by 11 reviews.
Seagate IronWolf 12TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD Review: A Reliable Storage Powerhouse
The Seagate IronWolf 12TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is a high-performance storage solution designed for demanding environments. With a massive 12TB capacity, 7200 RPM speed, and a 256MB cache, this 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s hard drive is optimized for multi-user NAS systems. It features AgileArray firmware, rotational vibration sensors, and IronWolf Health Management (IHM) for enhanced durability and reliability. Whether you're a creative professional, a small business owner, or a home user with extensive storage needs, this drive promises to deliver exceptional performance and peace of mind with its 5-year limited warranty and 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Service.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
The Seagate IronWolf 12TB HDD shines when it comes to performance. Customers have praised its fast read/write speeds, especially for a hard drive of this size. One user mentioned, "The read/write times are quite decent as far as HDD drives go, especially at this size of storage. I am able to transfer large batches of files reliably in a reasonable amount of time without any issues." Another reviewer highlighted its speed when used with an external docking station, stating, "I'm able to run things nearly as fast as a cheap NVMe."
However, some users noted that the transfer speeds are typical for SATA technology, so don’t expect SSD-level performance. As one reviewer put it, "Don't expect fast transfer rates. Expect a reliable RAID 5 or RAID 6 to protect your data."
Durability and Reliability
Durability is a standout feature of the IronWolf 12TB HDD. Its AgileArray firmware and rotational vibration sensors ensure smooth operation even in high-workload environments. A customer running four of these drives in a NAS array shared, "I've had no SMART errors or bad sectors. They run about 32°C idle and 40°C under load, which is impressive for tightly packed drives."
That said, there have been isolated reports of drives arriving dead on arrival (DOA). One user mentioned, "I did have one drive that was dead on arrival, but with Amazon’s return process, it was no problem to get it replaced." While this is rare, it’s worth noting that no product is entirely immune to manufacturing defects.
Noise Levels
Noise is a common concern with high-performance hard drives, and the IronWolf 12TB is no exception. Several users described the drive as "audible when seeking data," with one reviewer noting, "Activity is very audible as a low rumble." However, most agreed that the noise level is manageable and not overly disruptive, especially when compared to older NAS drives.
Ease of Setup and Use
Setting up the IronWolf 12TB HDD is straightforward, according to customer feedback. One user shared, "It was very easy to set up, connected immediately, and has worked flawlessly since I installed it." Another appreciated the minimalist packaging, stating, "The package opens up to a drive in an anti-static bag surrounded by bubble wrap. Less waste, and easy to handle packaging is a nice treat."
However, some users emphasized the importance of using these drives in a RAID configuration. As one reviewer warned, "DO NOT INSTALL NAS DRIVES IN A SINGLE DRIVE FORMAT. NAS drives do not have drive recovery built into the drive since you want the RAID controller to handle the error."
Conclusion: Is the Seagate IronWolf 12TB HDD Worth It?
The Seagate IronWolf 12TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is a robust and reliable storage solution for anyone needing high-capacity, high-performance drives for NAS systems. Its fast read/write speeds, durable design, and advanced health monitoring features make it a top choice for creative professionals, businesses, and home users alike.
While the drive is slightly noisy and not as fast as SSDs, its reliability and value for money more than make up for these minor drawbacks. The occasional DOA issue is a concern, but Seagate’s warranty and Amazon’s return policy provide adequate protection.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a dependable, high-capacity NAS drive that delivers excellent performance and durability, the Seagate IronWolf 12TB HDD is a solid investment. Just make sure to use it in a RAID setup for optimal reliability and data protection.
Specification Seagate IronWolf 12TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD – CMR 3.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 7200 RPM 256MB Cache for RAID Network Attached Storage (ST12000VNZ008/ST12000VN0008):
Comments from Amazon:
I bought two of these for my new Synology NAS and they are working perfectly. I've had my old ReadyNAS box for a LONG time; it is noisy, slow, and hot. The combination of the Synology DS224+ and these drives has been much quieter, faster, and cooler. I store all my video projects (along with a LOT of other stuff) on this system. When I am copying files, I can hear the drives a little, but it is not bad at all. So far, I love the combination. Recommended.
