HDD operational temps

Speedy Pete · 13 Oct 2011 at 12:32

Just got myself a little samsung S2 portable and looked up the specs and the max operational temp is 40C when a normal internal HDD is a good 15C higher.

Anyone know why this is?

CaptainCrash · 13 Oct 2011 at 12:46

The spec sheet subheading says "Environmental Specifications", so it possibly refers to the ambient temperature rather than that of the drive itself... not very clear admittedly.

I doubt if temps will be a major factor in the drive's lifespan, wear and tear from general handling will kill it long before damage from overheating.

SMN · 13 Oct 2011 at 12:48

40oC is fine. Bear in mind that envir. temps go both ways, I used to work for a storage vendor and we used to have to tell ppl to turn their air con down as the hard drives were too cold.

Surveyor · 13 Oct 2011 at 12:49

Perhaps that's just the maximum ambient operating temperature.

No using it in the Sahara desert except at night.

Speedy Pete · 13 Oct 2011 at 17:05

I just found it odd that an external drive which has an outer casing which will hold the heat for longer and wont have a 80/120mm fan blowing over it actually has a lower max operational temp.