SCSI drives are hard drives with a SCSI interface, used to repair or extend older servers, workstations and industrial equipment. The range is small, with two drives, both unbranded. They suit technicians and businesses keeping legacy systems running rather than anyone building a new PC.
How to choose a SCSI drive
Connector type. Parallel SCSI drives come with different connectors, most commonly 50-pin, 68-pin and 80-pin SCA. The drive must match your backplane or cable, because adapters are not always available and can limit hot-swapping.
Interface standard and speed. SCSI went through several generations, such as Ultra160 and Ultra320, with higher maximum transfer rates each time. Newer drives usually work on older controllers but at the slower speed, so check what your controller supports before paying for a faster standard.
Rotational speed and capacity. Server SCSI drives were typically made at 10,000 or 15,000 rpm, which gives short access times for databases and busy file servers. Capacities are small by modern standards, so work out whether the drive needs to hold data or simply replace a failed unit in an existing array.
Matching the existing drives. In a RAID array, a replacement should match the others in interface, speed and ideally capacity. A mismatched drive may be limited to the lowest common specification or refused by the controller.
Model number and labelling. Both drives in our range are unbranded, so the listing carries no manufacturer name. Compare the model number and specification with your original drive or system manual before ordering.
SCSI drive brands in our range
- Unbranded: both SCSI drives are listed without a manufacturer name, so the model number and interface details are the main way to confirm compatibility with your system.
There are no subcategories here, and the two drives are listed together on this page.
SCSI drives: frequently asked questions
What is a SCSI hard drive?
A SCSI hard drive is a storage drive that connects through the Small Computer System Interface instead of SATA or SAS. It was widely used in servers and workstations because it handled several drives on one bus and offered high rotational speeds. Today it is mainly bought to maintain older equipment.
Can I use a SCSI drive in a modern PC?
Not directly, because modern motherboards do not have SCSI ports. You would need a SCSI host adapter card with a compatible slot and drivers for your operating system. For a new build, a SATA or SAS drive is a far simpler option.
What is the difference between SCSI and SAS?
SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) is the successor to parallel SCSI. It uses a serial connection with thin cables and faster transfer rates, while parallel SCSI uses wide ribbon cables and shared buses. The two are not compatible without special equipment, so a SCSI drive will not plug into a SAS controller.
How do I know which SCSI connector my drive needs?
Look at the connector on your existing drive or backplane and count the pins. A 50-pin, 68-pin or 80-pin SCA connector each needs a matching drive. If you are unsure, read the model label on the old drive and compare it with the specification of the replacement.
