Which Hard Disc?

[Ashmore]

Apologies in advance for what promises to be an agonisingly dull thread. I shall use short sentences to give it some bounce.

The 500gb disc in my vortexbox server is almost full. Time for an upgrade. Think I'll go for a 2TB. But which one!!? Caviar Green? Samsung F-something?

Function: music server, backup NAS storage.
Requirements: QUIET (my VB is in the much-used dining room in the east wing); energy efficient (it's on 24/7); Reliable; Odourless (this is an attempt at humour).

Any recommendations? Also where to buy? Amazon?

Ta

[Tim]

Western Digital RED most definitely IMO for that purpose. Amazon and Scan were offering the best prices recently, but check Ebuyer too.

The WD Greens have had some intellipark issues and the RED does not use this, they are quieter and use less power than the Greens and are the latest technology but designed for NAS. They do cost a little more but I think they are the ones to beat at the moment for the use you want.

There are lots of reviews, pretty much all positive.

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/internal-hard-drives/1296268/western-digital-red-3tb

http://www.silentpcreview.com/WD_Red

[Ashmore]

cheers Tim

[Ali Tait]

Been eying up the Reds myself recently, let us know where you get the best price?

[badsoden]

I've had four 2Tb WD Reds in my server for the last nine months without issue. Very quiet as well.

[pjdowns]

Western Digital RED most definitely IMO for that purpose. Amazon and Scan were offering the best prices recently, but check Ebuyer too.

The WD Greens have had some intellipark issues and the RED does not use this, they are quieter and use less power than the Greens and are the latest technology but designed for NAS. They do cost a little more but I think they are the ones to beat at the moment for the use you want.

There are lots of reviews, pretty much all positive.

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/internal-hard-drives/1296268/western-digital-red-3tb

http://www.silentpcreview.com/WD_Red

+1 - I use external drives and have had great results and reliability from Western Digital drives... Don't touch LaCie with a bargepole, my Dad uses them and they're always failing!

[walpurgis]

+1 - I use external drives and have had great results and reliability from Western Digital drives... Don't touch LaCie with a bargepole, my Dad uses them and they're always failing!

I thought LaCie was a dog in the movies. :)

[Tim]

Don't touch LaCie with a bargepole
You may or may not know Paul, but I work with computers and we have a pet name for LaCie at work . . . LaCie lose data :lol:
The hard drives inside them are fine and they might be OK now (not used them for years), but these things lost more data and caused more headaches than you could imagine. Not sure why, poor control boards I guess? They are without doubt the most unreliable things we have ever used . . .YMMV.

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/wp-content/uploads/media/lacie_ethernet_big_disk.jpg

[pjdowns]

You may or may not know Paul, but I work with computers

Tim, I didn't but I do now :) - I also 'work with computers, well, actually I am an IT Manager and personally haven't been near the inside of a computer at work for years LOL.

I agree totally though, my Dad went for a Porsche designed LaCie drives because 'they're good looking' and he has had nothing but trouble with them!

[Eremite]

As already pointed out, Western Digital Reds are a standard recommendation for this type of application. It might be worth noting that Seagate have just brought out their own NAS-suitable drives (called, with great originality, "Seagate NAS"). As for where to buy, make sure you choose somewhere with a good returns and warranty service! In addition to those alreadt recommended, overclockers seems to be flighing high amongs customer recommendations at the moment.

[Ashmore]

Thank you for all the responses. WD Red it is. Amazon £79 quid. I am now looking at a backup solution so I thought I'd ask the experts. I'm looking at an external 2tb USB. It will only be used for manual backups every week or so. Plug in, copy, switch off, put somewhere safe.

WD Elements for 67 quid perhaps? Or what about a cheap cloud solution? Or is that a stupid idea?


Simon

[NRG]

A big cheap USB drive would be my choice or a networked attached appliance / NAS / PC with loads of storage. I like the sound of cloud backup but I'd not put anything personal or sensitive out there...check the T&C's of the company you use! ;) Also, if you have a lot of data getting it into the cloud make be an issue it can take a very long time......

[Gordon Steadman]

[QUOTE=pjdowns;466536

I agree totally though, my Dad went for a Porsche designed LaCie drives because 'they're good looking' and he has had nothing but trouble with them![/QUOTE]

Yup,

I've got two of these in the box in the loft. I might find a use for a couple of nice looking enclosures one of these days.

[realysm42]

From experience, ocuk are very knowledgeable and provide very good service, recommendation from me.

[StanleyB]

I just bought a WD GREEN 3TB SATA 6Gb/s for £90 at PC World to try out in my NAS. I am using the NSA310 power saving function as a supplement to park the drive when not in use for more than 5 minutes.

[Stratmangler]

I just bought a WD GREEN 3TB SATA 6Gb/s for £90 at PC World to try out in my NAS. I am using the NSA310 power saving function as a supplement to park the drive when not in use for more than 5 minutes.

Is that with or without VAT Stan?

[StanleyB]

With VAT. I reckon they had the stock location wrong in the store;).

[Spectral Morn]

Avoid Iomega :( you can here mine from a mile away......


Regards Neil

[Stratmangler]

With VAT. I reckon they had the stock location wrong in the store;).

Is this the one Stan?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/components-upgrades/internal-hard-drives/3-5-inch-hard-drives/wd-internal-3-5-sata-hard-drive-3tb-11358358-pdt.html

[StanleyB]

I can't find it on their website right now. I bought mine in a branch at Staples Corner in London.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/wd.jpg

[NRG]

Dabs have a good deal on a 3TB Buffalo external USB2.0 drive at the moment.....

http://www.dabs.com/products/buffalo-3tb-drivestation-usb-2-0-desktop-hard-drive-7X7Z.html?src=15