Hard Drive suggestion (2TB) for a FreeNAS box

[amazing2]

So, I finally decided to build a small NAS for backup & file sharing purposes.

Here's what I got on the way (already purchased):
- Supermicro X7SPA-HF-D525 (Intel NICs)
- Supermicro 731i-300B
- 2GB DDR3 SODIMM

OS will be FreeNAS 8 running on a USB key.

All that's missing are the Hard Drives. For the moment I'm looking to get 2x 2 TB HD in a Raid 1 setup.

I've read a couple of posts about the new 4KB "advanced format" giving sub-par performance in FreeNAS (even when formated to 4KB). Wondering if this is a generalized problem or if it's just with a few HD models (WD for example).

Now, here's where I need your help:
Which 2 TB SATA Hard Drive would you recommend (either 5400rpm or 7200rpm)?

Please keep in mind that I'm not looking to get Enterprise-Class ($200+) Hard drives but I'm also not looking for cheap, unreliable storage... Am I making any sense?! :ninja:

Thanks in advance!

 

[jjmIII]

Hands down....Samsung F4 2TB link

 

[pjkenned]

In that case, you probably want "green" drives so that would rule out the reliable and inexpensive Hitachi 7200 rpm drives.

I've become less of a FreeNAS fan over time just because it is a lightweight FreeBSD installation and you tend to get better performance from the more up-to-date FreeBSD Stable releases.

 

[nanaki333]

i swear by samsung spinpoint drives

 

[fffblackmage]

WD20EARS or Samsung F4EG would be my choices.

The sub-par performance for 4KB advanced formats drives are caused by bad stripe sizes when you use RAIDZ, IIRC.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

Hands down....Samsung F4 2TB link

^

Just replaced a failed WDEARS 2TB with the Samsung F4 and it was a pretty solid performance increase too! Went from Copying from same drive to writing to WD EARS2tb @ ~60-80MB/s, writing to the Samsung F4 2tb @ 100-120MB/s. I was very happy with the purchase. I normally have always purchased WD drives and will likely purchase some WD drives later as well, but this Samsung is very fast and a solid price.

back to $80 a drive purchase two! XD

 

[amazing2]

In that case, you probably want "green" drives so that would rule out the reliable and inexpensive Hitachi 7200 rpm drives.

Why would I only want green drives?
Concerning the Hitachi, is that the 7K2000 series?

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I'm now loooking into the Samsung F4.

 

[amazing2]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Hitachi Deskstar 5K3000 or 7K3000 in 2TB size?

 

[pjkenned]

Why would I only want green drives?
Concerning the Hitachi, is that the 7K2000 series?

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I'm now loooking into the Samsung F4.

Do you have the front 80mm fan? If not, those four 3.5" drive slots are probably going to be a bit short on airflow for 7,200rpm drives if they get hammered for a decent amount of time. I'm actually posting a review of that chassis tomorrow and that is one of the big weaknesses.

On the Hitachi's, yes that is the 7K2000 series. They are a favorite just because they work well with Areca, Adaptec, and LSI-based controllers, and are inexpensive.

On the 7K3000 series, most people seem to be gravitating towards the 3TB drives just because you get higher storage density. Here is a thread on them where you might find some people that have the drives.

 

[amazing2]

Do you have the front 80mm fan? If not, those four 3.5" drive slots are probably going to be a bit short on airflow for 7,200rpm drives if they get hammered for a decent amount of time. I'm actually posting a review of that chassis tomorrow and that is one of the big weaknesses.

First thing I did after checking the case and PSU was to put in a front intake fan recycled from an old build (vantec stealth).

Thanks again! 🙂

P.S. nice write-up review of the case.

 

[Cattykit]

I just installed Samsung F4 2tb 5400 rpm drive and I'm very impressed.
From reviews and benchmarks I've seen, I knew it's the fastest one out of 5400rpm drives but I didn't think it was going to be this fast in actual usage.

It's as fast as Samsung F1 1TB 7200rpm drive (in terms of transfer rate and access time) which used to the fastest 1tb drive a few years ago (This is after, using HD Tune, increasing AAM value to high performance instead of low noise one.)

Oh and I should mention it's quiet which is the reason I stick with Samsung drives.

 

[Rifter]

Ive been using a WD Green 2TB EADS drive for backups for over a year works great. Also have 3 Seagate LP 1.5TB drives in a RAID 5 array running fine for almost 2 years. The reviews of the new samsung F4 drive makes me want to buy some of them though.