Can I use a 5 year old hdd?

[DwagXD]

Building a budget pc and I'm wondering if I can use an hdd from my old computer. Seagate 500GB Barracuda 7200 rpm,Windows 7 installed, but I'm going to install Windows 8 on it so all of the data will be gone. Is it safe to use it on my new computer?

 

[Alabalcho]

From performance point of view, it will run the same (or even better) than any new cheap (green) hard drive. It will be noisier and warmer, though.
From reliability point of view - if that druve survived five years (warranty period), it will probably survive couple of years more, and there is no guarantee any new drive will have better reliability. As always - just make sure you keep backup of important data.

 

[USAFRet]

Will it work? Yes (assuming compatible interface)
Will it die? Yes. But then, ALL drives die sooner or later.

 

[dudeman509]

It'll keep working fine until it doesn't.

KEEP A BACKUP!!!

 

[puttynene]

Hello there,

Hdd have a certain age and after that time their performance is not great. i would suggest donot rely on it, take backups regularly and buy a new hdd.

I had read an article about hard disk age and there performance, sharing the link, read at will
http://bit.ly/1TsSNUU