Replacing D830 Hard Drive

[networkwasher]

Hey guys -

I'm interested in replacing the hard drive in my D830. I currently have the standard 120 GB 7200RPM drive that shipped with the computer. I have a couple of questions.

Does the D830 use SATA 1.5 or 3.0?
What is the advantage of the 'free fall sensor' that Dell markets so heavily?

I am looking at the following drives. Any input is greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much!

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...chassisid=8514


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136280

[Greg]

The D830 uses SATA1.5.

The free fall sensor protects your hard drive when the laptop gets dropped, bumped, and bruised.

[networkwasher]

Ok... so it looks like those drives are out. The one from Dell appeared after entering my service code - strange that it is the wrong interface.

What do you guys think of this one -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145160

How would a replacement drive compare to Dell's OEM drive as far as performance, heat, noise...

Thanks!

[Greg]

Actually, both standards will work. Just at the 1.5 speed.

In all reality, no hard drive for laptops comes close to being fast enough to saturate 1.5...let alone 3.0.

Anyway, Dell's OEM drive may have been from any other company. Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital, Fujitsu, Toshiba, or Samsung. The first three are good (fast, reliable, relatively cool) brands and the last three are not so good.

Hitachi is fast, but a little hotter.
Seagate is cooler, not always as fast though.
Western Digital seems to be just as reliable as the others, but I do not know if it excels in anything in particular.

[networkwasher]

What about their effect on battery life? Which is better between Hitachi, Seagate, or WD - in your opinion?

[Greg]

I don't know...if you look up the datasheets for any/all hard drives you are considering then you can look up the power consumption figures.

[networkwasher]

Ok... thanks for the help!

[networkwasher]

Just to clarify - I can buy a 3.0GB/s drive and it will work in my D830, but at the lower 1.5GB/s speed... is this correct?

[Greg]

Yes, that is correct.

[networkwasher]

Looks like I'm going to buy the Hitachi Travelstar 7k320. My system currently has the 7k200, so this should be a great upgrade (more storage, less power, fourth generation vs third).

Any pointers on how to get everything installed on the new drive? I don't want to image my current drive, but rather start fresh. Should I pull the old drive and install the new, or keep the old in and install everything to the temporarily external new drive?