High-capacity HDDs are server and enterprise hard drives for disk arrays, backup systems and bulk storage that runs around the clock. The range includes SAS and Serial ATA III models from 2 TB to 8 TB. They suit IT teams, small businesses and system builders. Seagate, Axis and Western Digital drives are available.
How to choose a high-capacity HDD
Capacity. Our range covers 2 TB, 6 TB and 8 TB drives. Larger drives need fewer bays for the same total storage, but a failed drive also takes longer to rebuild in a RAID array, so plan your redundancy level with that in mind.
Interface. Both SAS and Serial ATA III drives are available, and SAS is the more common of the two in our range. SAS drives are built for enterprise controllers and backplanes. Serial ATA III drives work with ordinary SATA controllers. A SAS backplane can usually take SATA drives, but a SATA-only controller cannot use SAS drives, so check your hardware first.
Endurance. Three drives in our range list an MTBF (mean time between failures) of 2,000,000 hours. This is a statistical estimate across a large number of drives, not a lifespan for a single drive. Treat it as a way to compare models and always keep backups.
Array compatibility. Three drives are listed as components for disk arrays. Check the array manufacturer's list of supported drives, and match capacity and interface across all drives in the same array where possible.
Operating conditions. Three drives are rated for 5 to 60 °C in operation, 70 G operating shock and 300 G non-operating shock. Idle power consumption in our range runs from about 5 W to just over 7 W per drive. In a full rack, this adds up in both electricity and heat.
High-capacity HDD brands we carry
- Seagate: one of the largest hard drive manufacturers in the world, with dedicated drive families for data centres and enterprise storage.
- Western Digital: a long-established hard drive maker and Seagate's main rival, supplying drives for servers, NAS devices and data centres.
- Axis: best known for network cameras and video surveillance systems, which is why its storage products suit recording and monitoring setups.
High-capacity HDD FAQ
What is a high-capacity HDD?
A high-capacity HDD is a hard drive designed to hold large amounts of data in servers, disk arrays and backup systems. These drives are built for continuous operation rather than occasional desktop use. In our range, capacities run from 2 TB to 8 TB.
What is the difference between SAS and SATA hard drives?
SAS is an enterprise interface designed for servers and storage arrays, while SATA is the standard interface in desktop PCs and many entry-level servers. SAS drives need a SAS-capable controller. SATA drives connect to almost any modern motherboard.
Can I use an enterprise hard drive in a normal PC?
A Serial ATA III enterprise drive can be used in a desktop PC, as it connects to a standard SATA port. A SAS drive cannot, unless you add a SAS controller card. Enterprise drives are tuned for arrays, so they can be louder than ordinary desktop drives.
What does MTBF mean on a server hard drive?
MTBF stands for mean time between failures and is a statistical estimate of reliability across a large group of drives. A rating of 2,000,000 hours does not mean one drive will last that long. It is most useful for comparing drive models, and it does not replace regular backups or RAID redundancy.
