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 drives sold at Evetech carry the manufacturer warranty, which 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, and Evetech handles RMA claims for covered drives. 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.

Hard Drives (HDD) South Africa - Bulk Storage

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Internal and external hard drives from WD, Seagate and Toshiba

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.

Hard Drives (HDD) - Cheap Storage per Terabyte

Hard Drives (HDD) - Cheap Storage per Terabyte

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How to Choose a Hard Drive (HDD)

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How to Choose a Hard Drive (HDD)