I'm looking for recommendations on an 8TB hard drive that is both silent and reliable. It's a significant investment for me, and I've come across some concerning reviews that have me worried. I plan to purchase the drive from a local store since online orders or imports aren't an option for me.
Currently, I have a 2TB WDC WD10EZEX that has been great for the past 9 years, along with a small 250GB SSD. The key point for me is silence, as I have issues with sleep and my living space is small. I haven't heard any troubling noise from my current drives.
I have an available spot for the new 8TB drive, which I intend to use primarily for storage of retro games, films, comics, music, etc. Speed isn't a huge concern. I was considering the 8TB Western Digital WD80EFPX, but I've read reports of it making random clicking noises, which doesn't sit well with me since I keep my PC on all the time. The store also has the 8TB Seagate ST8000DM004 and the 8TB Seagate IronWolf ST8000VN004, but I'm not entirely sure what the best option would be. Any advice?
1 Answer
It's true, many drives can make a clicking noise, but if they're functioning well, it's often nothing to worry about. I have two of the drives you're looking at in my NAS setup, and they don't click at all. I wouldn't say they're completely silent, but if your PC case dampens noise well, you should be fine. Just remember, hard drives do make some sound—it's just how it is. If you're concerned about quiet operation, consider checking if your case can absorb more sound. Also, when you get the drive, running a stress test with something like H2testw can help ensure the drive isn't faulty right off the bat.
Thanks! It helps to know that you have a positive experience. Do you think placing the new HDD at the bottom will minimize the noise?
Also, stress testing while under warranty—are you sure that wouldn't void it?