Best Internal Hard Drives To Buy in 2024

Does your desktop have enough space left on it? No? Do not worry! We Have got you covered. Hard disk drives, or HDDs, are a great way to increase your storage capacity without going over budget. For many years, HDDs have been a mainstay in desktop computers due to their affordability and dependability. Hard drives are still a popular option for consumers who want big storage capacities at a reasonable cost, even with the emergence of solid-state drives.

The Importance of Hard Drives for Desktops

Desktop hard drives are necessary for storing a wide range of data, including backups and huge media files, operating systems, and software programs. In contrast to SSDs, which store data on flash memory, HDDs read and write data on rotating disks, or platters. Their larger storage capabilities make them especially suitable for bulk storage

Why Opt for Low-Cost Hard Drive?

Affordable hard drives are the perfect mix of value and functionality. They allow consumers to add more storage at a reasonable cost without having to make the costly investment in SSDs. For huge media files, backups, and gaming libraries, HDDs are the preferred option due to their substantially higher storage capacity per unit cost, even if SSDs are quicker.

Factors to consider while buying an internal hard drive:

Understanding your needs and considering these important aspects will help you choose the ideal low-cost HDD to increase the capacity of your PC. Always keep in mind that hard drives are still an affordable option for storing big volumes of data. Here are a few key factors and their recommended usage for you to make the right choice:

Interface:

Following is the breakdown of interfaces as per their usages: 

Systems	Hard Drive Interface
Enterprise Storage	SCSI
	SAS
Personal Storage	PATA
	SATA
Consumer Electronic Storage	CF Type II
	PATA

Speed:

Speed is one of the crucial aspects when choosing a hard drive. this table highlights the range of speed you can find as per the interfaces:

Interface	RPM
SCSI	10,000 or 15,000
SAS	10,000 or 15,000
PATA	7,200 or 10,000
SATA	7,200 or 10,000

Capacity & Cache:

Following table recommends the capacities as per usage:

Usage	Storage Capacity	Form Factor	Cache Size
Personal Use	500GB, 1TB	3.5-inch	16MB, 32MB
Media Storage	2TB, 4TB	3.5-inch	64MB
Enterprise Use	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 6TB, 8TB	3.5-inch	128MB
Legacy Systems	80GB, 160GB	3.5-inch	2MB, 8MB

Top Desktop HDD Picks for 2024: 

WD5000AAKX Western Digital 500GB 6Gb/s SATA 7200 3.5" 16MB Hard Drive

The WD5000AAKX is one of the products in the Western Digital Blue series of hard drives intended for regular use in desktop computers. It comes with 500GB of storage which seems small compared to today’s standards but is quite sufficient for most everyday uses and storing documents and other data files. This drive works at 7200 RPM and comes equipped with a 16MB cache which is suitable for simple daily usage. It is cheaper to use for users who lack adequate storage space but the constrained storage space and small cache size influences the performance of other demanding operations. This drive should adequately suit personal, general, and application uses only.

Key Features:

• > Reliable performance for everyday tasks.
• > Affordable option for general desktop use.
• > Suitable for personal use and basic storage needs.

DT01ACA050 Toshiba 500GB 6Gb/s SATA 7200 3.5" 32MB Hard Drive

The DT01ACA050  from Toshiba is a model that provides consumers with a good-performing hard drive at an attractive price point. It has the storage capability of 500GB, rotates at 7200RPM, and has a 32MB buffer, which offers a good performance for general use such as for an office desk and for moderately storing data. The superior cache size of this drive compared to some other 500GB drives boosts its performance. As much as it comes with limited storage space for some users, it is one of the best for individual use and average and low-level usage.

Key Features:

• > Balanced performance and affordability.
• > Larger cache for improved performance.
• > Ideal for personal use and moderate storage requirements.

ST500DM002 Seagate 500GB 6Gb/s SATA 7200 3.5" 16MB Hard Drive

The ST500DM002 belongs to the Seagate Barracuda series which is a series of reliable hard drives for consumers. In terms of specifications, the drive is capable of holding up to 500GB of data and has a rotational speed of 7200 RPM with a cache size of 16MB; thus, it is ideal for users who need a reliable drive for basic usage. Larger cache size, while improving performance in demanding applications may not significantly affect basic operation requirements such as personal, general use, and basic applications.

Key Features: 

• > Dependable performance and durability.
• > Good choice for everyday tasks and light data storage.
• > Suitable for personal use and general storage.

HDS722580VLAT20 Hitachi 80GB IDE Ultra ATA/100 7.2K 3.5" Hard Drive

HDS722580VLAT20 is an older one, which belongs to the Deskstar family from Hitachi, with a storage capability of 80GB, and an ATA/IDE interface. Although not current, this drive comes with a rotational speed of 7200 RPM and features a buffer size of 2MB, ideal for older systems and simple data storage purposes. The size of the device and the older style of the interface reduce compatibility with newer systems and reduce the device’s performance. This drive is best suited for organization with old architectures, and simple Storage & Application requirements.

Key Features: 

• > Reliable performance for older systems.
• > Suitable for legacy desktops requiring ATA/IDE interface.
• > Sufficient for very basic storage needs in legacy systems.

Conclusion: 

By understanding your needs and taking these important aspects into account, you can select the ideal low-cost HDD to increase the capacity of your desktop computer. Regardless of whether you're adding more games to your collection, keeping massive video files, or backing up critical data, HDDs are still an affordable option for storing enormous quantities of data. You may select an internal hard disk that best meets your demands and ensures maximum performance and value for your investment by considering these considerations and making an informed decision.

Where to find hard drives? 

ETechBuy.com is your one-stop shop for all your storage needs. Find an extensive range of hard drives for desktop, laptops and servers and other storage devices in top brands. 

For further details or queries, please contact us through live chat, call (888) 719-5848 or email at support@etechbuy.com

 

FAQS:

What interface should I look for when buying an HDD for my desktop?
SATA 6Gb/s is the most common interface for modern desktops, offering good performance and compatibility. Older systems may require ATA/IDE interfaces.

What are the advantages of choosing a hard disk drive (HDD) over a solid-state drive (SSD)?
HDDs offer larger storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SSDs, making them ideal for users who need ample storage without a hefty price tag

Can I use an HDD for gaming and multimedia applications?
Yes, HDDs are suitable for gaming and multimedia storage, providing ample space for large game installations, video files, and other media without compromising performance.