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Best Hard Drives in 2023
February 16, 2023, 17:14
Looking for the best hard drive for long-term file storage or network-attached storage (NAS) servers? It’s not just about capacity – you also need to consider protection against inevitable hard drive failure.
While solid-state drives (SSDs) outperform hard drives (HDDs) in terms of file transfer rates and general performance, HDDs still offer reliability and larger capacities at a lower cost, making them very affordable.
Even the best SSD won’t match an HDD’s capacity, and an SSD will cost significantly more. For low-priority storage needs, HDDs remain an attractive option due to their affordability and capacity.
So, if you need a cost-effective solution for long-term file storage or NAS servers, consider a reliable HDD with a large capacity. Just be sure to check out our list to find the best HDD that meets your needs.
We chose the SeaGate Barracuda as the best hard drive as it’s the fastest hard drive out there. If you need a great gaming hard drive, the WD VelociRaptor is an excellent choice. Are you looking for a more budget option? The WD Blue might be your best option. Looking to store a lot of files? The Toshiba X300 is your best choice.
Specifications:
Interface: Serial ATA
Capacity: 2TB
Cache: 256MB
Hard Disk Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM
Seagate BarraCuda
Best Hard Drive
Looking for a reliable and affordable hard drive? Look no further than Seagate’s BarraCuda lineup. These drives offer a great gigabyte-per-dollar ratio, making them a cost-effective solution for storing large amounts of data.
The 2TB model strikes a balance between high performance and affordability, boasting 7,200 RPM platters and high-density data that enable fast data transfer rates. Plus, the HDD is easy to install and come with all the necessary hardware and software. If you’re looking for a dependable and budget-friendly hard drive, the Seagate BarraCuda is definitely worth considering.
Specifications:
Interface: Serial ATA
Capacity: 1TB
Cache: 64MB
Hard Disk Rotational Speed: 10,000
WD VelociRaptor
Best Hard Drive For Gaming
If you’re a PC gamer who values speed over storage space, then the WD VelociRaptor might be the perfect hard drive for you. This high-performance platter-based alternative boasts a spin speed of 10,000 RPM and capacities up to 1TB, making it an excellent choice for those who need to store large game libraries and launch games quickly.
One advantage of the VelociRaptor is its ability to handle heavy-write endurance workloads, which can cause SSDs to wear out over time. The VelociRaptor’s fast write speeds make it a great option for content creators and anyone else who works with large amounts of data.
Unfortunately, the WD VelociRaptor still falls short of the performance that can be achieved with an SSD. But if you’re still looking for a fast gaming HDD, then the VelociRaptor might be the one for you.
Specifications:
Interface: Serial ATA
Capacity: 6TB
Cache: 256MB
Hard Disk Rotational Speed: 5,400
WD Blue
Best Affordable Hard Drive
Western Digital’s WD Blue hard drives are a great option for those looking for affordable storage solutions. With storage options ranging from 500GB to 6TB, this hard drive line is suitable for various PC builds that are on a budget. The larger drives offer better value, providing more storage space per dollar spent. Additionally, there are 7,200rpm models available for those seeking more speed, without having to pay a steep price.
The WD Blue stands out for its price per gigabyte, making it extremely affordable.
One important factor to consider when purchasing a hard drive is Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). This metric indicates the average time it takes for a hard drive to fail. While the WD Blue runs at a slower speed of 5,400 RPM, providing read and write speeds of around 130MB/s, it is still a reliable choice for low-speed tasks like storage. However, it may not be the best option for running games or editing software. The choice is up to you.
Specifications:
Interface: Serial ATA
Capacity: 10TB
Cache: 512MB
Hard Disk Rotational Speed: 7,200
Toshiba X300
Best High-Capacity Hard Drive
If you need a Hard Drive with a large capacity and great performance the Toshiba X300 is the one you’re looking for, offering 10 TB with a Hard Disk rotational speed of 7,200 RPM and a cache of 512Gb making it the best high-capacity with amazing performance Hard Drive out there.
What To Consider When Looking For a Hard Drive?
When buying a hard drive, there are a few key factors to consider. These factors will help you determine the type and capacity of the hard drive that is best for your needs. Here are some things to consider when buying a hard drive:
The Capacity
The capacity of a hard drive refers to how much data it can store. Hard drives are available in a range of capacities, from a few hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. Consider how much data you need to store and choose a hard drive with a capacity that meets your needs.
The Speed
The speed of a hard drive can affect the performance of your computer. SSDs are generally faster than HDDs, but there are also differences in speed between different models of hard drives. Look for a hard drive with a high read/write speed to ensure fast data transfer and smooth performance.
The Price
Finally, consider your budget when choosing a hard drive. Consider the speed, the capacity, and the price. Higher speeds mean higher prices and the same with higher capacities. Determine your needs and budget to choose a hard drive that provides the best value for your money.