HDD temps?

[Charlie98]

I was reformatting a 80GB WD (WD800JD) in my old Dell and the temp of the drive got to 141F...

Acronis Drive Monitor threw up a warning saying it was beyond the 125F normal/safe temp.

How high can an average HDD go before it is damaged?

 

[C1]

Operational Temperature range is specified 32 deg F to 140 deg F (with non-operational a bit higher at 149 deg F). http://www.wdc.com/en/products/catalog/

If you want to remain in spec. then dont go any higher

 

[tweakboy]

Speak Celcius . Your hard drive should be under 35c to 40c for a very long life span.

 

[VirtualLarry]

My old IBM 75GXP lost a few sectors when using it when temps got above 55C.

Edit: It was enclosed in one of those IDE mobile rack contraptions. Without a fan.

 

[tweakboy]

Wow I didn't know temps matter whether a sector stays alive or dies....55c is extremely high.. 40 is doable ,, but 35c recommended.. perhaps open your side of case , let us know. gl

 

[icanhascpu2]

My old IBM 75GXP lost a few sectors when using it when temps got above 55C.

I hope you invested in a fan...

 

[bryanl]

The common maximum operating temperature specification of 55C or 60C (131F or 140F) is based on the temperature of the air surrounding the disk drive, not that of the drive itself, meaning the drive can run hotter without harm. Google found that its disk drives failed least often over a temperature range of 38C - 46C, rather than at 25C.

7200 RPM 3.5" hard disks typically reach 45C - 50C inside desktops, unless packed with very little air space around them, but the minimum clearance specification is just 0.5mm.

 

[icanhascpu2]

Specifications are fantastic when you have a dead drive sitting on your desktop due to heat. What then? "But the spec said...!!"

Protip: Just put a fan on that bitch.

 

[Charlie98]

.. perhaps open your side of case

Actually, I had the side of the case off. I installed a newer processor that failed to boot, so I reinstalled the slow dinosaur Pent D and had the cover off while I was reformatting the drive (for a clean install of Win XP.)

If this keeps up, I'll punch some holes in the side of the case and put a fan in there...

 

[tweakboy]

You should get Thermaltake iCage ,,,, takes up 3 bays ,,, blue light 120mm fan 3 hard drives you can put in the cage...... gl

 

[Cerb]

Google's paper showed increased failure rates at both too hot and too cold. I can't find the PDF ATM, but IIRC, there was negligible difference in failure rates until 60C+.

 

[Charlie98]

You should get Thermaltake iCage ,,,, takes up 3 bays ,,, blue light 120mm fan 3 hard drives you can put in the cage...... gl

This old Dell only has room for 2 HDDs... and it's not worth sinking one more penny into.

 

[bryanl]

Google's paper showed increased failure rates at both too hot and too cold. I can't find the PDF ATM, but IIRC, there was negligible difference in failure rates until 60C+.

 

[bryanl]

My old IBM 75GXP lost a few sectors when using it when temps got above 55C.

I doubt temperature was the main reason for its failure:

Magnetic coating worn off 75GXP glass platter:

Dust caused by worn magnetic coating: