General computer questions part2

[h1a8]

Is 7200rpm hard drive a lot better than a 5400rpm hard drive for chess, or is it negligible? What about for computer use in general, is it a lot better?

Also, is usb 3.0 used with normal flash drive (or external hard drive) a lot better than usb 2.0 or the internal hard drive for endgame tablebases?

Thanks!

[javimm]

I know it's critical when dealing with heavy audio/video editing, where you need constant access to data in the hard drive. I suppose it's not as crucial in computer chess, because chess engines aren't as hard drive intensive as audio or video editing.

On the other hand, having a faster hard disk will improve TB search speed if that matters that much.

EDITED TO ADD: I myself use a 7200 HD, just because I do audio editing and because the computer runs better in general. I don't think you're going to save that much buying the slower drive.

[Werewolf]

For general chess analysis your hard drive choice won't make any difference, except for tablebases.

An SSD is much faster than either a 7200 RPM or 5400 RPM disk in this case - access time is crucial in this regard and nothing beats SSD in this respect.

But tablebases don't make that much difference in general...spend the money on the processor.

[h1a8]

Is the access time of a 7200rpm significantly faster (for tablebases) than the access time of the 5400rpm hard drive or is it just negligibly faster?
Does the 7200 scale on access times exactly (33% faster since 7200 is 33% more than 5400)?


Can anyone tell me about usb 3.0 with tablebases on flash drive vs. usb 2.0 with tablebases on flash drive.

The reason for these questions is because I'm about to buy a laptop computer with a sandy bridge i7 processor. I have a choice between two computers. Both computers have the same i7 processor but the far more expensive computer has a 7200rpm hard drive and usb 3.0 and the much cheaper computer has a 5400rmp hard drive and only usb 2.0. I plan to use the laptops for running some chess matches every now and then and for general use.

[jdart]

I don't think you want to use a flash drive (over USB) for tablebases.

--Jon

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

For general chess analysis your hard drive choice won't make any difference, except for tablebases.

An SSD is much faster than either a 7200 RPM or 5400 RPM disk in this case - access time is crucial in this regard and nothing beats SSD in this respect.

But tablebases don't make that much difference in general...spend the money on the processor.

Fully agreed

[h1a8]

I don't think you want to use a flash drive (over USB) for tablebases.

--Jon

I thought they were faster. Someone a long time ago posted the access time benchmarks vs. hard drive and the flash drives had faster access times.

I can store the entire 5 men on an 8gb flash drive so it's no problem.


With that said, can you explain what you mean?

[h1a8]

For general chess analysis your hard drive choice won't make any difference, except for tablebases.

An SSD is much faster than either a 7200 RPM or 5400 RPM disk in this case - access time is crucial in this regard and nothing beats SSD in this respect.

But tablebases don't make that much difference in general...spend the money on the processor.

Fully agreed

The processor isn't the issue.

The reason for these questions is because I'm about to buy a laptop computer with a sandy bridge i7 processor. I have a choice between two computers. Both computers have the same i7 processor but the far more expensive computer has a 7200rpm hard drive and usb 3.0 and the much cheaper computer has a 5400rmp hard drive and only usb 2.0. I plan to use the laptops for running some chess matches every now and then and for general use.

[Werewolf]

Well if you MUST buy a laptop for chess (the thought makes me shudder) then go for the 7200 RPM drive.

You will see a slight performance edge for chess (we're talking a couple elo here) and more importantly it'll boot up quicker and load programs faster.

I've used both - I'd definitely go for the 7200 drive - but don't do it because you think your machine will play much better chess.


EDIT - the 5400 drive will give you better battery life though

[bob]

Is 7200rpm hard drive a lot better than a 5400rpm hard drive for chess, or is it negligible? What about for computer use in general, is it a lot better?

Also, is usb 3.0 used with normal flash drive (or external hard drive) a lot better than usb 2.0 or the internal hard drive for endgame tablebases?

Thanks!

Faster rotational speed decreases latency. Important if you use EGTBs. Otherwise, completely irrelevant.