Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM008 2TB internal hard drive: specs explained

The Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM008 is a 2TB internal hard drive in the standard 3.5-inch desktop size. It connects over SATA and is a typical choice for adding bulk storage to a desktop PC, or for replacing a failing older drive. The listing gives a detailed specification sheet, which this page explains.

Capacity, speed and cache

The drive holds 2TB and spins at 7,200 RPM. Faster rotation generally means the head reaches data sooner, so 7,200 RPM drives usually feel quicker than 5,400 RPM ones for everyday reads. The cache is 256MB, a buffer that smooths out short bursts of reading and writing.

Seagate gives a maximum sustained data rate of 220MB/s for reads at the outer diameter of the disc. Hard drives are fastest at the outer edge of the platter and slow as the disc fills toward the centre, so typical real-world speeds are lower than the peak.

The SATA 6.0Gb/s interface

SATA 6Gb/s is the standard connection for desktop drives and works with nearly all modern motherboards. It is also backward compatible with older SATA ports, though a slower port limits speed. A hard drive can't use anywhere near the full capacity of a SATA 6Gb/s link, so for this type of drive the connection is rarely the limit.

Power and noise

The listing gives power figures: 2.0A at startup, about 5.1W in typical operation, 3.9W idle average, and 0.3W in standby and sleep modes. A low standby draw can help if the machine runs most of the day.

Acoustics are given in bels, where lower is quieter: 2.8 bels idle and 2.9 bels during seek operations, both typical. Seek noise is the clicking you may hear when the drive reads from many places on the disc.

Shock tolerance

The listing says the drive can tolerate 80G when reading and 70G when writing for 2 milliseconds while operating, and 350G when not operating. As with any hard drive, it's best to handle it gently and avoid moving a computer while the drive is running.

Size and weight

Dimensions are 4.010 x 5.787 x 0.795 inches (about 101.9 x 147.0 x 20.2 mm), the standard 3.5-inch size, and the weight is 1.08 lb (490g).

Who it suits

It suits desktop users who need extra room for documents, photos, game libraries or backups. Because it is a mechanical drive, it is slower than a solid-state drive for booting and loading programs, so many people use a hard drive for storage and an SSD for the operating system. It isn't a laptop drive, since it is a 3.5-inch model and needs a desktop bay.

What to check before you buy

• Bay and ports: confirm your computer has a free 3.5-inch bay, a spare SATA data port and a SATA power connector.
• Use case: this is a desktop drive; check the manufacturer's information if you plan on a NAS or around-the-clock use.
• Noise and vibration: hard drives produce sound and some vibration; check how the case mounts it.
• Backups: keep important files in more than one place, since any drive can fail.
• Warranty: check the terms with the brand or seller.
• Formatting: a new drive needs to be initialized and formatted in your operating system before use.

The short version

• A 2TB, 3.5-inch, 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s hard drive with 256MB of cache.
• Maximum sustained read rate of 220MB/s.
• Typical operating power of 5.1W and 0.3W in standby.
• Typical acoustics of 2.8 bels idle and 2.9 bels while seeking.
• Needs a desktop 3.5-inch bay, a SATA port and a SATA power connector.

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