This thing is a monster. It has the file size I need for all my games, music files, VODs, and documents. I have this hooked up to a Saberent USB 3.0 to Sata external docking station and I'm able to run things nearly as fast as a cheap nvme. The speed and durability of this thing is worth every penny. Its built like a quality hard drive should be.
I've got 4 of these as data drives in a NAS array, running 24/7 with a light workload, and have so far had no SMART errors or bad sectors. With my setup (tightly packed drives in an enclosure, noctura 120mm fan running at 100% speed) in 21 celcius ambient temps, they run about 32 c idle, and 40 c under load. I've read some mixed reviews about their reliability on a large scale in a datacenter setting, but for my needs as a homelab NAS drive, they are more than adequate for a better price than some other comparable drives from other manufacturers. I specifically bought due to their CMR, 7200 rpm, and cache size. They are definitely noisier than a normal consumer HDD, but not nearly as bad as I thought they'd be or I'd been led to believe. Activity is very audible as a low rumble. Edit: totally forgot that I did have one drive that was dead on arrival, but with Amazon’s return process was no problem to get it replaced.
Spindle drives are reliable, less expensive solutions for surveillance and NAS. They aren't as fast, but they make up for it in reliability. An enterprise NVMe drive has an expected life of 6 months in a NAS RAID. Enterprise M.2 & SATA III solid state drives last longer, but should always be installed as RAID 6 or double redundancy as they are not as reliable. Enterprise spindle NAS drives have 5 year warranties. The Seagate IronWolf PRO 8TB model is 7200RPM and CMR (AKA PMR). Understand that the warranty only covers the drive, not data recovery. That is why you are building a RAID in the first place. DO NOT INSTALL NAS DRIVES IN A SINGLE DRIVE FORMAT. Is it possible, yes. Is it a good idea, no. NAS drives do not have drive recovery built into the drive since you want the RAID controller to handle the error in order to ensure drive parity. Desktop drives such as the Seagate Barracuda are less expensive, and are able to handle errors at the disk level. Both drives prefer to run 24/7, but NAS drives are more sensitive to power cycling as well. For similar money to NAS drives, desktops and laptops are better off with NVME or solid state drives since they are faster and more power efficient. Just make sure to back up your data regularly since they aren't as reliable. The best part of these particular drives is how they are setup for a system builder. The package opens up to a drive in an anti static bag surrounded by bubble wrap. There are no instructions, software, hardware, or other things to get in the way. Less waste, and easy to handle packaging is a nice treat. If you do not have the parts to install the drives, you should seek other solutions. The drives are audible when they are seeking data on the platters. This may be annoying to some. The read / write speeds are spec for the SATA technology. Don't expect fast transfer rates. Expect a reliable RAID 5 or RAID 6 to protect your data. If you are setting up a new NAS, make sure you match the brand, size, revision, and firmware if possible. Never rely on software RAIDS also know as expanding RAIDS.
Llego rápido, ya lo pude probar en una NAS y funciona perfectamente
Recepción en buen estado, el disco lo entregaron en su empaque anti estático dentro de una caja de protección de plástico que evitando que el disco sufriera algún golpe directo o se moviera y golpeara contra la caja donde venia empacado, está instalado y funcionado sin ningún problema.
This is my third Seagate IronWolf internal NAS hard drive and the largest drive I've purchased to date. It was very easy to set up, connected immediately and has worked flawlessly since I installed it. The read/write times are quite decent as far as HDD drives go, especially at this size of storage. I am able to transfer large batches of files reliably in a reasonable amount of time without any issues. I have two of these drives installed in my studio workstation and one in an external dock. All of them have worked equally well, regardless of how they're connected. They are well designed and reliable, so they have become my go-to drives for file storage and backups. I trust them for short term storage, as well as backing up and archiving all of artwork, photos, videos, and studio documents long term. I also really appreciate the large storage space at this price point. I'm very pleased with my Seagate IronWolf internal NAS hard drives and plan to purchase another of these 12 GB drives in the near future for additional backups. I definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a large, reliable HDD drive at a reasonable price point!