9 most capacious hard drives

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In the old days, an 80 GB hard drive was enough to store data. Why chase volume when movies and games weighed only 700 MB each? And they were often stored not on the HDD, but on an optical disk. Now everything has changed. Even a five-minute video shot in 4K resolution will weigh several gigabytes. In a word, now more and more hard drives are required that can accommodate a huge amount of data. That is why we decided to tell you about the best such devices. You will be surprised at how much data can be stored in the largest hard drives available to the average consumer.

Rating of the most capacious hard drives

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Largest Desktop & Server Hard Drives	1	Seagate ST14000DM001	RUB 39,415
	2	Western Digital WD Gold 12 TB (WD121KRYZ)	RUB 33,549
	3	HGST HUH721010ALE604	RUB 19,922
	4	Western Digital WD Red 6 TB (WD60EFRX)	13 431 RUB
Largest external hard drives	1	Lacie STFK60000400	RUB 325 796
	2	Western Digital My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 32 TB (WDBNFA0320KBK)	RUB 126,635
	3	Seagate STEL8000200	RUB 12,700
	4	Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB (WDBW LG 0060HBK-EESN)	11 186 RUB
	5	Lacie STFD5000400	11 390 rub.

Largest Desktop & Server Hard Drives

Seagate ST14000DM001

Rating: 4.9

As you might have guessed from the name of this hard drive, it has a capacity of 14 TB! Outrageous volume! Such a large storage capacity may be required for installation on a server that contains many sites. If we talk about ordinary users, then only video bloggers come to mind, trying to delight their subscribers with new videos almost every day. In this case, wouldn't it be better to buy several smaller hard drives? The cost of this model reaches 40 thousand rubles. If the HDD suddenly fails, you will be very sorry for the money spent. However, a long warranty and reliable assembly do their job – the buyer is unlikely to be seriously afraid of problems.

Unlike less capacious brothers, Seagate ST14000DM001 has 256 MB of buffer memory. It is also impossible not to notice that the usual design would make access to this or that information extremely long. In this regard, the manufacturer has built 16 heads here. One can only wonder how such a large number of them fit into the traditional 3.5-inch form factor. As for the rotation speed, it is 7200 rpm. This is the maximum for the stable operation of a modern hard disk – no one risks exceeding this parameter yet, since one day this can lead to a physical rupture of the magnetic plate.

The product is connected to a computer via a 6 Gigabit SATA connector. The maximum data is read at a speed of 600 Mb / s. It was possible to achieve this parameter precisely due to the use of a larger number of heads. It turns out that in terms of data read speed, this hard drive is comparable to the average budget SSD drives!

It should be noted that this model requires a computer or server case with good cooling. If its temperature reaches 60 ° C, then an emergency shutdown is possible. Otherwise, this is a typical hard drive. During its work, it makes noise, but not much – the corresponding measurements showed no excess of the 28 dB mark. The shock resistance is quite high here, although in this regard the device is also inferior to solid-state drives. As for the average latency, it only reaches 4.16 ms.

Advantages

• Extremely large capacity;
• Large amount of buffer memory;
• Implemented NCQ support;
• Not very high latency;
• Very high reading speed;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Astronomical price tag for HDD.

Western Digital WD Gold 12 TB (WD121KRYZ)

Rating: 4.8

Already a little less capacious, but still the same expensive hard drive. It offers approximately 12 TB of data storage. At the same time, the manufacturer recommends installing your creation exclusively on the server. It is possible that this is due to the high noise level, reaching 36 dB. If your computer has a power supply unit that turns on the 'turntable' only under heavy load, and some kind of water cooling for the processor, then the hard drive will really be heard when reading and writing data. Well, during idle time, the noise level is reduced to the traditional 20 dB. As for the connection method, it uses a regular SATA connector that supports speeds of 6 Gb / s.

