by 13 reviews.
MDD 20TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Review: A High-Capacity NAS Solution
When it comes to data storage, especially for NAS (Network Attached Storage) systems, having a reliable and high-capacity hard drive is crucial. The MDD 20TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive promises to deliver just that. Designed for NAS environments, this hard drive boasts a massive 20TB storage capacity, a 7200 RPM speed, and a 256MB cache for quick data access. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
1. Performance and Usability
The MDD 20TB hard drive is designed for NAS systems, and many users have found it to be a reliable performer in this regard. One customer mentioned that they tested the drive using a USB dock and had no issues formatting or assigning drive letters. They also successfully integrated it into their Synology NAS, despite it not being on Synology’s confirmed compatibility list. The drives performed well during a two-day backup of TV shows and movies, maintaining stable temperatures and matching the performance of more expensive NAS-specific drives like WD Reds.
However, not all experiences were seamless. Some users reported issues with formatting, particularly on Linux systems. One customer encountered an "Input/output error" when trying to format the drive, which they attributed to the NAS firmware locking the drive out of desktop use. This suggests that while the drive excels in NAS environments, it may not be as versatile for other setups.
2. Durability and Reliability
Durability is a key factor for any hard drive, especially one designed for NAS systems. The MDD 20TB drive comes with a 1M hours MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) rating and a 5-year warranty, which gives users peace of mind. Many customers praised the drive’s reliability, with one user stating they’ve purchased multiple MDD drives (ranging from 8TB to 20TB) and have had no issues with most of them.
That said, there were a few reports of defective drives. One customer received two out of four drives with I/O errors, leaving their RAID array in a degraded state. Another user mentioned receiving a dead-on-arrival (DOA) drive, though Amazon promptly sent a replacement. These incidents highlight the importance of testing drives immediately upon arrival and ensuring you have a reliable return or replacement process in place.
3. Value for Money
One of the standout features of the MDD 20TB hard drive is its affordability compared to other NAS-specific drives from brands like Seagate and Western Digital. Customers appreciated the cost-effectiveness, with one user describing it as a "more practical, cost-wise solution." For those building large storage arrays, the savings can be significant, especially when purchasing multiple drives.
However, the lower price point does come with some trade-offs. A few customers expressed concerns about long-term durability, with one stating that these drives "will not last you" and comparing them unfavorably to Seagate Exos renewed drives. While the 5-year warranty provides some reassurance, it’s worth considering whether the potential for occasional defects is worth the savings.
4. Compatibility and Setup
The MDD 20TB drive is marketed as compatible with a wide range of devices, including desktops, NAS systems, RAID setups, and surveillance systems. Most users found it easy to install and integrate into their existing setups. One customer successfully used the drive in a 20TB RAID configuration, while another praised its performance in a media storage duplication setup.
However, as mentioned earlier, some users faced compatibility issues, particularly with Linux systems. If you’re planning to use this drive in a non-NAS environment, it’s worth double-checking compatibility and ensuring you have the necessary tools to format and configure the drive.
Conclusion: Is the MDD 20TB Hard Drive Worth It?
The MDD 20TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive is a compelling option for those in need of high-capacity, NAS-optimized storage. Its massive 20TB capacity, fast performance, and energy-efficient operation make it an excellent choice for data centers, surveillance systems, and media storage setups. The 5-year warranty adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that your investment is protected.
However, it’s not without its flaws. Some users reported defective drives and compatibility issues, particularly with Linux systems. While the drive performs well in NAS environments, it may not be the best choice for desktop use or other non-NAS setups. Additionally, while the price is attractive, the occasional quality control issues may give some users pause.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for an affordable, high-capacity NAS drive and are willing to test and potentially replace defective units, the MDD 20TB hard drive is a solid choice. However, if reliability and compatibility across multiple systems are your top priorities, you may want to consider more established brands, even if they come at a higher cost.
Specification MDD (MD20TS25672NAS) 20TB 7200 RPM 256MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (for NAS, Network Storage) - 5 Years Warranty:
Comments from Amazon:
I find them to be a more practical, (cost-wise) solution than NAS drives from other manufacturers like Seagate & Western Digital. I did have one drive fail to format so it went back immediately and the replacement formatted without issue. Both drives are now in a 20TB RAID configuration and are working flawlessly.
2 of the 4 drives where bad with I/O errors, my raid is in degraded state until I can get replacement drives. Still waiting on replacement info. Contacted support on 5/14/2024 and expected update within 3 business days per Vignesh with customer service, today is the 18th. Please provide update as soon as available.
This is my 4th (1 more arrives today so now 5) 20TB from this company. I also have 4-8TB, 3-12TB, 2-14TB and 3-16TB that are all working great. The first of the 4th 20TB ordered drives arrived DOA. I called Amazon and they sent a replacement that is working great. Today I have the 5th 20TB arriving. I am going to order a 6th 20TB next week. These will then be set up in 3, RAID 1, software arrays. The 5yr warranty is also a good benefit.
My last review got rejected. why? Anyway, these drives will not last you. These are worse that seagate exos renewed.
Installed this into my computer and only get back an "Input/output error" using Linux despite having this working and installed using other Internal Hard Drives under Seagate on the same PC. This means it is the NAS file system that is not formattable or removable unplugging everything. Hoping that the Enterprise edition runs very well without incident, but going to have to return this hard-drive. Getting back (udisks-error-quark, 0) whenever I try and format this product and there is no appearance of the hard-drive on Gparted and get back an error code of Error fsyncing /dev/sdb: input/output error which means the NAS drive is too strong and is locking this internal hard drive out of being used on a desktop PC even though it is advertised in this way. It pops-up 20 TB on the computer, but it is totally locked down by the NAS firmware which is not erasable on Linux.
Using 2 of these to duplicate media storage, so far they have performed well. Can't beat the price, time will tell.
Package came as expected, I didn't see a whole lot of reviews so decided to make my own. First tested with usb dock both drives at the same time and used Easeus Partition to add drives, connected with no issues after format and letter assigning. Next test added to my backup synology nas and even though it said thus drive was not one of synologys confirmed brands, both drives worked just fine. Last two days have been backing up my TV shows and movies from my main nas and both drives are staying in temp range and preforming just as well as my Wd Reds and a few other Nas specific drives I've purchased previously and for half the cost. Not saying I won't ever have any issues but so far so good and plus once they send you these your automatically registered for the 5 year warranty.