I can use one internal drive to run the program and a second internal drive for record/playback. Also whether they both need to be 7200 rpm?

Darenzo · 10th February 2012

I would Go for a solid state drive if your budget will allow it...

or if not nothing less than 7200 speed drive..

wbh216 · 10th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darenzo

I would Go for a solid state drive if your budget will allow it...

or if not nothing less than 7200 speed drive..

Budget won't allow for SSD unfortunately. Do both drives need to be 7200?

cut · 11th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbh216

Budget won't allow for SSD unfortunately. Do both drives need to be 7200?

i don't believe so, but i would still get the 7200. 5400 is really slow.

Demor · 11th February 2012

I thought disk speed was a moot point since disk-cache was introduced.

psycho_monkey · 11th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demor

I thought disk speed was a moot point since disk-cache was introduced.

Disk cache is hd/cptk only.

psycho_monkey · 11th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by cut

When you mean 'store' you mean not for active playback or record .... correct? Your hard drive will not have a great life span if you use it to playback audio. I would recommend only using the 7200 drive. To be honest, it sounds like a recipe for disaster overall.

Overall, the idea is fine. Personally, if you're looking to save a few quid going for a cheap drive, I'd say your daft - just get the faster one.

However, if you've already got a 5400 system drive, that'll be fine. Just get a faster drive for audio.

Demor · 11th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Disk cache is hd/cptk only.

OK, didn't know that......

Lex A · 15th February 2012

7200 speed will make a big difference in the performance...of the drive....there is no comparison..

anodecathode · 15th February 2012

I replaced my optical and internal system drive on my MBP with 7200 rpm 500GB Seagate Barracudas. The only reason that I got rid of the 5400 rpm Hitachi Deskstar (or Death Star as they are notoriously called) is because it's a terrible HD and is well known for it's failure rate. (Myself and a few friends have personally experienced failures with this drive, albeit the 3.5" version.) It is also unfortunately what Apple puts in all of their computers and is always the first thing I replace. (memory is the second) Do a Google search for death star HDD, or iMac hard drive failure.
I've been using this cool little optical replacement kit for about a year now and the only disadvantage that I've noticed is that the fan operates more frequently at higher speeds, which is not a big deal because it's a fairly quiet fan anyway. The kit itself is very easy to install, with the worst part being disconnecting and reconnecting the ribbon cables. I'm sure that you can leave the Deskstar in there but if you already have the MBP taken apart why not head off possible drive reliability problems at the pass and replace it?
Just my $.02

10th February 2012	#1
wbh216 Gear interested Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	Hard drive question I'm working on getting my MacBook (mid-2010 white unibody) fast enough to run PT10. Since this model has no firewire ports, I can't record onto an external drive. So I'm planning on removing the optical drive to install a second hard drive. My question is whether I can continue using my current hard drive (5400-rpm), either to run the program or to store audio, along with a new 7200 rpm hard drive, or if both drives need to be 7200 rpm? Thanks for your help.

15th February 2012	#11
Lex A Gear Head Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 41	HD SPees 7200 speed will make a big difference in the performance...of the drive....there is no comparison.. __________________ Can't afford all the expensive hardware?....Try this www.musicmakeronline.info

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10th February 2012	#4
Darenzo Gear Head Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Totnes Devon UK Posts: 37	I would Go for a solid state drive if your budget will allow it... or if not nothing less than 7200 speed drive..

11th February 2012	#7
Demor Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 598 1 Review written	I thought disk speed was a moot point since disk-cache was introduced.

15th February 2012	#12
anodecathode Gear Head Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 39	I replaced my optical and internal system drive on my MBP with 7200 rpm 500GB Seagate Barracudas. The only reason that I got rid of the 5400 rpm Hitachi Deskstar (or Death Star as they are notoriously called) is because it's a terrible HD and is well known for it's failure rate. (Myself and a few friends have personally experienced failures with this drive, albeit the 3.5" version.) It is also unfortunately what Apple puts in all of their computers and is always the first thing I replace. (memory is the second) Do a Google search for death star HDD, or iMac hard drive failure. I've been using this cool little optical replacement kit for about a year now and the only disadvantage that I've noticed is that the fan operates more frequently at higher speeds, which is not a big deal because it's a fairly quiet fan anyway. The kit itself is very easy to install, with the worst part being disconnecting and reconnecting the ribbon cables. I'm sure that you can leave the Deskstar in there but if you already have the MBP taken apart why not head off possible drive reliability problems at the pass and replace it? Just my $.02