Which storage device is best for high heat environments?

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Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
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Which storage device is best for high heat environments?

Long story short, they have a case in a hardware closet, and it gets very, very warm in there, temps of up to 154F / 68C isn't unheard of.
They have been having HD failures just about every 6 months, no matter what brand they use.
Doesn't make a difference how many fans you have in there (they even put in a vornado fan in there, didn't help).
I am thinking SSD might be better, though, I recall that they don't like the heat either, but, seems the specs for some claim up to 70C (powered), but, nothing for non-operating (which that JEDEC graph showed they don't like the heat).

And no, they can't move it from there. That is the only place it can be according to them.

Is there a viable alternative for them, that won't break the bank?
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
6,731
155
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I'd look for one with thermal sensor/throttling capability if I was going SSD in a hot environment
 
Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
They actually did have a NAS drive, a 'green' one, a 'blue' one, and a few others.

For SSDs, looks like only SLC can withstand high heat the best, and TLC is the worst.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
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Consider an A/C unit for the closet, or at least a good exhaust fan.
 
I

Insert_Nickname

Diamond Member
May 6, 2012
4,971
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Elixer said:
Which storage device is best for high heat environments?

Long story short, they have a case in a hardware closet, and it gets very, very warm in there, temps of up to 154F / 68C isn't unheard of.
They have been having HD failures just about every 6 months, no matter what brand they use.
Doesn't make a difference how many fans you have in there (they even put in a vornado fan in there, didn't help).
I am thinking SSD might be better, though, I recall that they don't like the heat either, but, seems the specs for some claim up to 70C (powered), but, nothing for non-operating (which that JEDEC graph showed they don't like the heat).

And no, they can't move it from there. That is the only place it can be according to them.

Is there a viable alternative for them, that won't break the bank?
Click to expand...

Please don't take this the wrong way, but they either move that system out of the closet or they live with the failure rate. I've seen too many examples of this lets-throw-the-PC/server-in-a-poorly-ventilated-cupboard/room/closet mentality to expect any other result then unreliability.

Nothing you put in there is going to withstand that kind of temperature for long. Your best bet is properly that Endurastar LTC8K6 linked to, but I'd still plan for a much reduced service life. High temperature kills HDDs. Its that simple.

If it noise they're worried about, low noise servers do exist. You could even use a regular well ventilated standard ATX case in a pinch.
 
dave_the_nerd

dave_the_nerd

Lifer
Feb 25, 2011
16,980
1,616
126
Stone tablets.

Well, not really. The only realistic option (extreme environment rated HDDs/SSDs) has already been mentioned. But if you treat your equipment like garbage, expect it to fail at the worst possible moment.

Pipe some A/C in there or consequences will never be the same.
 
thesmokingman

thesmokingman

Platinum Member
May 6, 2010
2,302
231
106
Elixer said:
Which storage device is best for high heat environments?

Long story short, they have a case in a hardware closet, and it gets very, very warm in there, temps of up to 154F / 68C isn't unheard of.
They have been having HD failures just about every 6 months, no matter what brand they use.
Doesn't make a difference how many fans you have in there (they even put in a vornado fan in there, didn't help).
I am thinking SSD might be better, though, I recall that they don't like the heat either, but, seems the specs for some claim up to 70C (powered), but, nothing for non-operating (which that JEDEC graph showed they don't like the heat).

And no, they can't move it from there. That is the only place it can be according to them.

Is there a viable alternative for them, that won't break the bank?
Click to expand...


Get maintenance to route some fresh air into there? Nothing will last in that environment. I've had closet setups before, and I just had them make a grill covered opening at the bottom of the door and put a fan filter in the ceiling. I also had them pull 220 power... it's their job.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,680
13,317
126
www.betteroff.ca
Woah what is in there that it gets that hot? I would definitely find a way to vent that space to the rest of the area or outside. You want an intake and exhaust. I would at least add a vent grille at bottom of door and one at the top but it sounds like there is quite a lot of equipment in there if it gets that hot, so probably need more active cooling.

