Seagate BarraCuda 2TB internal hard drive (ST2000DMZ08): specs and uses

The Seagate BarraCuda 2TB is an internal 3.5-inch hard drive for desktop computers. It connects over SATA 6Gb/s, spins at 7200 RPM and carries a 256MB cache. It adds a lot of storage to a desktop for photos, video, music, games or backups, and a hard drive remains a common choice when capacity matters more than raw speed.

What the specs mean

2TB is the capacity, enough for many hundreds of hours of video or a very large photo library, depending on file sizes. 3.5 inch is the desktop size. These drives fit desktop bays, not laptops, which usually take 2.5-inch drives.

SATA 6Gb/s is the interface that connects the drive to the motherboard. It is the standard connection for drives of this kind, and it is backwards-compatible with older SATA ports, though the speed then follows the older port.

7200 RPM is how fast the platters spin. Faster platters typically mean quicker data access than 5400 RPM drives, though a hard drive remains slower than a solid-state drive for starting up the system or loading programs.

256MB cache is a small, fast memory on the drive. Seagate says the drive uses optimised read/write caching technology to hold frequently needed data and improve performance.

What it suits

Seagate positions the BarraCuda as a go-to SATA solution for nearly every PC application, from music to video and photo editing and PC gaming. It describes it as suited to designers, musicians, photographers and video editors who work in several applications at once. Some common uses are:

• a second drive for bulk storage next to a smaller SSD that holds the system;
• a library for photos, video projects and music;
• a game library that doesn't fit on the main drive;
• a local backup target.

Migrating from an old drive

Seagate says that its free DiscWizard software helps migrate and clone data from an older drive. Cloning copies the contents of one drive to another so that you can swap them without a fresh installation. It helps to confirm that the new drive is at least as large as the data being copied.

Warranty and background

Seagate includes a two-year limited warranty and refers to 20 years of innovation behind the BarraCuda line. The listing also says that capacities and form factors vary across the range and that graphics on the packaging may vary. The drive is listed at about 3.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches (these are probably package dimensions) and weighs about 1 lb.

What to check before you buy

• Bay and connections: check that your computer has a free 3.5-inch bay, a SATA data port and a SATA power connector.
• Role: a hard drive suits storage; for the operating system, many people choose a solid-state drive.
• Backups: any single drive can fail, so keep important files in more than one place.
• Noise and heat: spinning drives make some noise and warmth; check airflow in the case.
• Handling: hard drives are sensitive to knocks, so handle them gently and fit them securely.
• Model code: the listing mentions ST2000DM008 and ST2000DMZ08; check that the code matches what you want.

The short version

• 2TB, 3.5-inch internal hard drive with SATA 6Gb/s.
• 7200 RPM spindle speed and a 256MB cache.
• Free DiscWizard software for cloning an older drive, per Seagate.
• Two-year limited warranty.
• Meant for desktops, and for bulk storage rather than as a system drive.

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