[SOLVED] Seagate Exos 7E8 vs 5E8

[whh36328]

Hi, I'd like to know some relevant differences between this drives besides MTBF.

7E8 model ST8000NM0055 (MTBF 2,000,000 hr)

5E8 model ST8000AS0003 (MTBF 800,000 hr)

5E8 model is formerly known as an Archive HDD, both are 8TB so obviously I want to use them for archiving purposes.

7E8 seems generally better choice, but everywhere I look 5E8 costs more than 7E8 which is quite confusing.

Do you have an experience with this drives, and/or recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[kanewolf]

The 7E8 is a 7200RPM drive and the 5E8 is a 5400RPM drive. The 5400 will generally be quieter and run cooler than the 7200.
If it was me, I would get the 4K sector size native drive ST8000NM0045 rather than the 512e formatted ST8000NM0055. That is assuming your controller supports 4K sectors (which most newer hardware does, but check your specs).
The "55" model has to translate 4K sectors to 512 byte sectors in the drive firmware.

 

[whh36328]

Thank you, I plan to use it with an old mainboard https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/E35M1I_DELUXE/
I'm not sure where to check for 4K support there. Any reason for higher price with 5E8?

 

[kanewolf]

Thank you, I plan to use it with an old mainboard https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/E35M1I_DELUXE/
I'm not sure where to check for 4K support there. Any reason for higher price with 5E8?

May just be availability. NewEgg has the 5E8 cheaper than the 7E8 so it may be a local condition to where you live.
I am not sure on the 4K support with that motherboard. But I do know that you need to have an OS that supports them in addition to the hardware.

 

[whh36328]

But I do know that you need to have an OS that supports them in addition to the hardware.

Well, that should not be a problem since I run last stable Debian.

Prices may vary yeah.. So basically there should be no advantage in getting 5E8 over 7E8, I guess?

 

[kanewolf]

Well, that should not be a problem since I run last stable Debian.

Prices may vary yeah.. So basically there should be no advantage in getting 5E8 over 7E8, I guess?

I think I identifed the benefits, cooler and quieter, but lower random performance. If this is a device for backups in the middle of the night then it shouldn't matter.