The maximum read and write speed is equal here – it is 255 MB / s. There are fewer heads that read information. However, the above speed is quite enough for most users. It should also be noted that a 256 MB buffer memory is used here. Plates rotate at 7200 rpm – as we have already mentioned, this is the maximum at which their safety is possible.

The manufacturer claims that you can use its hard drive for 2.5 million hours – only after such a period something can happen to it. It seems that it is for the sake of such numbers that an expensive HDD is bought – this is the case when a long storage period of information is more important than a high speed of reading or writing it.

It remains to add that the device has a high shock resistance, and the power consumption of the hard drive does not exceed 6.9 W.

Please note that this model is slightly longer than usual. The increase in space inside the hard drive allowed the device to be kept cool – it does not heat up even with active use for many hours. But in this regard, you may need a new installation carriage to mount the HDD.

Advantages

• Minimum heating;
• Sufficiently high speed of reading and writing;
• Long service life;
• Very large capacity;
• Implemented NCQ support.

disadvantages

• Very high cost;
• The noise level is higher than usual.

HGST HUH721010ALE604

Rating: 4.7

It must be one of the most popular hard drives in our rating, if we talk exclusively about models intended for installation in a server or a home computer system unit (we will also consider external HDDs a little later). The capacity of this device does not exceed 10 TB. This is still the volume that hardly anyone will think is insufficient. For an ordinary user, it will even be redundant – that is why the manufacturer offers this model only to server owners.

The drive belongs to the traditional 3.5-inch form factor. As expected, the product has a buffer memory, and its volume reaches 256 MB. The magnetic plates located under the metal case are capable of rotating at a speed of 7200 rpm. What is the resulting read and write speed – the manufacturer does not specify. However, reviews on HGST HUH721010ALE604 say that this parameter may well reach 237-249 Mb / s. Not a bad result, which is unattainable with less capacious and cheaper hard drives. Of course, to use files at this speed, you will need to connect to the latest generation SATA connector.

Some claims to the HDD can only be made about the average access time, when recording this parameter reaches 8.6 ms. However, only models with lower density plates are faster. Well, about the noise level of about 36 dB, hardly anyone will complain, especially if the hard disk really will be in the server.

The manufacturer claims that the MTBF is 2.5 million hours. Nobody has been able to check this statement yet, because the HDD was released relatively recently. It remains to add that the device has a standard power consumption not exceeding 6.8 W.

Advantages

• Large volume;
• The optimal price tag for such a capacity;
• Decent amount of buffer memory;
• High speed of reading and writing;
• Very long MTBF;
• Almost does not heat up.

disadvantages

• The noise level will definitely sound too high.

Western Digital WD Red 6 TB (WD60EFRX)

Rating: 4.6

As you know, Western Digital divides all its hard drives into several lines. The Red series consists of the most durable solutions. Such 'hard drives' have a high spindle speed, but not a record one – the manufacturer is trying to ensure that nothing happens to the magnetic plates. For example, the discs of the model under consideration rotate at a speed of 5400 rpm. The volume of the device does not exceed 6 TB. It is clear that with this parameter a huge amount of buffer memory is not required – 64 MB is enough. It should be noted that the noise level during reading or writing information is 28 dB – only 3 dB more than when idle. This makes it possible to recommend the drive for installation in a home or office NAS. You can also insert it into the system unit – the SATA connector used here does not interfere with this at all. However, its insides must be well cooled, since with regular use, the hard drive can noticeably heat up. However, reviews indicate that you need to try hard to reach the temperature at which the HDD is urgently turned off.

In terms of other characteristics, this is a typical hard drive that is unlikely to amaze you with anything. It is quite shock-resistant, but it is far from the performance of solid-state drives. MTBF is only 1 million hours. However, even this 'just' is enough for the vast majority of buyers. Well, the power consumption is reduced here to 5.3 watts.

Advantages

• Extremely high read and write speed;
• Not very high noise level;
• Decent lifespan;
• There is support for NCQ;
• The volume should definitely suit the average user;
• The price tag cannot be called astronomical.

disadvantages

• Some specimens are noisier than others;
• The speed of rotation of the plates still does not suit everyone.

