this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2023
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4TB disk advice (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hi,

I am looking to buy a 4TB SATA hard drive. Use case is backup about once a week with and external dock, looking for files every now and then.

The general idea is that I would have two of them, and use the method of storing them with one pebble to indicate where to backup next, so I have one security copy always.

Speed is not important, durability is. What should I buy?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If you have backups it doesn't matter much what you buy. It's not like there's much choice anyway. :)

Do you want to buy a small 2.5" one? Or a larger 3.5" one?

All the small ones are SMR these days, so that's something you should consider. Depending on exact use cases this may become very slow, and in case of error, like a sudden drop of power source which easily happens with externals, they also corrupt more easily (in other places, not just necessarily in the data you just wrote to them).

If you go for a bigger 3.5" drive go for a larger size and CMR. 4 TB is laughable and ultimately more expensive (EUR/$ per TB). I would recommend to look for 12TB and upwards with helium filled. The 18TB disks are the current price sweet spot it seems.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! It's 3.5. Where does it say whether a disc is CMR/SMR/Helium?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Typically in the specs sheet of the manufacturer. You have to read/ look closely. Best is to ask about a specific drive ID then we can tell more (out of experience).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! So I’m finally going with the wd blue 6tb cmr:

https://www.westerndigital.com/products/internal-drives/wd-blue-desktop-sata-hdd?sku=WD5000AZLX

Is it helium?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Unlikely. There used to be 8TB heliums at some point, but then WD replaced that line with air-filled ones. A process that at least went to the 10TB line too already, I believe. Your safe bet for helium is 14TB and up, I would say.

When you buy that 6TB drive make sure to get the WD60EZAX (aka CMR) and not the WD60EZAZ (aka SMR). It's one letter difference… if you buy from a random dealer they may send you the SMR.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm having trouble finding the blue where I live, so I think I'll go with the Red Plus 8TB, WD80EFZZ...is it helium or air?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

It's a 20% chance, I guess. Dunno. :) If it has a flat top surface and no air holes then it's Helium, else it's air.

That's a helium one: https://pcper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/d177-dsc00234-1280x640.jpg

That's an air one: https://cdn.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Western-Digital-WD-RED-8TB-Photo-view-angle-1-880x850.jpg

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Speed is not important, durability is. What should I buy?

Whatever's cheapest and/or has the best warranty.

Since speed for write/rewrites isn't a concern, even SMR, Seagate Barracuda, WD Blue, WD Red (not Red Plus or Red Pro), Toshiba P300, DT02 and DT02-V are fine. Read speed on SMR drives are the same as non-SMR drives.

Durability is nonsense since any storage device/media can fail at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.

Longevity and reliability is backups. Which you have planned, but the second should ideally be kept offsite in case of a local catastrophe.

[–] jws_shadotak 1 points 11 months ago

Durability is nonsense since any storage device/media can fail at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.

Oh come on, you know what he's asking for. Certain HDDs have higher fail rates than others.

If someone asked for a reliable car, would your response make sense?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Thanks. How about the corruption issue on smr?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Look for NAS/Enterprise grade drives (they are all cmr) with the best $/TB ratio and warranty time. There is really not much difference between alternatives from different brands.