HDD recommendation

G

ginocapu

n3wb
Dec 24, 2025
1
0
Miami
Hello all!
I have a NVR5216-16P-EI + IPC-HFW2841T-ZS(4pcs) for home security
What HDD and how much memory do I need?
Preferably not expensive.
 
I have two Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC530 recertified/refurbished drives that have been flawless over the last 14 months. Got mine for ~$150 each but unfortunately the price has gone up considerably. Still much cheaper than new drives. Check out this YouTube channel before making a decision on which drive(s) to purchase. SomeTechGuy
 
Underhill said:
I’ve thrown dozens of different kinds in over the years including lots of refurbished. Even giving my clients 3 years warranty I’ve only replaced 1 or 2 in 15 years.
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have they all been purples?

or u have tried WD blacks or greens?
 
If you only have a few cameras (say a dozen or less)the wd blacks and greens are just fine. Its when you start getting up in numbers for cameras where you start to notice the lower end drives cant keep up with the sustained writes. If you have more than a dozen cameras you should really start considering multiple drives, or even a raid of some kind to spread the writes across multiple drives.
 
danweber1 said:
If you only have a few cameras (say a dozen or less)the wd blacks and greens are just fine. Its when you start getting up in numbers for cameras where you start to notice the lower end drives cant keep up with the sustained writes. If you have more than a dozen cameras you should really start considering multiple drives, or even a raid of some kind to spread the writes across multiple drives.
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That's great to know. Thanks
 
My recommendation is you want 5400 rpm if you desire some level of quietness. The issue is that you typically can’t get larger than 8TB with 5400rpm drives.

If you don’t care about noise level (e.g, the NVR will be located away from people) then stuff it with the largest 7200rpm drives you can find. I use Seagate Exos x24 drives. Just bought another 24TB drive last week.

Also, make sure you stick with CMR style drives and not SMR style drives.
 
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Unlimited budget and no care about noise - WD Blacks or enterprise 7200rpm

Budget and care about noise - WD Purple

Handy with tools and great value - WD External on offer and remove the drive :thumb:

**For info I have been supplying and building systems for 25 years, can't ever remember a WD Black or Enterprise equivalent 5 year warrantied drive go bad, seen plenty of Seagate 'Deathstars' and others pile up though :wow:
 
flynreelow said:
How much louder in reality are the wd blacks vs the purples?
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I have done dB test in the past, but the general noise is louder, 'machine gun' effect is also quite a bit louder. The enterprise style in the external drive enclosures are pretty good if you have them in a good drive mount, ie with anti vibration fixings in the case, suspect in the NVR you will not have that luxury.

If noise is an issue then go with Purple, do you have fans in the NVR, they will be quite loud anyway I suspect.

My recommendation is to get an external drive on offer from the big A or similar, crack it open and take the drive out. WD only make certain drives over and above 6-8TB, you end up with a very nice drive for a great price potentially.
 
biggen said:
The 7200rpm drives will be “clicky” compared to their 5600rpm brethren. I wouldn’t want my BI server with 4 Exos 24 drives in the same room with me.
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The big problem is they can vary depending on model (size), also some of the enterprise 7200's are actually very good, if in a vibration damped mounting. I sit next to (3 feet away) a 14TB WD enterprise drive in a PC which uses only Noctua fans, it registers 30-32db virtually next to the case. These drives are less click, more subtle low frequency 'thump' which I am happy with. I am very sensitive to any kind of computer noise, fans, drives whatever :lmao: annoys the heck out of me and has to be dealt with.

Placing either the NVR or PC on foam 'anti vibration' pads will also make a huge difference, night and day in fact. Either high density foam packing, yoga bricks :wow: or similar will work well.
 
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