Full format time for 3TB and is it worth it

[kingAXEL]

Ok so I just bought a new 3TB hdd. How long would it take to do a full format? (pc is pretty new)
Drive is ofc empty will that speed things up ? Is it worth doing that for a new drive or is it better to scan for bad sectors after a quick format ? Can pc be used as normal while it's formating ?

 

[Ubrales]

A quick format will work well; full format not needed. PC operation will remain unchanged.

If you are curious about the health, you may us "HDTune" and/or "CrystalDiskInfo" - both these are good free programs.

Yes you can use the PC while formatting is taking place.

Just quick format the HDD and use it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

It is generally considered not necessary to do anything but a quick format on a new drive ... some still prefer to do it anyway. When building a box I use one of these to format the drive while building the PC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1

As for ya other question ...

1. If it is a 2nd drive, then yes, you can use the PC with the 1st drive while the 3 TB is formatted.

2. I can't tell you how long it takes because we don't use 3 TB / 4 TB drives. They have a failure rate 3-4 times that of 2 TB drives, and though that rate is shrinking, not ready to jump in that pool.

3. I don't see how the time matters ... as above, you can still use the PC while it happens.