Hard disk drive (HDD) speed, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), is an important factor that affects the drive’s performance and responsiveness. Most consumer HDDs today come in either 5400RPM or 7200RPM variants. The RPM speed determines how fast the platters inside the HDD spin, which in turn affects how quickly data can be read from or written to them.
HDDs with higher RPM speeds generally have faster access times and better data transfer rates. However, faster HDDs also tend to generate more heat, use more power, and produce more noise. So there are tradeoffs to consider when choosing between 5400RPM and 7200RPM HDDs.
This article provides an in-depth comparison of 7200RPM and 5400RPM hard drives. It examines the performance differences, power consumption, noise levels, reliability, and pricing between the two speed classes. We’ll also provide recommendations for which RPM HDD is best suited for different use cases.
What is Spindle Speed?
Spindle speed refers to the rotational speed of a hard disk drive’s spindle measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). The spindle is the central shaft in the hard drive that rotates the platters containing the data. A faster rotational speed means data can be accessed quicker.
Spindle speed directly correlates with the hard drive’s performance and speed. The faster the platters spin, the faster data can be written or read from the surface. Higher RPM drives typically have faster access times and data transfer rates.
Traditional consumer hard drives often have spindle speeds of 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM. Server drives can have speeds of 10,000 RPM or 15,000 RPM for even better performance. The tradeoff is that higher spindle speeds require more power, generate more heat, and produce more noise from the mechanical motion.
7200RPM Drives
7200RPM hard drives feature faster rotational speeds compared to 5400RPM drives, resulting in quicker data access and overall better performance [1]. The faster spinning platters allow for faster read and write speeds, lower latency, and snappier loading times.
7200RPM drives excel in desktop PCs and workstations where performance is critical. The faster speeds make them ideal for tasks like gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, and other performance-intensive applications [2].
Popular 7200RPM hard drive models include the Seagate BarraCuda, Western Digital Black, and Toshiba X300. The Seagate BarraCuda line offers capacities up to 8TB along with cache sizes up to 256MB. The Western Digital Black drives are optimized for heavier computing tasks and come in capacities up to 6TB [3].
5400RPM Drives
5400rpm hard drives are designed to offer quiet and cool operation while providing ample storage capacities at budget-friendly price points. They excel in general home and office use cases where performance is not the top priority.
Some of the key features and benefits of 5400rpm drives include:
- Lower power consumption and operating temperatures compared to 7200rpm drives, allowing for quieter and cooler operation.
- Generally lower cost per gigabyte of storage capacity.
- Well-suited for secondary data storage, backups, media libraries, and other applications where maximum performance is not critical.
Top 5400rpm hard drive models for desktop use include:
- Seagate Barracuda – Available in capacities up to 8TB with 64MB cache. Offers a balance of value and reliable performance. (1)
- Western Digital Blue – Capacities up to 6TB and cache up to 256MB. Known for cool, quiet operation.
- Toshiba P300 – Up to 3TB capacity. Budget-friendly option good for everyday computing.
Performance Comparison
When looking at synthetic benchmarks, 7200RPM drives consistently outperform 5400RPM drives in measures like sequential read/write speeds, random access times, and overall throughput. For example, tests have shown average sequential read speeds of 120-150MB/s on 7200RPM drives compared to 80-100MB/s on 5400RPM drives (Source). Random access times are typically around 8-9ms for 7200RPM and 9-11ms for 5400RPM.
However, in real-world usage the performance difference is less noticeable, especially for general computing tasks. Most everyday workflows involve a mix of sequential and random operations. The larger caches on newer 5400RPM drives help narrow the gap in random I/O performance (Source). For things like launching applications, loading files, or booting up, many users report small if any perceivable difference between the two speeds.
The more sequential heavy the workload, the bigger the performance advantage 7200RPM drives demonstrate. This is seen most in file transfer speeds when reading/writing large files, as well as in professional media editing workflows. For gaming and running demanding software, 7200RPM drives can provide a slight edge in load times.
In summary, 7200RPM objectively has better performance metrics, but is not necessarily a transformative difference at normal HDD capacities for general use. For power users that do heavy file operations or workloads sensitive to storage speed, the extra speed of 7200RPM drives is more impactful.
Power and Noise
7200 RPM hard drives generally consume more power than 5400 RPM drives. This is because the platter spins faster in a 7200 RPM drive, requiring more energy to maintain that speed. According to tests by Unraid Forum, a Western Digital Red 6TB 7200 RPM drive consumed around 6.5 Watts at idle versus 4.5 Watts for a WD Red 5400 RPM drive.
The faster spin speed also generates more noise and vibration. In objective lab testing by Storage Review, a 7200 RPM drive measured 36 dBA versus 33 dBA for a 5400 RPM drive during sequential write operations. While a 3 dB difference may not seem significant, it equates to over twice as loud to human perception. At idle, the difference was even greater, with the 7200 RPM drive at 31 dBA versus 27 dBA for the 5400 RPM model.
