Looking for recommendations on a 4TB hard drive

vard

Hi guys,

Appreciate any input here. Direct links would be a bonus!

As it is I've got a surplus of video files / pictures which need to be stored. I also have a good amount of movies which I often stream with XBMC. Fairly generic requirements. I'd like something reliable, with plenty of space and at a good price.

I have an existing 2TB WD drive; I'm fairly certain I'd like to upgrade to 4TB. If there's a good price on something under that mark though I'd be happy to be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks so much,

Joseph

Does the system run 24/7? The 4TB's haven't reached a sweet spot yet IMO. I am looking at WD Reds they are considered prosumer in terms of reliability etc. Otherwise this guy is probably the best deal on 4TB.

By upgrade I presume you mean to add another drive, not replace?

vard

Joseph wrote: »

Does the system run 24/7? The 4TB's haven't reached a sweet spot yet IMO. I am looking at WD Reds they are considered prosumer in terms of reliability etc. Otherwise this guy is probably the best deal on 4TB.

By upgrade I presume you mean to add another drive, not replace?

Thanks a lot for the reply!

The system gets a fair share of use, but it doesn't run all the time. When it doesn't need to be on it's either left to sleep or is shut down.

I'll check through your links here now.

Serephucus

Yeah, a Western Digital Red is probably your best bet in terms of reliability. They also come with a 3-year warranty, vs. most other drives having 2.

Joseph is also right in that 4TB drives haven't really reached a good price/capacity ratio yet.

If you have the money, I'd look into getting two 3TB drives, and run backups. It's rumoured that WD will be bringing a 4TB version to market some time over the Summer, and a 5TB drive some time around late Q3/Q4.

vard

Cheers Serephacus. Might well consider the dual 3TB option.

I should have mentioned, I'm leaning more towards an external hard drive, as I tend to travel a fair bit with work and have a few laptops that I'd need to connect from time to time.

I did spot a seagate drive (the external version of the one Joseph linked I guess) on Amazon which looks to be going for a very good price. I sent a link in to flubit to see if they can give me a better offer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-STCA4000200-Backup-Desktop-Drive/dp/B008B6ODMQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1369511898&sr=1-4&keywords=4tb+external+hard+drive

There's also a 3TB toshiba drive which is going for 80 quid or so.

Serephucus

I'd go for the Seagate over the Toshiba. They've got a better history in terms of reliability. I also use a couple of the same drive (I'm almost sure it uses the same one) in my server, and so far they've been perfect (that said, I'm looking to upgrade to WD Reds at some point. :P)

vard

Serephucus wrote: »

I'd go for the Seagate over the Toshiba. They've got a better history in terms of reliability. I also use a couple of the same drive (I'm almost sure it uses the same one) in my server, and so far they've been perfect (that said, I'm looking to upgrade to WD Reds at some point. :P)

Cheers. Well, took the plunge and placed an order for the 4TB Seagate external drive. Got it through flubit for £125 including delivery.

Thanks again for the help!