| 1. Short for Revolutions Per Minute, RPM is used to help determine the access time on computer hard disk drives. RPM is a measurement of how many complete revolutions a computer's hard disk drive makes in a single minute. The higher the RPM, the faster the data will be accessed; for example, if you were comparing two hard disk drives, one with 5400 RPM and another with 7200 RPM, the hard disk drive with a 7200 RPM will be capable of accessing data much faster than the 5400 RPM drive. However, it is also important to note that a 5400 RPM drive will be much cheaper than a 7200 RPM drive. While it may not be a noticeable speed difference when loading small files, the RPM of a hard disk drive can make a dramatic difference when loading large files and/or several hundred or thousand files. We always recommend users get at least a 7200 RPM drive.
- Additional hard disk drive buying tips and help can be found here.
2. RPM can also refer to the revolutions per minute a computer case fan or heatsink fan spins at. Generally, with higher RPM, the fan will move more air and/or remove more heat from the computer or processor. However, as you increase the RPM of a fan, you will also notice an increase in noise or decibel (dBa). Also see: Decibel, Hard disk drive definitions, Measurement, Seek time | |
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