I would be worried about any UPS that is in there as well, lead acid batteries won't last very long in that kind of heat. Gel cells can even split/burst.
 
Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
It is a utility closet, no windows, no way to vent anything, and it has the electrical panel in there, along with a ventless hot water heater, and a washing machine & ventless dryer. The door to this closet is already slotted.
It is a really small apartment, 2 rooms, kitchen/dining/living area, and sleeping area.
No idea who design this, seems like a fire hazard to me, but, it has all the code stickers & tags on everything in that closet. The landlord won't do anything about the heat either, since it meets all codes & inspections.
I did my best to strongly suggest they move it out of there, but, they won't budge.
They don't got AC either, windows open from the side, so, they can't have AC units that mount into a normal window frame.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
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OK, no A/C. Have you ever heard of putting devices inside of a refrigerator? I have. Another possibility. In any case, consider the closet as a case. You need to force cool air in and hot air out. Two good fans can do that - slots don't cut it.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,725
17,213
126
Elixer said:
It is a utility closet, no windows, no way to vent anything, and it has the electrical panel in there, along with a ventless hot water heater, and a washing machine & ventless dryer. The door to this closet is already slotted.
It is a really small apartment, 2 rooms, kitchen/dining/living area, and sleeping area.
No idea who design this, seems like a fire hazard to me, but, it has all the code stickers & tags on everything in that closet. The landlord won't do anything about the heat either, since it meets all codes & inspections.
I did my best to strongly suggest they move it out of there, but, they won't budge.
They don't got AC either, windows open from the side, so, they can't have AC units that mount into a normal window frame.
Click to expand...

Cut holes in door and mount fans on bottom and top. Bottom push, top draw.

if not enough you can duct ac to it. Again use door.
 
Last edited:
Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
corkyg said:
OK, no A/C. Have you ever heard of putting devices inside of a refrigerator? I have. Another possibility. In any case, consider the closet as a case. You need to force cool air in and hot air out. Two good fans can do that - slots don't cut it.
Click to expand...

Nope, can't say I have ever heard of putting a computer inside a fridge. Don't think they would allow that either, but how would you deal with condensation?
Also not sure the door can be modified, will have to ask about that one.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,725
17,213
126
Elixer said:
Nope, can't say I have ever heard of putting a computer inside a fridge. Don't think they would allow that either, but how would you deal with condensation?
Also not sure the door can be modified, will have to ask about that one.
Click to expand...

Just build your own door. Take the existing one off.
 
thesmokingman

thesmokingman

Platinum Member
May 6, 2010
2,302
231
106
corkyg said:
OK, no A/C. Have you ever heard of putting devices inside of a refrigerator? I have. Another possibility. In any case, consider the closet as a case. You need to force cool air in and hot air out. Two good fans can do that - slots don't cut it.
Click to expand...


The fridge would burn out. Fridges are not made for that heat load.
 
nerp

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
Personally, I'd drop the client. Unless you get a cut every time they have to buy a new hard drive.

Keep track of their costs. When it reaches the point that they could pay for the AC install on behalf of the landlord, tell them that they would have paid for the work by now.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,680
13,317
126
www.betteroff.ca
Wait, the electrical panel is in there too? At those temps I'm surprised you're not getting lot of nuisance trips throughout the building.

I would definitely address the heat issue. 70C is just insane high. I would look at installing a large fan on top of the closet (the wall part above the door) to force air out. Block most of the slots in the door except the bottom ones (you don't want the hot air to just get sucked back in). This should at least help and should be fairly easy to do.

Inline fans are pretty cheap and also very quiet, I'd look at those. If you do an ebay search for "inline fan" there's quite a few to choose from. I have one for my bathroom, best thing I ever did. More air flow and super quiet.

But yeah sounds like a stubborn client, I know all about that myself from my past IT experience. We can keep throwing ideas but if the client won't budge not much you can do.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
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So there are both HDDs and SSDs rated to 85C to choose from, then. 320gb for the HDD and 240gb for the SSD.
 
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