Good HDD for a NAS

[Twill]

Hi,

Anyone got any good ideas for a good value HDD to go in a NAS enclosure?

I'm getting a Synology DS112J, and notice that the version that comes loaded with a 2TB HDD already is more expensive than buying the enclosure and a separate HDD.

I don't really know anything about HDDs, so where's the value in this market when it comes to NAS applications? 3.5 or 2.5, what spin rate, green, specific brands, anyone got any experience?

Thoughts welcome, thanks.

 

[John Duncan]

Whether it's 2.5 or 3.5 will generally be NAS-dependent. Just checked the Synology and it will support both, so choose whatever gives you the best balance between price and storage. 3.5" will be available in much bigger sizes and - generalising - will be a bit cheaper for the equivalent drive for the same storage. What's not to like.

If it's just acting as a music server then 5400rpm will be fine, but if you want to use it for more general storage you might appreciate a 7200 disk. TBH there's not *that* much difference between them in price so I'd get the faster one unless you're absolutely trying to minimise outlay...

 

[John Duncan]

Sorry, as for brands, can't go wrong with Western Digital or Seagate.

 

[Twill]

Thanks JD, much appreciated.

What about these environmentally friendly green drives? Any idea if they're worth considering? As per my Sonos thread elsewhere, this can be an issue for me.

Thanks again.

 

[Xanderzdad]

If sound is a consideration a 'green' hdd (spinning at 5400) will run a fair bit quieter and cooler than a 7200rpm one. For most purposes i.e. streaming you wouldn't normally notice a speed difference in real world usage between the two. The exception possibly being intensive HD video combined with other access to the same disk such as other people streaming from it simultaneously.

 

[John Duncan]

+1

If it's music only and power consumption is important to you, green drives will be fine.

 

[Scissor_digits]

Also I'd advise sticking with Synologys compatibility list for HD's. It's worth noting at the bottom of this list there are 3 x 2.5" SATA disks that are not recommended

http://www.synology.com/support/hd.php?lang=enu&bays_id=1&product_id=101

As for power consuption ensure you select 'Low-Power Mode' via DSM regardless of the HD's green credentials

 

[jockey.wilson]

I run a Synology DS212j with two Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB drives. No reliability issues and both run quietly and relatively cool, with the warmest only ever reaching 38 degrees in my installation (inside a box)...