[FDE] hw vs. sw encryption performance

[Harvard Townsend]

Has anyone compared the performance of a laptop computer encrypted with 
a 5400 rpm Seagate Momentus FDE.2 drive (like the Dell Latitude D630) 
versus one with a 7200 rpm drive that uses software FDE? I'm curious how 
the performance penalty of the 5400 rpm speed compares to the penalty of 
software encryption. I certainly understand there are many factors that 
affect performance, including which software encryption product one 
uses, so anecdotes and opinions are welcome. The real question is will 
an average user notice a performance difference between the two; I 
suspect not.
Regards,
-- 
Harvard Townsend
University IT Security Officer
Kansas State University
Email: harv at ksu.edu,  Voice: 785-532-2985