Question Regarding HDD Temps in PC Desktop

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BYS

n3wb
Jul 15, 2024
9
1
Los Angeles, CA
Question Regarding HDD Temps in PC Desktop:
Am running BI using a ThinkCentre M90t Gen 3. It is a full sized desktop. I acquired it with no fans at a really good price new.
Installed a WD Purple 4TB (5400 RPM) and a Seagate Skyhawk AI 10TB (7200 RPM). I never had any problems with the WD temps. They are always under the HD Sentinel warning threshold which is 43C. The Seagate, however, averages 43C sometimes hits 44C to 45C. Prior to adding a front fan, the Seagate was hitting 60C. I installed a basic Lenovo fan, which seems to be just some generic but it did reduce the Seagate temp by at least 15C.
Is the Seagate temp normal for a 7200RPM? Is there something else I can do? I tried installing a third fan right near the Seagate but it actually caused higher temp as it seems the extra fan was blocking case airflow. Will a higher powered case intake fan help or have I reached my limit for the Seagate?

Thank you!

PS In the photo, the WD is in the upper bay and the Seagate in the lower bay.
 

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7200 rpm drives run at 120-150F and I wouldn't attempt running them in a case built like that. I would suggest getting a mid or full tower case and transplanting the computer into it, or get a mini tower like a Thermaltake Core V21 and attach it to the bottom of the existing case and run the drives and power supply (probably have to get a new power supply so it will have long motherboard leads) in the bottom case.
 
ChrisWPG said:
See
The operating temp is up to 65C, but there's a footnote there that says over 40C you'll have lower MTBF. 45C seems a tad hot, but not insane. Do you have another fan point you can fill in front or behind the drive?
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Thank you. The WD averages about 38C but has peaked at 40C at times. Its the Seagate temps I am worried about. Unfortunately I dont have the airflow specs to the fan currently being used. It is a Lenovo part though. Is there a stronger fan I can out in and would that help? I use a Noctua 8025 in another desktop and it sounds like a jet so hesistant to put one in the BI PC.
 
If you look for the data sheet the temp range for the Seagate is the same. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

But if you want to get into it, fans are a big question and it depends on a few things. Noise will be dictated by the RPM and how fancy the fan is, a nice Noctua will be much quieter than a generic case fan at the same RPM. You can buy fans with a fixed RPM, but most are variable RPM via PWM (pulse width modulation). It will depend if you're running the fan from a header (pins) on the motherboard that does variable speed. If the motherboard won't control the fan speed you could get something like NF-S12A PWM which gives you the option to run the fan at a couple different RPM settings. If you have a local computer store it may be worth going down there and seeing if they'll let you buy a couple to try then return one you don't want. HTH
 
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BYS said:
I think the desktop case is a full size one. ThinkCentre M90t Gen 3 (Intel) Tower | Powerful, versatile 17L desktop

Its not a mini if you considered my question carefully. The question regarding the drive is it seems to peak at 45C and average 43 to 44C and is that excessive?. That translates to 113F peak. Thank you.
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In heavy use they will run as high as 70C. Its on their datasheet. They typically will give a 20C rise in case temperature in a normal case.
 
The WD Purple drives are temperature stable, as I have put them in Hikvision's NVRs and put them in unconditioned storage sheds and they ran uninterrupted for years. I tried a Seagate one in one once it lasted a week.
 
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Thank you all. I decided to continue monitoring the situation. Its friggin hot where I am and maybe moving it to a lower ambient temp room is the most practical solution.

Had I known the Seagate gets as hot as it does versus the WD I probably would have passed on it.
 
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