7200 RPM in Macbook - Superior Drummer

[JazzyJ]

Hi all,

I'm about to get 'Superior Drummer' by Toontrack and will install the sound libraries on the system drive on my Macbook (5400 RPM stock drive).

I am thinking to upgrade my HD to have more space as Superior Drummer upacks to 60 GB and am wondering if there is any benefit in getting a 7200 rpm rather than a 5400?

Will a 7200 rpm internal drive make a big difference for running VI Drum modules?

or

are the sounds loaded into ram anyway and therefore the system drive speed is irrelevant?

I've heard various reports about heat and battery issues regarding 7200rpm drives in Macbooks but havn't found anything conclusive.

Any ideas or reccomendations??

[JrummerJ]

Hi there,

I have Superior, and unless you are getting all the expansion packs it shouldn't be 60GB. I think the main Sup 2.0 library is about 18-20GB. Anyway, I install my samples on my external hard drive. Since you already have an external drive (presumably since you are running pro tools) I would just put the samples there and stick with your current internal drive.

J

[JazzyJ]

Yes, thanks, I know about installing samples on external drives even though some programs don't even let you do it on OSX.....

But my question is not about locations to store samples, my question is about
5400 and 7200rpm system, internal drives on a macbook and the pros and cons of these drives regarding VI's.

Any info other than hearsay anyone?

[Tomas Chinchilla]

Absolutely 7200RPM, take the opportunity and upgrade. I personally would not do it on the original 5400RPM, I have the new macbook pro and upgraded the drive immediately, it makes quite a bit of a difference but then again there are people who don't see any.

The Black Scorpio from WD is the most stable one in my opinion, 320GB 7200RPM and it goes for about $110 to $120.

The Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200RPM is the best bang for the buck at $140 to $150 but but but, quite a few reported issues, clicking and very sensitive to movement. I personally experienced this as well and returned it, decided to go with the WD.

My 2 cents.

[Obsidian Dragon]

I suppose it should be fine to put a 7200 RPM drive in the Macbook. Hey Apple dose it too. As for brand, I can suggest looking at the ones from OWC at www.macsales.com. I use one of their external firewire drives and have been very happy with it. I may be wrong but I think they use Hitachi drives. The two concerns are heat and vibrations. Faster spinning drives potentially generate more heat but a properly installed drive shoule be fine in the macbook. The vibrations vary from drive to drive even at 5400RPM. I'll have to admit that the 5400 drive in my Macbook Pro is very quiet for now.

[hmorovic]

Originally Posted by Tomas Chinchilla

The Black Scorpio from WD is the most stable one in my opinion, 320GB 7200RPM and it goes for about $110 to $120.

The Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200RPM is the best bang for the buck at $140 to $150 but but but, quite a few reported issues, clicking and very sensitive to movement. I personally experienced this as well and returned it, decided to go with the WD.

My 2 cents.

Thanks a lot for the first hand information!

H.

[Tomas Chinchilla]

You are most definitely welcome.