Does HDD life depends on how often it is used?

stran10

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Oct 9, 2015
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I need to expand the storage of my old PC. It is still using a 5 year old WD 500GB HDD. I need around 2TB of space for current (I need to transfer around 700GB from the 1 TB seagate external HDD as I'm giving this to my brother) and for future files. Now my question is should I get an external 2TB drive or an internal one?. I need to access this data (personal videos and stuffs) for twice or thrice a week and I need at least 5-6 years of lifetime for the HDD. If I store my data on external HDD and rarely use it will it increase the life span of the drive or should I get an internal one and store my data on it (because my current WD is old and have no idea when it will fail).
 
Solution
Even new drives can fail. If the files are important, then don't trust ANY hdd to safely keep your files, and be able to always access them. You must have backups. HDD's can fail at any time. I've seen drives that were DOA, I've seen some fail in the first week, and I've also seen drives last many years(over 15).

As far as internal or external, if you need portability, then get an external. If you will only use this PC to access the files, then get an internal. External drives are great, but they can be dropped.
Even new drives can fail. If the files are important, then don't trust ANY hdd to safely keep your files, and be able to always access them. You must have backups. HDD's can fail at any time. I've seen drives that were DOA, I've seen some fail in the first week, and I've also seen drives last many years(over 15).

As far as internal or external, if you need portability, then get an external. If you will only use this PC to access the files, then get an internal. External drives are great, but they can be dropped.
 
Solution

Darkvillan

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Sep 15, 2015
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I wouldn't say it effects the life span of it, but the more your hardrive is going, the more chances it has to crash and fail. So technically yes, how long your drive will last does depend on how much you use it. Backups are a must for any drive, so keep your files in a second place for safety.
 

punkncat

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How much you use it is a factor with any kind of drive including SSD. Additionally, heat, humidity, vibration, and other factors can shorten lifespan.

Look into "server" level or "surveillance" level HDD (like black, purple, etc) which are designed for more use and better reliability.

Anything you keep on HDD should at least be in mirror if not redundant (parity) RAID.
 
Mirror (raid) is not a backup. The only thing a raid(mirror) does is provide hardware or drive redundancy - you will still have access to the data if a drive fails.
If your data gets corrupt, or you get hit by a crypto virus and your files get encrypted. or you accidentally delete or change a file, the mirror wouldn't help. You still need a backup.