Overheating HDDs

[Mr.Cool]

I keep my system running 24x7 these days. It just gets a break of about 15 mins and then, i switch it on again. (no wonder i've downloaded 15gb in 8days )

According to manufactures, the normal recommended working temperature of a hard disk is 35-40°С. Once it rises by just 10°С – from 40°С to 50°С, the safety of its work becomes more than two times less!

If that is true, then my hard disks are in deep $h1t.
The SATA 2 HDD runs at 52ºC and the older PATA HDD runs at 42ºC !!


According to you, what is the normal temperature of a HDD and what is a Over-Heating temperature for it as well ??

Suggestions and comments are needed ....(and fast....)

[janitha]

It depends mostly on the ambient temperature and if your room temperature is 42, HDD temp of 52 should be normal. (I mean a difference of 10 degrees C.) However you may use a HDD cooler or a single fan glued onto it, to be on the safer side. You may also refer the following link.
http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=7677

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by janitha

It depends mostly on the ambient temperature and if your room temperature is 42, HDD temp of 52 should be normal. (I mean a difference of 10 degrees C.) However you may use a HDD cooler or a single fan glued onto it, to be on the safer side.

I get very low temps for my HDDs as I have good air flow around my HDDs - check out attached image which I took right now.... my room temp at the moment it 29C. My HDDs are abs cool to touch.

You may feel that there is something wrong with my readings .....but.... I have recently changed from an Intel setup to an AMD setup and the HDD temps have remained the same compared to ambient room temps. I use Maxtor and Hitachi HDDs.

[kalpik]

Your temperatures are pretty ormal if u ask me. Still, if you want, install some extra fans for good air flow.

[janitha]

Originally Posted by Eazy

I get very low temps for my HDDs as I have good air flow around my HDDs - check out attached image which I took right now.... my room temp at the moment it 29C. My HDDs are abs cool to touch.

You may feel that there is something wrong with my readings .....but.... I have recently changed from an Intel setup to an AMD setup and the HDD temps have remained the same compared to ambient room temps. I use Maxtor and Hitachi HDDs.

It is surprising that your HDD is running only 1 degree higher than the ambient. You should be having very good airflow. Pl tell about the cabinet, fans etc. it seems your case fan is 120mm. (because of low rpm)

Which utility you are using for measurement of temp etc.?

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by janitha

It is surprising that your HDD is running only 1 degree higher than the ambient. You should be having very good airflow. Pl tell about the cabinet, fans etc. it seems your case fan is 120mm. (because of low rpm)

Which utility you are using for measurement of temp etc.?

I have 3 120mm fans in my case - in the picture you see the utility Sensorsview ... I also use Samurize and Mother Board Monitor and ASUS Probe II - all give the same reading.

I also have done a bit of Cable Management and moved all cables out of the way of the air flow. I have made sure that the intake and exhaust 120mm fans are not restriced in air movement by the case itself - some cases cover up these fans a lot.

I used to think that such a small increase in HDD temp could be caused by the HDD being in sleep mode - I checked and all options for this are switched off in BIOS as well as Power Options of Control Panel. I have wondered if it possible that the HDD itself has a sleep mode built in and that may be responsible for the low temps. I doubt it as there is no noticeable time lag when I select something and the time taken for it to run. The HDDs are abs cool to touch - not even a hint of warmth. By the way I have 10 Maxtor and Hitachi HDDs and all run at these low temps ... EXCEPT ... a Maxtor 120GB SATA HDD which runs at 6 - 8C higher temp. I dont run more than 2 HDDs at a time. A few are in External USB cases.

[janitha]

Why do you use 10 HDDs? And only 2 at a time? Asking just out of curiosity!
And what brand is your cabinet?

[deathvirus_me]

Anything around 40c is good .. For Hdd's >50c is bad ...

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by janitha

Why do you use 10 HDDs? And only 2 at a time? Asking just out of curiosity!
And what brand is your cabinet?

I buy a HDD everytime I have some spare cash Just a sort of paranoia - I have had 4 HDD die on me and I have tons of Videos and mp3 stuff..... I dont take chances. 4 of the HDDs are in external USB cases - each with a different lot of backups. I am sure you have realised I have a lot of free time

I have an Antec P160 with an Antec TP II 550 PSU. This case allows very easy HDD swapping - like most cases today.

[samrulez]

Get bay fans that slide into the bays over the hard disk and cool it.......

[jbohaj]

Also Do u know that on which Web Site prices can be checked of the Seagate Hard Disks, which are listed in the Seagate Web site From 250 GB To 320 GB, in Indian rupees.

[yippee]

im running three HD's in my old system with 6800gt card which dose'nt have hot air outlet in the back all the hot air are blown against the HD's which is already running hot use HD cooler it seems to work.