HGST Deskstar vs WD CB 4 TB

[dg27]

Trying to decide between the HGST Deskstar (Hitachi, now owned by WD) and the WD CB 4 TB drives. This will replace a 2 TB WD CB (WD2001FASS).

The 2 TB is installed in a Dell XPS 9100 and is used to store media (movies, videos, etc). The 2 TB has always run kind of hot and now it has failed a couple of diagnostic tests. It is under warranty and I'll get a refurb replacement (and all data is backed up redundantly). I'm thinking I'll take this opportunity to upgrade the size; I'll put the 2 TB replacement in an extra external case I have and use that as add'l backup storage.

The HGST is highly regarded, but I'm not sure whether it has the 5-year warranty (info on Amazon is not clear). I also believe it's got a 32 MB cache as opposed to 64 MB.

I've had many WD CBs and I'm more comfortable with those, but I wonder...

If anyone has any experience with HGST I'd appreciate hearing about it. The HGST is about $55 less than the WD CB.

Thanks.

dg

 

[kleinkinstein]

The HGST is about $55 less than the WD CB.

Where's the confusion? The 7k4000 is outstanding.
http://www.storagereview.com/hitachi_deskstar_7k4000_review

 

[dg27]

Thanks, kleinkinstein. Very convincing review.

I guess the only question that remains concerns warranty.

I just learned (since my original post) that this has a 3-yr warranty. That's significan because as much as I like WD BCs, I have RMA'd several and the one I am RMA'ing right now just passed the 3-yr mark (and still has 2 years left).

Update: This is $225 @ B&H and an additional 2 year of warranty to take it to 5 years is another $23.

I guess this makes the most sense.

dg

 

[Elixer]

I don't think it matters which one you get, just get two of them.
4TB is a heck of a lot of data to lose, when the HD fails.

 

[dg27]

Good advice. I subscribe to the idea that there are really only two kinds of drives: Those that have failed and those that will in the future.

But actually with the 2 TB refurb'd WD CB I''ll have more than enough backup space (I have several backup drives already).

dg

 

[dg27]

The one additional concern I have about either the Hitachi or the WD 4 TB is the platter configuration of 5 X 800 GB.

Reading user reviews I see heat coming up as a constant concern. Heat has always been the issue with my existing 2 TB drives.

If I get the 4 TB it will be installed in the desktop, not an external case.

I wonder whether the 4 TB technology is mature enough to warrant paying a premium or whether I should wait till the 4 X 1 TB configurations are available.

 

[kleinkinstein]

It's just a hdd, and it won't spin 24-7. If you need to ask these questions and sort thru such concerns, you're obviously not an early adopter and likley don't need 4GB of space in a single drive. Buy a "proven" 3TB instead for $130 or two 2TB at $90 each.

 

[dg27]

Thanks.

I have slots for three HDDs in my box and right now I have 1 X 1 TB (boot, where I keep very little data) and 2 X 2 TBs. And I am actually running out of space.

I thought the heat question was a valid one after reading the reviews.

I should point out that I'm only looking into this because the existing 2 TB is dying. So my choice is to replace it with a refurbished drive, or upgrade.


dg

 

[rsutoratosu]

Im actually using the hitachi 7k400 in my server, 24/7 operation. B&H currently has it for 225.. i got mine a few months ago for 250.. still pretty cheap.. 4x4 - 12tb raid 5.

 

[dg27]

Thanks, rsutoratosu.

Yes, it's in my basket @ B&H. On March 30 they will have the WD CB 3 TB, but that'll be $250. I think I should grab this.