Does RPM matter for backups?

[sammytheman]

Hi guys I am running out of space!!!!! I want to buy the cheapest HD over 1 terabyte that will give me good performance. For example, I want to double click on the HD and not wait 15 seconds for it to open. I am confused if higher RPM means just that; faster access to HD. I have this in my mind:

SAMSUNG EcoGreen F3 HD203WI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive for $140

Another question I have is when I download something, it is downloaded to my primary drive and everytime I have to copy it to my secondary drive and delete it from my primary drive, since I am running out of space. Is it possible to download data directly to any of my 3 drives? Thanks.

 

[tremmor]

the rpm will make a diff. Check at newegg.com
I have wd and barracuda's.

the default directory for downloading is the primary.
this can be changed like in firefox, Tools then options.
just point to the directory. i created a directory on D: called download. i point to that.

 

[Aastii]

the rpm will make a diff. Check at newegg.com
I have wd and barracuda's.

I sort of agree. If you are only storing music, films, photos, files etc, it won't matter at all, even HD videos streaming won't put the hard drive close to its limit. So long as your main drive is fast enough for what you need, that is fine, just put programs and such on that.

I have a similar setup running, however now my storage drive is smaller than my main drive which is sort of counter intuitive. My main is 500GB Samsung F3, my storage is 200GB 5400RPM 8mb (I think) cache Maxtor drive that I took out of an old, dead HP system and it runs fine. I keep all my music, college stuff, videos, backed up games (as in the files for them, not the actual games) etc on it and retreival is fine. I also store videos that I record and when they are streaming straight to it, they are fast enough so really, no, your storage drive doesn't need to be blisteringly fast at all

As to the directory, by default it will usually put the data to your main drive. For downloads, change it in your browser settings to put them there, for installations, when prompted for the directory, change it to storage, just use common sense with it basically

 

[Nightrain]

If you have the drive set to spin down when it hasn't been used for a while then it's going to take time before you can access it regardless of spindle speed.

 

[PohTayToez]

If you have the drive set to spin down when it hasn't been used for a while then it's going to take time before you can access it regardless of spindle speed.

Not a great idea, the constant spinning up and down can reduce the life expectancy of the hard drive.