Why can't they make a 2-speed hard drive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Johnny Hageyama
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Johnny Hageyama

I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed. I realize
that changing the speed would probably require losing all the data,
but some people don't need 7200 RPM and would prefer lower power
consumption for less heat generation, but brand new 5400 RPM drives
are no longer available
 
Because there is no reason for such a feature, and would probably add
significantly to the cost. Overheating is a non-problem (assuming you have
provided adequate cooling and air circulation inside your case), while the
extra speed is a desirable performance feature. As for extra power
consumption, you'll never notice it on your electric bill, and if you power
supply has sufficient wattage, you'll never notice it there either. I always
use at least 350 watts in any computer I build.
 
On 8 Nov 2003 23:05:14 -0800
I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed. I realize
that changing the speed would probably require losing all the data,
but some people don't need 7200 RPM and would prefer lower power
consumption for less heat generation, but brand new 5400 RPM drives
are no longer available
Click to expand...

What on Earth has led you to believe that brand new 5400 RPM drives are
no longer available. Look for Maxtor Diamondmax 9 (not Plus 9, just 9)
or Maxline II (not Plus II) or Samsung Spinpoint V.
 
Papa said:
Because there is no reason for such a feature, and would probably add
significantly to the cost. Overheating is a non-problem (assuming you have
provided adequate cooling and air circulation inside your case), while the
extra speed is a desirable performance feature. As for extra power
consumption, you'll never notice it on your electric bill, and if you power
supply has sufficient wattage, you'll never notice it there either. I always
use at least 350 watts in any computer I build.
Click to expand...

Doesnt have a damned thing to do with the power supply wattage.

The power you pay for is just the power requirements of stuff you
have powered from it, multiplied by the efficiency of the power supply.
 
You probably misunderstood my meaning. Some of these systems with 150 watt
power supplies and overloaded with devices will bog down anything -
including HDs. That was what I meant when I was referring to power supplies.
 
Previously Johnny Hageyama said:
I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed. I realize
that changing the speed would probably require losing all the data,
but some people don't need 7200 RPM and would prefer lower power
consumption for less heat generation, but brand new 5400 RPM drives
are no longer available
Click to expand...

The problem is that the head-interface is not very flexible.
Basically the heads are pushed against the platters with springs.
When the platters move the heads ride on air-cushions. If
the drive moves at the wrong speed the heads could crash
far more easily and other stability problems might arise.

With the newer fluid-bearings the problem becomes more severe.
They are also designed for a specific speed and do not work
as well at other speeds.

As far as I know there is a whole line of 5400rpm drives by Maxtor.
Their largest Model (300GB) is only available in 5400rpm as
far as I am aware.

Arno
 
I understood you the first time.
Dave
Papa said:
You probably misunderstood my meaning. Some of these systems with 150 watt
power supplies and overloaded with devices will bog down anything -
including HDs. That was what I meant when I was referring to power supplies.
Click to expand...
 
[This followup was posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage and a copy
was sent to the cited author.]

I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed. I realize
that changing the speed would probably require losing all the data,
but some people don't need 7200 RPM and would prefer lower power
consumption for less heat generation, but brand new 5400 RPM drives
are no longer available
Click to expand...

???? Have you checked the manufactures web sites? 5400rpm drives are VERY
common. Most of the biggest capacity and value-oriented drives are 5400.
One of the reasons is that they run cooler (fewer fans, less noise) and
are generally quieter (although most 7200's are pretty quiet these days.)

To me, a variable speed drive might make more sense for a laptop or
other low-power-requirement device. You may no know, but many laptop
drives still run at 4200. Back in the dark ages of computers, hard drives
ran at 3600rpm.
 
Because there is no reason for such a feature, and would probably add
significantly to the cost. Overheating is a non-problem (assuming you have
provided adequate cooling and air circulation inside your case), while the
extra speed is a desirable performance feature. As for extra power
consumption, you'll never notice it on your electric bill, and if you power
supply has sufficient wattage, you'll never notice it there either. I always
use at least 350 watts in any computer I build.
Click to expand...

Overheating CAN be a problem. I read an article in the latest PCMag
(11/98/03 issue I think) where they did a story on two data recover
services. One of them mentioned an increase in drives damaged by
overheating.
 
I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed. I realize
that changing the speed would probably require losing all the data,
but some people don't need 7200 RPM and would prefer lower power
consumption for less heat generation, but brand new 5400 RPM drives
are no longer available
Click to expand...

You have a choice of two speeds, 7200 or 0.


-Barry
========
Web page: http://members.optusnet.com.au/~barry.og
Atheist, radio scanner, LIPD information.
 
You probably misunderstood my meaning.
Click to expand...

Nope. I certainly didnt misunderstand what you SAID.

It is just plain wrong.
Some of these systems with 150 watt power supplies and
overloaded with devices will bog down anything - including HDs.
That was what I meant when I was referring to power supplies.
Click to expand...

Then you said it very badly indeed.
 
Andrew Rossmann said:
Overheating CAN be a problem. I read an article in the latest PCMag
(11/98/03 issue I think) where they did a story on two data recover
services. One of them mentioned an increase in drives damaged by
overheating.
Click to expand...

That would be a rather silly way to deal with overheating tho.

Makes a hell of a lot more sense to get a better case etc.
 
Johnny Hageyama said:
I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during
normal operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM
or 7200 RPM operation, much the way head seek speed can be
programmed. I realize that changing the speed would probably
require losing all the data, but some people don't need 7200 RPM
and would prefer lower power consumption for less heat generation,
but brand new 5400 RPM drives are no longer available
Click to expand...

Yes they are, most obviously from Samsung.

The short story is that two speed drives are technically difficult.
 
Papa said:
Because there is no reason for such a feature, and would probably add
significantly to the cost. Overheating is a non-problem (assuming you
have provided adequate cooling and air circulation inside your case),
Click to expand...
while the extra speed is a desirable performance feature.
Click to expand...

What extra speed?
Lower rpm drives usually have higher density platters to compensate.
 
Johnny Hageyama said:
I don't mean a one that frequently speeds up and down during normal
operation but one that can be programmed for 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM
operation, much the way head seek speed can be programmed.
Click to expand...
I realize that changing the speed would
probably require losing all the data,
Click to expand...

Well, after teaching the heads to fly at the same height at both
speeds that should be a minor problem if not non-existing.
 
What extra speed?
Lower rpm drives usually have higher density platters to compensate.
Click to expand...

Completely clueless.

So the higher RPM is just there for the rev heads eh ?
 
Overheating CAN be a problem. I read an article in the latest PCMag
(11/98/03 issue I think) where they did a story on two data recover
services. One of them mentioned an increase in drives damaged by
overheating.
Click to expand...

It can, but it can be a problem with 5400 RPM drives just as much as
with 7200 RPM drives--with inadequate cooling either can overheat. All
else being identical, a 7200 RPM drive does need more cooling than a
5400, though, and this is one reason that they are still available--the
5400s are often found in consumer devices such as Tivos where quiet
operation is more important than speed.
 
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