HDD getting cool

[computerwiz1101]

i have 3 hdd (super old, but good enough) there 80F,95F, and 77F, why is the third one so low as compared to the other two i have a 200mm fan blowing intake on all three, this dosent really matter in the lone run but i'm just curious! Thanks. they are on the top half of the fan so the 81F is in the middle,91F is in the top and 77F is the bottom..could the bottom really be getting that much more air?

 

[DigitalHamster]

Hey!
Hard drives do run very cool compared to other components, and they should run cool.
My hard drives usually run between 22c and 27c, which is 72F to 80F, just like you are getting.

The temperature reading difference may be due to the bottom drive not being used as much as the other drives. If it is a secondary drive for your documents or rarely used files, then it may be spinning down to save power, and will be a lot cooler when powered down.
Secondly, the bottom one may be getting more airflow. I can't say for sure, but it is very likely.
Thirdly, there may be variances in the accuracy of the temperature detection. It may be that this one reports its temperature slightly lower than it actually is.

 

[Snipergod87]

Are they different spindle speeds?
Are they different models some models might generate different amount of heat depending on the platter count as well.

 

[computerwiz1101]

Are they different spindle speeds?
Are they different models some models might generate different amount of heat depending on the platter count as well.

well i hate to say this but there 80gb 5400 rpm that i got refrub for $8 lol but there same brand and everything, like i said i'm going to replace them with 1tb red WD when money gets here, i would normall would never use such old and could fail at any moment but i needed somthing quick just for a few weeks

 

[faalin]

there are many factors you have to take into account with temps.
Are all 3 drives from the same manufacture
What speeds are they, does one get accessed more then the others.
where are the temp sensors on the drives
Since its a 200mm fan are the drives close to it or far away, where does the stack of drives line up with the blades
What kind of cage are the drives in, is there any air blockage in front or behind the drives.

In theory heat rises so the top drive should be slightly warmer, even at 91*f (32*c) is still very cool and i wouldn't worry about it. Max temp for a HDD is around 122*f (50*c) so your well within specs.

 

[thx1138v2]

91F top
80F middle
77F bottom

The top one is nearest the top of the fan so exposed to the smallest portion of the fan blade. The middle one is exposed to more fan blade and the bottom one is exposed to the middle of the fan blade where blade is widest.

Also, hot air rises so any heat not taken away with air will affect the heat sensor on the circuit board above it. If the fan is actually slightly blowing the heat from the lower drive up onto the circuit bard above it before it exits the area that could do it also.

If you've got enough bays, leave an empty bay between drives and see if that affects the temperature readings.