Hello, I was planning on bulging a NAS, but I realized it’s quite expensive for now.

Budget: 200-350 usd.

I was looking for HDDs I could use externally on my desktop pc to store photos taken with a professional camera.

Each photo is 100MB approx and in looking for 10,12 or 16TB HDD. I prefer something very reliable. I would plug the HDD every time I need to transfer files from the camera to it or when I need to edit.

Brands I have considered:

Toshiba n300 pro Seagate iron wolf pro Western digital red pro

I was wondering which is the best I can get for this purpose in terms of reliability in the long term and scalability.

I would purchase one unit to use externally and then maybe one more to use in raid or maybe Nas. So this one should be good for all.

Thanks for your help.

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    parent

  • Whatever you buy, buy two. One main, one mirror. Ask me how I know.

    parent

  • Between those three brands... WD Red Pro

    parent

    Hi, thanks for replying. Is there any other you would recommend, better than these that I mentioned?

    parent root

    Ultrastar refurbs are very cost effective and high performance. 5 year seller warranty. As mentioned, you'll likely want to run two for safety.

    https://ebay.us/m/mSnffa

    Personally I'm running 3x24tb ultrastars in a truenas raidz1.

    If you're wanting external you can get an enclosure but I use one of these for my spare drives and bluray burner.

    https://a.co/d/03s6rPb

    parent root

    Wow, thanks for sharing links, I really appreciate that.

    parent root

    Ref I v agree. These are Enterprise level drives. Good value even though used. Buy 2! 3 would be better! Replicate across all.

    parent root

    Aren’t Reds primarily built for being in a NAS? I’m not sure how they’d go with being spun up and spun down regularly like a normal drive

    parent root

    Programmed/binned, not built.

    A single platform or design can be used for a variety of product segments. Carmel and Venice, which are the two mainstream WD consumer platforms (at <= 6 TB, that is) aside from TresUL and TrailXLB, are great examples as they encompass the Blue, Purple, Red and Red Plus segments. Same drives mechanically, but with different firmware/binning. And even SMR instead of CMR in some cases.

    parent root