SATA server hard drives are enterprise-class disks for servers, NAS units and workstations, bought mostly to add capacity, replace a failed drive or build a RAID array. Our range covers over 60 models, led by HPE, Toshiba, Western Digital and Seagate, with Lenovo, Synology and IBM also represented.
How to choose a SATA server hard drive
Form factor. Check whether your server bays take 3.5-inch (large form factor) or 2.5-inch (small form factor) drives. The 3.5-inch size is the usual choice for high capacity per drive, while 2.5-inch drives let a chassis hold more disks in the same space.
Compatibility with your server. Look up the exact server model and generation before ordering. Drives sold for HPE, Lenovo or IBM systems are often supplied for that vendor's hot-plug trays, and the server may expect that vendor's part number or firmware. A drive that fits the bay physically can still be flagged or ignored by the controller.
Capacity. Work out the usable space you need after RAID overhead, then add room for growth. Mirroring halves the raw capacity, and RAID 5 or RAID 6 gives up one or two drives' worth. Several mid-sized drives often rebuild faster after a failure than a few very large ones.
Speed and interface. Most SATA server drives spin at 7,200 rpm and connect at 6 Gb/s, which suits bulk storage, backups and archives. If the workload is a busy database or virtual machine host, consider whether SAS drives or SSDs are a better fit, and confirm your controller accepts SATA at all.
Workload rating. Enterprise and nearline drives are built for continuous operation and are rated for higher annual workloads than desktop disks. Read the manufacturer's datasheet for the drive's workload and reliability figures, and keep these drives in servers and NAS units rather than mixing them with consumer models in the same array.
SATA server hard drive brands we carry
- HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise, also listed as HP Enterprise): the largest group in our range, made for ProLiant and similar servers, with the part numbers and tray format those systems expect.
- Toshiba: a long-standing maker of 3.5-inch enterprise and nearline hard drives, widely used in data centres and NAS builds.
- Western Digital: known for its Ultrastar and WD Gold enterprise lines, aimed at servers and storage arrays.
- Seagate: known for its Exos enterprise drives, built for large-capacity nearline storage.
- Lenovo: supplies drives matched to its ThinkSystem and ThinkServer machines, which helps when you want vendor-approved parts.
- Synology: a NAS specialist whose branded drives are intended for its own storage systems.
Also in our range: IBM.
SATA server hard drives: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SATA and SAS server drives?
SAS drives are designed for heavier, more demanding server workloads and offer features such as dual ports and deeper command queues. SATA drives usually cost less per terabyte and suit bulk storage, backups and file serving. Many SAS controllers can run SATA drives, but a SATA-only controller cannot run SAS drives.
Can I use a normal desktop hard drive in a server?
You can physically fit one in many servers, but it is not advised for continuous use. Desktop drives are rated for lighter workloads and less vibration than enterprise drives. In a RAID array they can also behave differently when they hit a read error, which may cause the controller to drop them.
Will an HPE drive work in a server from another manufacturer?
It often will if the interface and form factor match, because the underlying drive is a standard SATA disk. The tray, however, is usually specific to the HPE server, so you may need a different caddy. Some systems also show warnings for drives without their own vendor firmware.
Are SATA server drives hot-swappable?
They can be, but it depends on the server, not just the drive. You need a backplane and controller that support hot-plug, plus a matching tray. Check your server's documentation before removing a disk while the system is running.
