This category covers 3.5-inch hard disk drives (HDDs) for desktop PCs, servers, NAS units and disk arrays. Most are SAS or SATA drives, with capacities from 1 TB up to 24 TB. Our range includes over 600 models from manufacturers such as HP Enterprise, Western Digital, Dell, Seagate and Toshiba.
How to choose a 3.5-inch hard drive
Intended use. Decide first where the drive will run. Our range includes drives for servers and workstations, desktop PCs, disk arrays and NAS units. Server drives are built for continuous operation, while a home PC usually needs nothing more than a standard SATA drive.
Interface. SATA III drives connect to ordinary motherboards, so they suit desktop PCs and most NAS units. SAS and NL-SAS drives need a SAS controller, which many servers have. A SAS controller usually accepts SATA drives too, but a SATA controller will not recognise a SAS drive.
Capacity. Our drives run from 1 TB to 24 TB, including 2, 4, 8 and 20 TB. Larger capacities make sense for archives and video footage, but in a RAID array remember that rebuilding a bigger drive after a failure takes longer. For the operating system an SSD is the better choice, and the HDD can be kept for data.
Spindle speed. Many of our drives spin at 7200 RPM, the usual choice for file storage and servers. Drives at 5400 and 5900 RPM are generally quieter and run cooler, which suits NAS units and archives. Drives at 10000 and 15000 RPM are meant for servers that need fast response, but they are noisier and warmer.
Size and mounting. Most items here are 3.5-inch drives, but there are also some 2.5-inch models and drive cages, so check the specification. Server drives are often fitted in a tray made for a particular server, so confirm the server model and tray type. Most 3.5-inch drives run on 5 and 12 V, so they need a standard SATA power connector.
Brands in our range
- HP Enterprise: the largest group in our range, mostly server drives supplied in trays for HPE ProLiant servers.
- Western Digital and Hitachi: Western Digital is known for the WD Red series for NAS units and WD Gold for servers, while Hitachi's drive division HGST later became part of Western Digital.
- Seagate: offers IronWolf drives for NAS units, Exos drives for servers and BarraCuda drives for desktop PCs.
- Toshiba: known for the N300 series for NAS units and high-capacity MG series drives for business systems.
- Dell: drives supplied with trays for Dell PowerEdge servers.
- Lenovo: drives for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers.
Also in our range: HP Inc., Delock, IBM, i.norys and Blaupunkt.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SAS and SATA hard drives?
SAS drives are made for servers and disk arrays, while SATA drives are used in PCs and NAS units. A SAS drive needs a SAS controller, whereas a SATA drive plugs into an ordinary motherboard. Some servers accept both types, so check the controller first.
What spindle speed should I choose for a hard drive?
For most users a 7200 RPM drive is the right choice, as it is fast enough for files and for servers. Drives at 5400 RPM are quieter and run cooler, so they suit archives and NAS units. Drives at 10000 and 15000 RPM are meant only for servers that need fast response.
Can I fit a 3.5-inch drive in a laptop?
No, a 3.5-inch drive is too large for a laptop, which uses 2.5-inch drives or SSDs. It can be connected externally through an enclosure with its own power supply, since a 3.5-inch drive needs 12 V. It is therefore better suited to desktop PCs, NAS units and servers.
Can I use a server hard drive in a desktop PC?
Yes, if it is a SATA drive, because it connects to a standard SATA port. A SAS drive will not work in a desktop PC without a SAS controller. Server drives often come in a tray that a PC case does not need, so the drive will have to be mounted separately.
