What is the difference between a hard drive (HDD) and an SSD?

An HDD stores data on a spinning magnetic platter, while an SSD uses flash memory with no moving parts. SSDs are much faster and better for your operating system and active games, but HDDs are far cheaper per terabyte, which makes them ideal for bulk storage, media libraries and backups. The common approach is an SSD for the OS plus a large HDD for everything you want to keep.

How much hard drive capacity do I need?

For general storage and backups, a 2TB to 4TB drive is usually enough. Large game, video and photo libraries are better on 6TB to 12TB, while NAS and archival setups often use 14TB to 20TB or more. Buy one size ahead of your current needs, as larger drives usually offer a better price per terabyte for bulk storage.

What is the difference between CMR and SMR hard drives?

CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) uses non-overlapping tracks and keeps write speed consistent under any workload. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) overlaps tracks for cheaper high-capacity storage, but write speed drops sharply during sustained writes and RAID rebuilds. Choose CMR for a NAS or RAID array; SMR is acceptable for a plain backup or media drive. Always check the exact model number, as drives in the same family can differ.

Which hard drives are best for a NAS?

For a NAS, use drives rated for 24/7 operation and RAID, such as WD Red Plus and Red Pro, Seagate IronWolf and IronWolf Pro, or Toshiba N300. These are CMR across the range, so RAID rebuilds stay fast and reliable, and they are built to handle the higher yearly workload and vibration of a multi-bay enclosure. Avoid plain desktop or SMR drives in a NAS array.

Does 7200 RPM matter, and what does cache do?

RPM is how fast the platters spin. 7200 RPM drives like the Seagate BarraCuda and WD Black move large files faster and are the default for performance storage, while 5400-class drives run cooler and quieter for backups. Cache (typically 64MB to 256MB) is a small memory buffer that smooths transfers; more cache helps with heavy or repeated access, but RPM and capacity matter more for everyday use.

What is the difference between an internal and an external hard drive?

Internal drives connect via SATA inside a desktop or laptop, with 3.5-inch models offering the best capacity and value and 2.5-inch models suiting laptops and compact builds. External drives connect over USB and need no installation: portable 2.5-inch drives are bus-powered and easy to carry, while larger 3.5-inch external drives need a mains adapter but hold more. Choose internal for a permanent build, external for portable storage and off-machine backups.

Do hard drives come with a warranty in South Africa?

Yes. Hard drive warranty varies by model and tier, with NAS and pro drives generally covered for longer than standard desktop drives. Warranties cover manufacturing defects, not physical or accidental damage. Keep regular backups regardless, as any drive can fail.

Can I use one hard drive for both my operating system and storage?

You can, but it is not ideal, because an HDD is slower than an SSD and running your operating system from it makes boot times and app loading sluggish. The better setup is an SSD for the operating system and frequently used programs, with an HDD alongside for games you play less often, media and backups. This gives you fast day-to-day performance and cheap high-capacity storage together.

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Hard Drives (HDD) - Cheap Storage per Terabyte

A hard drive (HDD) is the cheapest way to store large amounts of data per terabyte, which is why it stays the workhorse for game libraries, video, photo archives, backups and NAS storage. HDDs are slower than SSDs because they read and write with a spinning platter and moving head, so the smart setup is an SSD for your operating system and games you play now, plus a high-capacity HDD for everything you want to keep. Evetech stocks internal 3.5-inch desktop drives, 2.5-inch drives, external and portable drives, and dedicated NAS and surveillance models from Western Digital, Seagate and Toshiba, in capacities from a few terabytes up to 20TB and beyond.

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How to Choose a Hard Drive (HDD)

Start with the job the drive has to do. For bulk storage and backups inside a desktop, a 3.5-inch SATA drive gives you the most space for your money. For a network-attached storage box or a home server running 24/7, buy a purpose-built NAS drive rated for continuous operation. For surveillance and always-on camera recording, a dedicated surveillance drive is tuned for constant streaming writes. And for storage you carry between machines, an external or portable USB drive is the simplest option.

Capacity is measured in terabytes and is the main thing you pay for. A 2TB to 4TB drive suits a general storage or backup drive; 6TB to 12TB fits large game, video and photo libraries; and 14TB to 20TB or more is aimed at NAS and archival use. Buy a size ahead of what you need now so you are not replacing the drive in a year, and remember the price-per-terabyte usually improves as capacity goes up, making larger drives better value for bulk storage.

Spindle speed is how fast the platters spin. 7200 RPM drives (Seagate BarraCuda, WD Black, most NAS drives) are quicker for large file transfers and are the default for performance storage. Slower 5400-class drives run cooler, quieter and cheaper, which suits backups and archives where speed is not critical. Cache (also called buffer, typically 64MB to 256MB or more) is a small pool of memory that smooths out transfers; larger cache helps with heavy or repeated file access, though it matters less than RPM and capacity for everyday storage.

CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) writes to non-overlapping tracks and delivers consistent write speed under any workload. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) overlaps tracks for more capacity at a lower cost per terabyte, but write speed drops sharply during sustained writes and RAID rebuilds. For a plain backup or media drive, SMR is fine and saves money. For a NAS, a RAID array or heavy write workloads, choose CMR: SMR drives can stall and turn a rebuild that should take hours into days. Two drives in the same family can differ, so check the exact model number before you buy.

Desktop drives (Seagate BarraCuda, WD Blue) are built for a PC that switches off overnight. NAS drives (WD Red Plus / Red Pro, Seagate IronWolf / IronWolf Pro, Toshiba N300) are rated for 24/7 operation, higher yearly workloads and vibration in multi-bay enclosures, and are CMR across the range for safe RAID rebuilds. Surveillance drives (WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk) are tuned for the constant streaming writes of security cameras and NVRs. Matching the drive class to how it will run is the single biggest factor in how long it lasts.

Internal 3.5-inch SATA drives go inside a desktop and offer the best capacity and value. Internal 2.5-inch drives are smaller and used in some laptops and compact builds, but top out around 5TB to 6TB. External and portable USB drives need no installation: portable 2.5-inch models are bus-powered and easy to carry, while larger 3.5-inch external drives need a mains adapter but give you more capacity for desktop backups. If you want the drive as a fast working disk rather than bulk storage, consider an SSD instead.

Once you know the type, the specs that matter are capacity, spindle speed (RPM), cache, and the recording technology (CMR vs SMR). Pair whichever HDD you choose with an SSD for your operating system so the whole system still feels fast; the HDD then handles the bulk data where price-per-terabyte, not raw speed, is what counts.

Hard Drives for Storage, Backup & NAS (25)

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