How to monitor internal HDD temperature?

Please combine your two threads in one, its more easy.

So where's your backup? Ehh, your RAID1 you say. But this isn't really a backup, its live synchronisation. It lacks history; virusses, filesystem corruption, accidental deletions and issues in your computer system may all cause data loss even on RAID1.

So a backup is worth more than a RAID1. Having a backup seperate from the RAID1 is probably the best. But you can also not use RAID1 but use one of the two disks as backup solution, either automated (it syncs your work every day or so) or manual.

Sorry, thought two threads would be simpler.

I just read also that it's not recommended to have the OS mirrored. Might have a rethink then - move one of the HDDs to a hot-swappable disk caddy and backup via some strategy daily (can then remove this to safe place in case of fire etc).

To answer the OP's actual question, you can use programs like HD tune or Speedfan to read the hard drive's temperature. Just be sure to have SMART function enabled in the bios.

Heat is the main factor in the lifespan of any electronics, not just hdd's.

There's absolutely no reason to monitor hdd temps. If you monitor your internal case temps and they are fine then your hdd's are fine.

I bought an Aerocooler Modern-V to provide additional temperature monitoring. One of the sensors is measuring ambient (about an inch in front of the first CPU fan). Still, I am not convinced that hot spots will not appear. If you are going to use an external sensor, Seagate recommends placing it near the end of the drive, opposite end to the connectors. I plan on placing a second probe there. I don't expect the HDD to be a problem; just want to make sure. I don't plan on putting a fan there but could if, against expectations, it becomes an issue.

I also plan on monitoring the internal sensors (CPU, quad heads, GPU, fan speeds) using the usual tools.