Largest external hard drives

Lacie STFK60000400

Rating: 4.9

How big can a modern external drive be? Our rating shows that it is almost infinitely capacious. A model called Lacie STFK60000400 can store up to 60 TB of data! Of course, this was achieved by combining several HDDs at once. In fact, for 320-330 thousand rubles. you get an entire NAS storage that includes six 3.5-inch hard drives. The device is colored gray, and its operation is indicated by a blue LED. Each HDD is located in a sliding compartment. If the need arises, any hard drive can be replaced very quickly. The entire set of drives is capable of operating in both RAID 0 and RAID 5 or RAID 6. This means that you will be able to duplicate information by writing it to two hard drives simultaneously. If one of the drives suddenly fails, the information will definitely remain on the other. In this mode of use, 60 TB does not look like some kind of prohibitive volume, does it?

In certain operating modes, you can achieve read and write speeds of 1400 MB / s. It's something with something! Only SSDs connected via the M.2 standard can beat this result, which we will also talk about someday!

On the back panel of this 'box' you can find not only the power connector, but also two Thunderbolt 3 interfaces. It is through these ports that the highest speed of data transmission and reception is possible. However, if your computer does not have the aforementioned connector, then a USB-C connection is available, corresponding to the USB 3.1 standard. Theoretically, the speed of such a port reaches 10 Gbps, so no problems should arise. Connection cable included. And it would be strange if they forgot about it – with such a price tag … It is present in the box with an external hard drive (if it can be called that after all) and a power adapter.

Advantages

• A large number of ultra-high speed connectors;
• Extremely fast read and write speed;
• The huge volume;
• Several operating modes;
• The kit contains everything you need;
• Hard drives are easy to change.

disadvantages

• Astronomical cost;
• In fact, only stationary use.

Western Digital My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 32 TB (WDBNFA0320KBK)

Rating: 4.8

The My Cloud line includes two different categories of external hard drives. The first includes typical portable devices, which contain only one drive. Well, the representative of the second category got into our rating. In fact, this is a full-fledged NAS storage, hard drives in which are located in special sliding bays. Even a quad-core processor Intel Pentium is installed here – it is responsible for the correct redistribution of information across drives and solving some other tasks.

The device is a fairly large black 'box'. In total, four 3.5-inch HDD drives are placed here. Also, this model has a display equipped with a pleasant backlight. A familiar button is used to start the device – it is located right next to the hard drive bays. There is also a USB 3.0 connector. Speaking specifically about this port, it is intended solely for connecting another drive – for example, a traditional flash drive. As for the transfer of information from HDDs, other interfaces are used for this, which should be looked for on the rear panel.

The network storage device is obliged to provide access to information via Ethernet connectors. There are exactly two of them. The cable from them can be pulled either to the router, or directly to the computer. However, in the second case, it is easier to use USB 3.0 ports, of which there are also two on the rear panel.

This design can be used for backup (there is even a corresponding button here), and as an FTP server, and for accessing media data via DLNA. The hard drives installed inside can have any modern file system – this will not interfere with the firmware. They can also be combined into RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10. The default storage capacity is 32 TB.

Such a NAS will definitely come in handy anywhere in a large office. It can be easily accessed by several computers at once. And a sufficiently high speed of reading and writing data should please video bloggers. And do not forget that any hard drive can be replaced with a faster one – one of those discussed above.

Advantages

• There are high-speed connectors;
• There is a backup button;
• Large volume;
• Data encryption available;
• Uses 4 GB of RAM and a powerful processor;
• Many operating modes;
• It is possible to connect an additional external storage;
• Great appearance.

disadvantages

• Very high cost;
• The work cannot be called very quiet.

