Which WD Black?

[nutcase]

I want to replace the old SATA I 160gb drive I've been using to setup my new backup server. I've decided on either a single WD black or 2 RE3 or RE4 drives in RAID 1, due to the 5 year warranty. I've then further decided on a single black as it's not the end of the world for the server to be down for a day or so if the OS drive fails (the OS drive is backed up to the RAID 5 array and also to my main computer).

However, there are sometimes advantages and disadvantages to the various models in the range - any thoughts on which of the 250, 320 or 500gb black to go for? All have plenty of room for my needs. Or is there something on the RE3 or RE4 that trumps the black even on single drive (and set the TLER to 0)?

Fanks

edit: just realised most of the WD Black ones I've been looking at are 2.5" drives. I have no preference between 2.5" and 3.5" for this.

 

[zakblood]

black is the standard version, which i have, great drive v speed and price plus a good a warranty etc

RE4 is rated with twice as many load/unload cycles as the RE3, plus the before mentioned higher cache size.

both are great Enterprise class drive with the best warranty, but lower gb sizes v price etc, bit to high end for most, but if it needed to last, then these are the ones.

remember red are for NAS as well, raid great but shorter warranty

 

[decto]

I'd save the cash and buy cheaper drive with 3yr or so warranty. A 5 year warranty doesn't prove the drive is better, just it will be replaced if it fails and you still lose your data and have to rely on backup. It will also cost you a fair bit to ship it back so most likely unless it fails early life you'd junk it and buy another.

RE drives have optimised firmware for raid, they don't spend too long trying to recover errors as this could lead to the array dropping out. Instead they flag the error and let the array correct. for a single disk there is no benefit.

If the server is on 24/7 then a 2.5 HDD may prove to be cheaper to run and cooler. OS drive in a server doesn't really take much abuse so aside from time to boot any drive will do.

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[nutcase]

Thanks guys I know a 5 year warranty drive may not last that long, but it would be expensive for the supplier if they regularly didn't so I'm hoping the odds are good that the one I end up with does. Really looking for enterprise level of expected reliability (would love to have the money to do the array as well, but can't afford the number of drives needed for the 4.5tb of space needed

I'm using reds in the array already - wish they were 5 year warranty as well.

 

[Duke]

I would also go for a 3 year drive, like the WD Blue 3.5" ones (or even a small SSD to really keep the heat and noise down). However the 2.5" Black 500GB sounds like what you are after, even if you are paying quite a bit more for it.

 

[nutcase]

Well who'da thunked it? I took your advice and t 250gb WD Blue arrived this morning

Strangely when I registered it on WD.com it only shows as a 2 year warranty - investigations are afoot.

Thanks folks