by 11 reviews.
Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Storage Powerhouse
The Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive (ST8000VNZ04/N004) is a high-performance, NAS-optimized HDD designed for multi-user environments and demanding workloads. With a massive 8TB storage capacity, 7200 RPM speed, and 256MB cache, this drive is built to handle heavy-duty applications while ensuring reliability and durability. Whether you're managing a home media library, creative projects, or business data, the Seagate IronWolf promises seamless performance and long-term data protection.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
The Seagate IronWolf 8TB excels in delivering fast and consistent performance. Customers have praised its read/write speeds, especially for large file transfers. 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 compatibility with external docking stations, stating, "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."
However, some users noted that the drive’s speed is limited by 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."
Reliability and Durability
Reliability is a standout feature of the Seagate IronWolf. Many customers have reported using these drives in NAS setups for extended periods without issues. One user shared, "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." Another reviewer emphasized its durability, saying, "They are well designed and reliable, so they have become my go-to drives for file storage and backups."
That said, there have been isolated reports of dead-on-arrival drives. One customer 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."
Noise and Heat Management
The Seagate IronWolf is designed for 24/7 operation, but it does produce some noise during data-seeking activities. A reviewer noted, "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."
Heat management, on the other hand, seems to be well-handled. One user reported, "With my setup (tightly packed drives in an enclosure, Noctua 120mm fan running at 100% speed) in 21°C ambient temps, they run about 32°C idle and 40°C under load."
Ease of Setup and Use
Setting up the Seagate IronWolf is straightforward, even for those new to NAS systems. A customer shared, "It was very easy to set up, connected immediately, and has worked flawlessly since I installed it." Another appreciated the frustration-free packaging, saying, "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."
However, some users cautioned against using NAS drives in single-drive setups. As one reviewer explained, "DO NOT INSTALL NAS DRIVES IN A SINGLE DRIVE FORMAT. Is it possible, yes. Is it a good idea, no."
Value for Money
The Seagate IronWolf 8TB offers excellent value for its price, especially considering its storage capacity and performance. A satisfied customer said, "I also really appreciate the large storage space at this price point." Another echoed this sentiment, stating, "For similar money to NAS drives, desktops and laptops are better off with NVMe or solid-state drives, but for NAS setups, this is a great choice."
Conclusion: Is the Seagate IronWolf 8TB Worth It?
The Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive is a reliable, high-performance storage solution designed for NAS environments. Its strengths lie in its massive storage capacity, durability, and consistent performance, making it ideal for professionals, creatives, and home users alike. While it may not match the speed of SSDs, it more than makes up for it with its reliability and long-term data protection features.
However, potential buyers should be aware of its noise levels during operation and the importance of using it in a RAID setup for optimal performance and data safety.
Final Verdict: If you're looking for a dependable, high-capacity NAS hard drive that delivers excellent value for money, the Seagate IronWolf 8TB is a top choice. Just make sure to pair it with a proper NAS setup to get the most out of its capabilities.
Specification Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 7200 RPM 256MB Cache for RAID Network Attached Storage – Frustration Free Packaging (ST8000VNZ04/N004):
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!