by 110 reviews.
Seagate 4TB Enterprise Capacity HDD Review: A Reliable Workhorse for Heavy-Duty Storage Needs
When it comes to enterprise-grade storage solutions, the Seagate 4TB Enterprise Capacity HDD (ST4000NM0033) stands out as a reliable and high-performance option. Designed for 24/7 operations, this renewed hard drive is perfect for NAS setups, RAID arrays, servers, and even desktop PCs. With its 7200 RPM speed, 128MB cache, and SATA III 6.0Gb/s interface, it promises fast data access and seamless integration into demanding environments.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
Pros:
- Fast Transfer Speeds
Many users praised the drive’s ability to handle large files efficiently. One customer mentioned, “Great transfer speeds, using for audio files, no problems at all.” - Reliable for NAS and RAID
Several reviewers highlighted its suitability for NAS setups. One user shared, “Bought these for a NAS setup and work well for the purpose.”
Cons:
- Not the Fastest Option
While the drive performs well, it’s not the fastest on the market. A reviewer noted, “Works, not blindingly fast but fast enough.” - Potential for Dropouts
One customer reported issues with random dropouts during installation, which required extensive testing and ultimately revealed faulty blocks.
Noise and Operation
Pros:
- Quiet Operation
Once up and running, the drive operates quietly. A reviewer said, “Spin up is a little noisy but purr quietly when on and running.”
Cons:
- Noisy Spin-Up
The initial spin-up noise can be noticeable, which might be a concern for noise-sensitive environments.
Durability and Longevity
Pros:
- Enterprise-Grade Reliability
Built for 24/7 operations, this drive is designed to withstand heavy workloads. One user mentioned, “Solid performer at an amazing price.” - 5-Year Warranty
The included warranty provides peace of mind for long-term use.
Cons:
- High Power-On Hours
Some drives come with significant usage history. A reviewer noted, “Each drive has about 3.5 years worth of power on time (30k+ hours).” Another shared, “Drive had almost 7 years of use on it.” - Mixed Refurbishment Quality
While many drives perform well, some customers received units that were not properly tested. One user reported, “Ran a butterfly test and all blocks came back bad.”
Value for Money
Pros:
- Affordable for Enterprise Use
The price point is hard to beat for an enterprise-grade drive. A reviewer said, “Three-year warranty for this low price is hard to believe.” - High Storage Capacity
At 4TB, it offers ample space for large-scale storage needs.
Cons:
- Better Alternatives Available
Some users found newer models to be more cost-effective. One customer mentioned, “Later bought a Seagate 8 TB faster and cheaper per TB stored.”
Final Verdict: Is the Seagate 4TB Enterprise Capacity HDD Worth It?
The Seagate 4TB Enterprise Capacity HDD (ST4000NM0033) is a solid choice for those seeking reliable, high-capacity storage for demanding environments. Its 7200 RPM speed, 128MB cache, and enterprise-grade durability make it a dependable workhorse for NAS setups, RAID arrays, and servers.
However, it’s not without its flaws. The noisy spin-up and potential refurbishment issues are worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a drive with minimal usage history. Additionally, while it’s a great value for its price, newer models like the Seagate 8TB might offer better performance and cost efficiency.
If you’re willing to take a chance on a renewed drive and prioritize reliability over cutting-edge speed, this Seagate HDD is an excellent investment. Just make sure to test it thoroughly upon arrival and keep backups handy for added peace of mind.
Specification Seagate 4TB Enterprise Capacity HDD 7200RPM SATA 6Gbps 128 MB Cache Internal Bare Drive (ST4000NM0033) (Renewed):
Comments from Amazon:
Working good, very silent hard drive, great transfer speeds, using for audio files, no problems at all, after formatting showed 3.6 TB. Thank you great item.
Drive arrived and while it was "refurbished" it was not tested. So when it had random dropouts during the install, ran a disk check on it and it had delayed write faults. Ran a butterfly test and all blocks came back bad. Clearly they did not perform a test of the drive when they "refurbished" it. I asked for a replacement and will see if that one is bad as well. While price is reasonable, it wouldn't be if the drive is not usable.
Solid performer at an amazing price. Three year warranty for this low price is hard to believe.
Works, not blindingly fast but fast enough.
Drive had almost 7 years of use on it. I don’t know how long it’ll last, but I guess I got what I paid for.
Can't fault it but later bought a Seagate 8 TB faster and cheaper per TB stored. Be aware that like me you should have Seagate 12 gb/s HDs as your main storage space. About same price and twice the speeed. But that requires a raid controller.
Bought these for a NAS setup and work well for the purpose. Each drive has about 3.5 years worth of power on time (30k+) hours which is expected for a previously used server drive. Spin up is a little noisy but purr quietly when on and running. Get these and put them in a raid with backups on hand and its a great deal for a LOT of storage space.