Seagate Barracuda 2TB ST2000DM008 3.5-inch SATA Hard Drive: what it is

The Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM008 is an internal 3.5-inch hard disk drive with 2TB of capacity and a SATA III interface. It is the kind of component used to add bulk storage to a desktop computer, or to replace an older drive in one.

What it is

A hard disk drive stores data on spinning magnetic platters. The 3.5-inch size is the standard for desktop computers and many external enclosures and network storage boxes. Barracuda is Seagate's long-running line of desktop drives, and this model carries the part number ST2000DM008. The listing gives few details beyond capacity and interface, so check Seagate's datasheet for further specifications.

SATA 6Gb/s explained

The listing gives the interface as SATA 6Gb/s, with supported transfer rates of 6.0, 3.0 and 1.5 Gb/s. These are the three SATA generations, and the drive is described as supporting all three, so it should connect to older and newer SATA ports alike, with the link running at the speed the port allows. The 6Gb/s figure is the interface limit. A mechanical drive's real-world speed is typically well below it, because it is limited by how fast the platters can be read.

Where a hard drive makes sense

Compared with solid-state drives, hard drives generally offer more capacity for the space, but are slower, especially when opening many small files, and they have moving parts. They are commonly used for large libraries of photos, videos, backups and archives, where capacity matters more than speed. Many people pair a smaller SSD for the operating system with a hard drive for bulk files.

Size and weight

The drive measures about 5.8 x 4.0 x 0.8 inches (roughly 14.7 x 10.2 x 2 cm) and weighs about 0.4 lb (about 180 g). Its 0.8-inch height is a slim profile for a 3.5-inch drive; check your bay or enclosure.

Who it suits

It suits desktop owners who want to add storage, replace an ageing drive, or fill a home server or backup disk with a straightforward SATA drive.

What to check before you buy

• Bay and size: confirm a free 3.5-inch drive bay, or an adapter if you only have a 2.5-inch one.
• Connections: you need a free SATA data port and a SATA power connector from the power supply.
• Use case: check Seagate's datasheet to see whether the drive suits your intended use, such as desktop storage or continuous recording.
• Backups: any drive can fail, so keep copies of important data on another device.
• Handling: hard drives are sensitive to knocks and drops, especially while running.
• Data migration: plan how you will copy or clone existing data, and use the manual's guidance for installation.

The short version

• A 2TB internal 3.5-inch hard drive, model ST2000DM008, from Seagate's Barracuda line.
• SATA 6Gb/s interface, with 3.0 and 1.5 Gb/s supported as well.
• Roughly 5.8 x 4.0 x 0.8 inches and 0.4 lb.
• Best suited to bulk storage; confirm the bay, cables and use case first.

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