The Ultimate Guide to Buying NAS Hard Drives in 2023
Choosing the right NAS hard drive is crucial for ensuring your home server operates efficiently and reliably. In this guide, you'll learn the key factors to consider when purchasing a NAS drive, the common pitfalls to avoid, and the best options available at different price points. Whether you're building a Plex server or a data storage solution, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
When investing in a NAS (Network Attached Storage) setup, selecting the right hard drive is paramount for performance, reliability, and data integrity. Here are the key factors to consider:
Drive Type and Technology: Look for drives designed specifically for NAS use. CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology is preferred for RAID setups, as it provides better performance and reliability over SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives. For instance, the Seagate IronWolf series utilizes CMR technology, making it ideal for NAS configurations.
Seagate IronWolf Pro, 12 TB, NAS Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s 7,200 RPM, 256 MB Cache, for RAID Network Attached Storage, 3 years Rescue Services, FFP (ST12000NE0008)
Capacity: Assess your storage needs based on your intended use. If you're planning to store large media libraries for Plex streaming, consider larger capacities like the Seagate IronWolf Pro 12TB (£365.99) or 14TB (£430.00) options. These drives are suitable for extensive storage requirements, particularly in multi-user environments.
Seagate IronWolf Pro 12TB, Enterprise Internal NAS HDD, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6GB/s, 7.200 RPM, 256MB Cache for RAID NAS, Data Rescue Services, Frustration Free Packaging (ST12000NTZ01)
RPM and Performance: The rotational speed of the drive (measured in RPM) significantly impacts performance. Drives with 7200 RPM, such as the WD Red Pro 8TB (£282.98), offer faster read/write speeds compared to those with 5400 RPM, making them better suited for heavy workloads and multiple simultaneous accesses.
WD Red Pro 8TB NAS 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - 7200 RPM Class, SATA 6 Gb/s, CMR Recording Technology, 256MB Cache
Cache Size: A larger cache size can improve performance by allowing more data to be accessed quickly. Drives like the Seagate IronWolf Pro series typically feature 256MB of cache, supporting better performance during data-intensive operations compared to drives with smaller caches.
Seagate IronWolf Pro, 14 TB, NAS Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s 7,200 RPM, 256 MB Cache, for RAID Network Attached Storage, 3 years Rescue Services, FFP (ST14000NE0008)
Warranty and Support: Look for drives that come with extended warranties and data recovery services. For example, many Seagate IronWolf Pro models include a 3-year Rescue Data Recovery service, providing peace of mind in case of failure.
Seagate IronWolf Pro 14 TB NAS RAID Internal Hard Drive - 7,200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5-inch (ST14000NE0008)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Price Tiers
Seagate IronWolf Pro 8TB, Enterprise Internal NAS HDD, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6GB/s, 7.200 RPM, 256MB Cache for RAID NAS, Data Rescue Services, Frustration Free Packaging (ST8000NTZ01)
Seagate IronWolf Pro, 14 TB, Enterprise NAS Internal HDD –CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s, 7,200 RPM, 256 MB Cache for RAID Network Attached Storage, 3 year Rescue Services (ST14000NT001)
Seagate IronWolf Pro 16TB, Enterprise Internal NAS HDD, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6GB/s, 7.200 RPM, 256MB Cache for RAID NAS, Data Rescue Services, Frustration Free Packaging (ST16000NTZ01)
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