- Feb 22, 2007
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Does anyone know of any test that have determined how power up and down of drives effects the lifespan of the drive ? I know drives are rated for around 50,000 start/stop cycles but it isn't something that is linear where suddenly at 50,001 it fails. The other side is that leaving it powered uses more power and generates heat, though heat shouldn't be a factor if they are not overheated.
I ask because for years I have always kept my drives powered in systems. I never use power management on them and I have only had 2 drive failures in the past 10 years. It would seem to me that leaving the platter spinning and the drive idle would be a lot less stressful than spinning it up, moving the head, and powering it down, parking the head, several times a day. There is also much more current draw through the board and motor when spinning up.
Opinions ?
I ask because for years I have always kept my drives powered in systems. I never use power management on them and I have only had 2 drive failures in the past 10 years. It would seem to me that leaving the platter spinning and the drive idle would be a lot less stressful than spinning it up, moving the head, and powering it down, parking the head, several times a day. There is also much more current draw through the board and motor when spinning up.
Opinions ?