Hard drive (HDD, not SSD)

IGBT · 13 May 2021 at 11:26

Hi all. I want to acquire a new HDD to use it as a back-up. I still haven't decided if I will leave it in the PC or use a docking station just to plug it in and back up stuff then remove it.

I would like to get some advice one what is the BEST HDD (value for money) one can buy with 4TB and 6TB?

I was looking at the Seagate Barracuda (green) as an option but not sure if it is the best. They are cheap now averaging 80 pounds. I know WD is a good manufacturer as well but don't know if it is worth extra 30 pounds or so.

Thank you very much in advance.

Mylestheone · 13 May 2021 at 16:15

I have three very old Barracudas that have been running fine for general longterm storage so I think you'd be fine with that tbh. Had both my greens and one blue for over 10 years now

dfour · 14 May 2021 at 12:00

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Seagate Basic 5TB Portable USB 3.0 External Hard Drive= £99.95

Total: £108.65 (includes shipping: £8.70)

External is just the safest thing to have as a backup device. Especially against bitlocker type virsuses.

Mylestheone · 14 May 2021 at 16:40

Yeah external is great for a back up. 5TB can typically be found for £80 odd too

IGBT · 16 May 2021 at 01:10

I see. I was thinking in getting one of these internal ones then do the back up and remove from the PC. Then from time to time do a backup. Sea gate seems to be the most cost effective. Not sure if it is a good idea. This is mainly to backup photos.

Mylestheone · 16 May 2021 at 07:43

Do the back up and then remove the hard drive from the PC? Better to just get an external and plug in via USB whenever you want. £85 should get you 5 to 6TB external. Wouldn't pay more than that.

pp111 · 16 May 2021 at 11:24

External are the thing if they meet your specs. They are generally much better value than internal drives ( I suppose because they sell more of them ).

dfour · 16 May 2021 at 15:42

definatly go for an external drive.

EsaT · 16 May 2021 at 15:43

IGBT said:
Hi all. I want to acquire a new HDD to use it as a back-up. I still haven't decided if I will leave it in the PC

Drive always connected to PC and exposed to malware etc software problems/user errors and possible hardware failures from PSU to motherboard's logical operation failure isn't back up.
Also lightning strike to power grid could fry whole PC and everything connected to it in the worst case.

Back up needs to be separate/most of the time completely disconnected device so that malware or hardware failure of your PC can't destroy that data.

Ch3m1c4L · 21 May 2021 at 16:02

Wait for a deal on an appropriately sized WD or seagate external drive. There is basically one or two sizes on offer at all times and it takes a few months to cycle through the range. WD ones are a little "locked down" sometimes but be work arounds if it's ever an issue. Not sure on the seagate ones.