Single Big vs Multiple Small Capacity HDD

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xibalban

xibalban

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Hello forum,

I plan to install a single 3-TB HDD to quench my ever increasing storage thirst but let's argue a bit. The drive under question is WD Caviar Green 3-TB 7500 RPM SATA HDD. I know very less about storage, but I feel that I might be right in making the following arguments:

  • ■ If I choose multiple smaller capacities (like 500 GB) drives instead of a single 3 TB, a lot of data would be saved in events of disk failure because it is unlikely for all the drives to go bad at the same time
    ■ However, multiple drives occupy more bays and consume more power and require more cables
    ■ Perhaps, good disk partitioning practice eliminates the 1st (data loss) issue (??)
    ■ Partitioning with GPT (for capacities > 2.2 TB) has an edge over MBR type (??)
My PSU is a Seasonic 850 W Gold Certified 80. Arguments please, to help me decide better.

Note: The drive under question is purely for storage/dumping because I have an SSD for the OS/Programs, etc
 
Solution
RetiredChief
1) For Consummer HHD, does NOT pertain to the more expensive enterprise drives.
.. For the past 3 years my choice of HDDs is limited to WD Black and Samsung F3 (Now under Seagate).
.. I do NOT buy drives larger than 1 TB. The larger drives are less reliable.
.. I do NOT buy Blue of Green drives (nor Red with Yellow pokadot - Good go for bikinies - LOL) (Not sure But I think WD red drives are OK.

On Power consumpution - Should not be a issue with your PSU. Max Power per drive is around 10-12W when reading/writting per drive.

On data Loss. Single drive, multiple partitions. Depends on the failure mode. If FAT for a given partition is corrupted then dat would be lost for only that partition, If Boot sector is corrupted, or track 0...
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inerax

inerax

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I would get two 2tb or two 3tb drives. Run them in raid 1.

No need for lots of little ones.

You can get some bays that will take 2+ drives and let you choose if you run in a raid format. Or just install them inside your tower (I prefer this method)
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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1) For Consummer HHD, does NOT pertain to the more expensive enterprise drives.
.. For the past 3 years my choice of HDDs is limited to WD Black and Samsung F3 (Now under Seagate).
.. I do NOT buy drives larger than 1 TB. The larger drives are less reliable.
.. I do NOT buy Blue of Green drives (nor Red with Yellow pokadot - Good go for bikinies - LOL) (Not sure But I think WD red drives are OK.

On Power consumpution - Should not be a issue with your PSU. Max Power per drive is around 10-12W when reading/writting per drive.

On data Loss. Single drive, multiple partitions. Depends on the failure mode. If FAT for a given partition is corrupted then dat would be lost for only that partition, If Boot sector is corrupted, or track 0 is hosed then all data on the drive is lost. They do make some data recovery apps, but only give them a 25% chance for recovery - again depends on the failure mode.

Added - I do Not recommend Raid1, This ONLY protects against a single drive failure - there are many other failure modes that it does NOT protect from. Back up to a seperate external drive is by far better.
 
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inerax

inerax

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Raid1 may not be perfect. But it does protect against drive failure. If you run 4+ 500gb drives and 1 goes down you will have no backup of this.

I have ran dual WD carver black for a couple years and have no complaints. I do not run raid1. I have a backup program to backup from one drive to another. This may be a good option for you also.
 
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xibalban

xibalban

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It's a privilege to receive a response from a "Storage Expert". Thank you.
The thing is, I have a 1 TB Seagate & 250 GB Samsung 3.5" Drives occupying two drive bays on my existing 4-Bay capacity Cabinet (i.e. after I removed the top 4-bay module during installation of the HD 7970 GPU). These two drives are full to the brim and hence, I thought about the 3 TB addition.

 
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xibalban

xibalban

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Thanks. Well, I know very less about RAID (and I've been informed that it wastes precious space by duplicating data).
 
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xibalban

xibalban

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Advice noted, but alas I won't get a 2 TB Black at the price of 3 TB Green (sad but true).

 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Understand.
Just took a look at 3 TB WD Green.
.. THe warrantee is not 3 years, but only two.
.. Hugh 1/2 egg reviews 39% - BUT a good percentage my be Newegg induced - POOR shipping.
Ref: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136874
On the other hand the Toshiiba 3 TB on has 11% 1/2 egg rating and probably packed the same way and a 3 - yr warrantee.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149396

Bottom Line, Between the two I'd go with the Toshibia drive.
 
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xibalban

xibalban

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I get it. On second thought, let's leave the WD Color Coding for good, and settle down with the Toshiba you suggested, especially since the rates are at par.
 
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