Increased power draw also results in more heat output. According to tests by TrueNAS Community, drive temperatures positively correlated with power consumption. 7200 RPM drives ran 3-5°C hotter than 5400 RPM drives under sustained workload. Proper cooling is important, as high temperatures negatively impact HDD reliability.
Reliability
When it comes to reliability, there are a few key factors to consider between 7200 RPM and 5400 RPM hard drives:
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is one way to measure reliability. Higher MTBF indicates less frequent failures. According to Backblaze data, 5400 RPM drives had a slightly higher MTBF on average than 7200 RPM drives (1.5 million hours vs 1.4 million hours).
Failure rates can also shed light on reliability differences. In general, 5400 RPM drives tend to have lower failure rates than 7200 RPM. For example, Backblaze data showed 5400 RPM drives had a 1.5% annualized failure rate, while 7200 RPM drives failed at 2.2% per year.
Some of this comes down to physics. The faster spinning platters in 7200 RPM drives generate more heat and are under greater mechanical stress. This can lead to earlier failures compared to 5400 RPM drives, which spin slower and experience less wear and tear over time.
Overall, 5400 RPM hard drives tend to be more reliable and have longer usable lifespans on average compared to their 7200 RPM counterparts when used in similar operating environments.
Price
When comparing prices between 7200RPM and 5400RPM hard drives, 7200RPM drives tend to be slightly more expensive. The price difference is generally around $10-20 for the same storage capacity.
For example, a 4TB 5400RPM hard drive may cost around $90 while a 4TB 7200RPM drive costs $110. On a cost per TB basis, this works out to about $22-25 per TB for 5400RPM drives and $27-30 per TB for 7200RPM. So you’re paying a small premium for the faster spindle speed of 7200RPM.
For budget-focused builds where storage space is a priority over peak performance, 5400RPM drives provide excellent value. But for gaming rigs and performance-centric builds, the extra cost of 7200RPM is usually worth it.
Overall, 7200RPM drives range from about 10-20% more expensive than 5400RPM models. So if your budget allows, 7200RPM is recommended for the performance boost. But 5400RPM can still provide plenty of storage capacity at a lower price point.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/8e5gye/how_different_is_the_5400_rpm_vs_7200_rpm/
https://linustechtips.com/topic/1407500-how-big-is-the-difference-between-5400-rpm-and-7200-rpm/
Use Case Recommendations
When choosing between 7200RPM and 5400RPM hard drives, consider how you plan to use the drive.
Best for Desktop
For general desktop use, a 7200RPM drive provides better performance for opening programs and files. The faster speed makes a noticeable difference in everyday use. However, a 5400RPM drive runs quieter and cooler which some prefer for office environments.
Best for NAS
In a NAS (network attached storage) a 7200RPM drive is preferable for frequently accessed data due to the faster speeds. For archival storage and backups that are accessed less often, a 5400RPM drive provides adequate performance at a lower cost. Overall capacity needs should also be considered.
Best for Gaming
For gaming PCs, a 7200RPM drive is strongly recommended as the primary drive for installing games. The faster load times compared to a 5400RPM drive provide a better gameplay experience. For storing media files, older games, or backups, a 5400RPM drive offers sufficient speeds at a lower price point.
Budget Pick
Those looking for the most affordable storage option should consider 5400RPM drives. While performance is slower, 5400RPM drives provide adequate speeds for basic tasks at the lowest cost per GB. For budget gaming builds, pair a small 7200RPM primary drive with a larger 5400RPM storage drive.
Capacity Considerations
Higher capacity 5400RPM drives tend to have similar sustained transfer rates as 7200RPM drives, due to higher areal density. For drives 4TB or larger, there is minimal real-world speed difference between 5400RPM and 7200RPM.[1] Therefore capacity needs should trump rotation speed when choosing large drives.
Conclusion
When comparing 7200RPM and 5400RPM hard drives, 7200RPM drives are clearly the performance winner. They have faster data transfer speeds, lower access times, and snappier response when loading programs and files. The average user will notice a significant boost in system performance by using a 7200RPM drive as their primary drive.
That said, for secondary data drives that are used for basic file storage and backups, a 5400RPM drive is likely sufficient. The slightly slower speeds are less noticeable for these secondary tasks, and 5400RPM drives run cooler, quieter, and potentially have longer lifespans. So for secondary or external backup drives, 5400RPM remains a good choice.
In summary, the key differences are that 7200RPM drives are faster, more responsive, draw more power, run hotter, and are noisier. 5400RPM drives prioritize quiet operation, efficiency, and longevity over top-end speed. For primary boot or application drives where performance matters most, 7200RPM is recommended. For secondary storage needs, 5400RPM drives strike a nice balance.