Seagate STEL8000200

Rating: 4.7

Of course, our rating could not fail to include traditional external hard drives, which by no means can be considered network storage. Usually the capacity of such drives is 3-4 TB, but there are exceptions to the rule – the Seagate STEL8000200 is capable of storing up to 8 TB of data. This device belongs to the 3.5-inch form factor. This leads to its main drawback – an external hard drive requires additional power, it simply does not have enough power from USB.

As you might guess, an external drive is connected to a computer or some other technique via USB 3.0. At the same time, two additional USB ports are located on the body of the device – you can connect a flash drive or something else to them, using the device we are considering as a hub.

This model turned out to be quite heavy – its weight is 1 kg. But nothing else was expected, because there is a fairly large hard drive inside. Unfortunately, this is not the fastest drive. As you know, the USB 3.0 standard supports data transfer at speeds up to 500 Mb / s. But still it will not be possible to achieve it. However, this external HDD is not particularly slow either.

Should I buy Seagate STEL8000200 for 14 thousand rubles? As they say, it's up to you to decide. If data transfer speed is important to you, then it is better to look for some other model. If you are looking for a large external hard drive for backups, then this is a good option. This drive is not suitable for home – it gets very hot and makes a lot of unnecessary sounds.

Advantages

• Large volume;
• The dimensions are not particularly large;
• The kit contains everything you need;
• There is a USB hub;
• Not an exorbitant price tag.

disadvantages

• Not the highest read and write speed;
• It is necessary to provide power supply;
• Increased heating;
• Decent noise level.

Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB (WDBW LG 0060HBK-EESN)

Rating: 4.7

This is a familiar external drive belonging to the 3.5-inch form factor. There is no USB hub or any other additional 'chips' here. The manufacturer tried to get rid of all that was superfluous in order to reduce the size of its product. As a result, this external drive is only slightly larger than any of its internal siblings.

Like other external HDDs of the same form factor, this model requires an electrical connection. The volume of this drive reaches 6 TB. For home use, this is definitely enough. On such a hard disk, you can safely download movies in 4K-resolution, which usually weigh 40-80 GB. Connection to a computer or router is carried out via USB 3.0. The maximum bandwidth, of course, cannot be achieved, after all, there is not the fastest 'hard drive' here. But the HDD justifies its cost, which is about 12 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• Not very high cost;
• The hard drive is not the noisiest;
• Adequate volume;
• Not very large.

disadvantages

• The case is easily damaged;
• Requires a power adapter connection;
• Not very high read and write speed.

Lacie STFD5000400

Rating: 4.6

Unfortunately, a large hard drive is difficult to compact. As you may have noticed, our rating mainly includes only models belonging to the 3.5-inch standard size. And only one external HDD hides a 2.5-inch 'hard drive' inside it – this is Lacie STFD5000400. The volume of this silvery handsome man is 5 TB. It seems that such a hard disk is quite enough for downloading 4K movies from the Internet. And if you use it to store photos taken with your smartphone, then the place risks not running out for the next ten years.

The device turned out to be very light – all the other representatives of our collection are at least three times heavier. Data transfer is carried out via USB 3.1 Type-C. This is perhaps the main difference between this model and cheaper pocket external HDDs – they usually use a completely different connector.

Is the drive worth the 13 thousand rubles that they ask for? It is extremely difficult to answer this question. Belonging to the 3.5-inch form factor, the drives have slightly faster read and write speeds. But they require additional power supply, and this imposes some restrictions on their use. Here everything is as simple as possible: you connect the hard drive to, say, a TV, and then start viewing the files it contains.

Advantages

• Nice silver body;
• The price tag cannot be called too high;
• Small size and weight;
• A USB Type-C connector is used;
• Huge volume for such a form factor;
• No need to connect power.

disadvantages

• There are questions about reliability;
• Low speed of reading and writing.

Conclusion

Now you know which hard drives are the most capacious today. It seems that the article will be relevant for at least two or three years – up to the active popularization of video equipment that can shoot in 8K resolution. In the meantime, large manufacturers of computer components are investing in the development of solid state drives, and by no means HDD. However, this is a completely different topic for conversation.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.