Choosing the right hard drive is crucial for building a reliable and efficient NAS system. Currently, three standout models dominate the market: Toshiba Enterprise, WD Red Plus, and Seagate IronWolf Pro. This article provides a detailed comparison of the best HDDs for NAS and Home Servers to help you make an informed decision.
Comparison Table: Toshiba vs. WD Red Plus vs. Seagate IronWolf Pro
| Feature | Toshiba Enterprise | WD Red Plus | Seagate IronWolf Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Up to 18 TB | Up to 12 TB | 20 TB |
| Recording Technology | MAMR (CMR) | CMR | CMR |
| Rotational Speed | 7,200 RPM | 5,400 RPM | 7,200 RPM |
| Cache | 512 MB | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Transfer Rate | Up to 293 MB/s | Up to 215 MB/s | Up to 285 MB/s |
| MTBF | 2.5 million hours | 1 million hours | 2.5 million hours |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years |
| Special Features | Helium-sealed, full mounting points | Low noise | Helium-sealed, AgileArray, Rescue Service |
| Buy (Affiliate) | Amazon* newegg* | Amazon* newegg* | Amazon* newegg* |
Top 3 HDDs for NAS and Home Server
Caution: FARM Value Manipulation in Seagate Drives
Recent investigations have uncovered fraudulent practices involving Seagate hard drives, particularly affecting the Exos and IronWolf series. Scammers have been resetting SMART data and manipulating Field Accessible Reliability Metrics (FARM) to sell used drives as new. This makes it challenging to detect prior usage through standard diagnostics.
–> read more at Tom’s Hardware and Heise
To verify a drive’s authenticity:
- Use tools like smartmontools to check FARM values.
- Examine the production date; significant delays between manufacturing and purchase may indicate prior use.
- Inspect physical signs of wear, such as scratches or misaligned stickers.
For more detailed information, refer to the comprehensive report by Heise Online.
Conclusion: Selecting the Best HDDs for Your NAS
Your choice of HDD should align with your specific NAS requirements:
- Toshiba Enterprise: Ideal for users needing maximum storage and performance.
- WD Red Plus: Suitable for smaller NAS setups with moderate performance needs.
- Seagate IronWolf Pro: Best for professional environments requiring high reliability and additional services.
For further guidance on building your own NAS system with the best components, visit our Hardware Component Guide.
Hardware Components Guide
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