What is the primary advantage of a 7200 RPM hard drive compared to a 5400 RPM model?

A 7200 RPM hard drive offers faster performance compared to a 5400 RPM model primarily due to the increased rotational speed of the disk platters. This higher RPM (revolutions per minute) means that the data stored on the platters can be read and written more quickly. As a result, a 7200 RPM drive typically has improved data transfer rates, leading to quicker access times when files are being loaded or saved. This can significantly benefit users who require higher performance for tasks such as gaming, video editing, or running multiple applications simultaneously.

In contrast, while lower noise levels and a cheaper price might be factors to consider in a hard drive's appeal, these attributes do not directly correlate with the increased performance that a higher RPM drive provides. The 5400 RPM drives are generally quieter and less expensive but do not offer the same level of speed and efficiency in data handling as their 7200 RPM counterparts. Additionally, the phrasing of "slower data access" would be the opposite of what is experienced with a 7200 RPM drive, as faster performance inherently equates to quicker data access.