Best "value" 3.5 internal drive in $100-$150 range

[papaschtroumpf]

I'm looking to replace a 3TB drive. I don't really need more capacity so looking for something in the 3 or 4 TB range unless additional capacity comes "free".

The system has Windows on a 250G SSD but most programs are actually installed on the HDD (e.g. large games) as well as data (lots of it). So I want something with decent performance for the price so games load faster, etc... I think that means I want a 7200rpm drive. Would the hybrid drives help with games since I have the OS on an SSD already?

Reliability is also pretty important, I do back up data, but dealing with failing drives is a pain. For example the barracuda.14 seems to have much lower than average reliability.

The system is not on 24/7, it's set to go to sleep after an hour of idle time, so power consumption concerns are of lesser importance unless they affect reliability through heat.

I'm guessing there isn't a clear winner, but are there models that are "safe bets"?

 

[Ranulf]

I view the hybrid drives as a gimmick mostly and usually not great in the value category. It might be ok for a game drive because the most frequently played game would be stored in the ssd memory.

I'd look at finding the best price on a Toshiba, WD Black or Hitachi 3/4/5TB drive. Given pcpartpicker's current numbers, the Toshibas win on price/perf/capacity.

 

[UsandThem]

A hybrid hard drive would be a good idea if you were one of the few people out there who refuses to use a SSD.

But since you have one with your OS already on it, that is the biggest performance upgrade. So for your games drive, a drive like a Western Digital 'Blue' drive would be perfect.

http://www.storagereview.com/best_drives

 

[papaschtroumpf]

Don't the Blue drives run at 5400rpm? Reading reviews it seems a 7200 rpm would make a difference in loading games?

 

[UsandThem]

Don't the Blue drives run at 5400rpm? Reading reviews it seems a 7200 rpm would make a difference in loading games?

Some do, but some don't. Really all you need is a current reliable 7200 RPM drive for games.

http://m.wdc.com/en/product/770/specifications

Edit

Yeah, it looks like they shifted all their larger capacity Blue drives over to 5400 RPM. So skip that. It's been a while since I bought a regular hdd.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

Thanks for the pointers, the Toshiba 7200rpm 3TB (DT01ACA300) might be a good fit for my needs at $86 on newegg.

I've never used Toshiba drives before, but reviews seem OK

 

[UsandThem]

Thanks for the pointers, the Toshiba 7200rpm 3TB (DT01ACA300) might be a good fit for my needs at $86 on newegg.

I've never used Toshiba drives before, but reviews seem OK

It should be fine. Everybody has their own personal brand favorites, but they have been in the storage business for a while.

 

[fleshconsumed]

If you live near FRY's HGST Coolspin 4TB 5400RPM drives for $100 are unbeatable value if you wait for an email sale.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

So another 5400rpm suggestion. I haven't used a 5400 rpm drive in forever except on a laptop where it felt slow. I do want to get decent performance. Is rpm no longer relevant because of other factors like large caches?
No Fry's around here, but I'm not stuck on saving pennies.

 

[UsandThem]

So another 5400rpm suggestion. I haven't used a 5400 rpm drive in forever except on a laptop where it felt slow. I do want to get decent performance. Is rpm no longer relevant because of other factors like large caches?
No Fry's around here, but I'm not stuck on saving pennies.

No, you want a 7200 RPM drive for performance. 5400 RPM ones are fine for file storage or for putting in an external enclosure, but your game's load times would take longer. Factor in you are now used to the "zippiness" of using a SSD, it will drive you nuts.

That 3TB Toshiba you mentioned would be the way to go.

 

[pimpin-tl]

I will have in my hands probably




You cannot sell items on the forums outside of FS/T.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[killster1]

in past have gotten wd red from mybook 5tb 108$ shipped. on forums 2x hitachi 4tb light used 95 each? was while back.

/b/ constantly buying more hd's,, today grabbed 2 more 2tb hitachi 0F12470 from ebay 45$ shipped each. 64mb cache 1 year warranty (not sure why 1 year said new i guess suppose to go oem pc or something. im down to buy a few more drives if someone tells me best ones to get too but looks like no one even mention hitachi and they are best rated drives for reliability (only thing that matters to me)

 

[nerp]

I'd go Toshiba or HGST for a normal consumer drive in a desktop. WD Reds or HGST for NAS/storage.

 

[cbn]

today grabbed 2 more 2tb hitachi 0F12470 from ebay 45$ shipped each. 64mb cache 1 year warranty (not sure why 1 year said new i guess suppose to go oem pc or something. im down to buy a few more drives if someone tells me best ones to get too but looks like no one even mention hitachi and they are best rated drives for reliability (only thing that matters to me)

The reason that drive has a 1 year warranty (I am assuming you got it from seller "Goharddrive.com" or "Apethouse" (which is also Goharddrive.com)) is because it is NOS ( New Old Stock) drive made some time ago and thus does not carry the manufacturers original warranty anymore.

That particular drive you bought (PN: OF12470) corresponds to model "HUA723020ALA641" which according to the hard drive platter database has five 400GB platters:

http://rml527.blogspot.ca/2010/10/hdd-platter-database-hitachihgst-35.html

.....so it is an older manufacture drive, not a recent manufacture drive which typically have 1TB (or greater) capacity platters.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

I've decided to grab this Toshiba drive for $80 from Microcenter on my way home and be done with it:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...5_Internal_Hard_Drive_DT01ACA300_-_Bare_Drive

 

[pimpin-tl]

Funny I can't even say something to help a member and I get a warning from a mod. I wasn't even selling it yet.