Will new HGST drive have full lifetime with old manufacture date?

[ericfree1]

Just purchased a "brand new" 6TB HGST HDD. Was surprised to see "FEB-2015" shown as the manufacture date on the drive I received. I want a long-lasting reliable drive. So it's already over 3 years old -- but not yet used..

I know drives can fail after a small handful of years. Do you know if this drive would already be considered aged, even though not used? I am better off returning it, and buying a more recently manufactured drive?

 

[asoroka]

It should be fine, provided that it has been stored correctly. Your warranty starts from when you purchased the hdd.

What ages a hdd is vibration and rotation. Typically hdd manufacturers expect an annual failure rate of 0.75% in the fiirst year.

So you should still consider a backup to your data.

 

[failboat]

You need to be prepared for failure either way.

 

[ericfree1]

For sure, I'll have all my data backed up regardless. I'm just wanting to make sure I get about as much lifetime out of this drive compared a drive manufactured more recently.

 

[asoroka]

I don't think you will notice the difference unless you are in the unlucky 0.75%