Seagate BarraCuda Internal Hard Drive 5TB SATA 6Gb/s 128MB Cache 2.5-Inch 15mm (ST5000LM000) (Renewed)
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AI Verdict
This 5TB 2.5-inch 15mm 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s renewed HDD is for desktop or external use where massive capacity trumps consistent write speed.
This drive is a situational fit because its 5TB capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor is unique for bulk storage, but the 15mm height severely restricts where it can be installed. The SMR technology also means it's only suitable for read-heavy or archival tasks, not for performance-critical applications.
If you need a drive for a laptop, look for a 2.5-inch drive with a 7mm or 9.5mm z-height; for consistent write performance, seek out CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) drives or SSDs.
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Pros
- Offers a substantial 5000 GB capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor, which is among the largest available.
- Capable of sequential speeds up to 140MB/s for data transfers.
- Features a 128MB cache to temporarily boost write performance.
- Operates with 'whisper-quiet' load/unload acoustics due to QuietStep Ramp Load technology.
- Backed by a 2-year seller warranty, providing some coverage for a renewed product.
Cons
- The 15mm z-height prevents installation in most laptops and game consoles, limiting its use to specific desktop or external enclosures.
- Utilizes Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology, leading to significantly slower random write performance, especially after the cache is full.
- The 5400RPM spindle speed is slower than 7200RPM drives, impacting overall responsiveness for active data.
- As a renewed product, there are user reports of higher failure rates and concerns about data degradation compared to new drives.
Dimension Scores
The 5400RPM spindle speed and SMR technology severely limit sustained random write speeds and overall performance, falling below category average for active data use.
As a renewed SMR drive, user reports indicate higher failure rates and concerns about data degradation, making it less reliable than new, CMR-based alternatives.
It offers an exceptional 5TB capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor, which is among the highest available for this size, making it ideal for bulk storage.
The 15mm z-height severely restricts compatibility, making it unsuitable for most laptops and game consoles, limiting its use to specific desktop or external enclosures.
Best For
- Desktop PC secondary storage for archiving large media libraries (over 1.25 million songs or 600 hours of HD video).
- External USB adapter enclosures for bulk data backup and cold storage.
- Servers or workstations with specific 2.5-inch 15mm drive bays that prioritize capacity over write speed.
- Users on a budget needing maximum storage per dollar for infrequently accessed files.
Not Recommended For
- Laptops or game consoles due to the 15mm thickness.
- RAID arrays or NAS systems that require consistent random write performance.
- Primary operating system drives where fast boot times and application loading are critical.
- Video editing or other write-intensive tasks that demand sustained high write speeds.
Watch Out For
- The SMR technology causes write speeds to drop dramatically after the 128MB cache is filled, with some users reporting speeds falling to zero for large transfers.
- Its 15mm height means it won't fit in standard 7mm or 9.5mm laptop drive bays, requiring specific desktop or external enclosures.
- As a renewed drive, there are reports of a 60% failure rate among some users, and a YouTube review claimed a 'staggering 300% failure rate within the first year' for the model, raising significant reliability concerns.
- Some users have experienced 'bit rot' or data degradation over time, where files become unreadable after a month of inactivity.
- Packaging for renewed drives has been criticized as subpar, leading to concerns about potential damage during shipping or the product's true condition.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B07MWDMD4J |
| Brand | Seagate |
| Color | Silver |
| Series | BarraCuda |
| Hard Drive | 5 TB 15mm Desktop PC HDD |
| Item Weight | 9.1 ounces |
| Manufacturer | SEAGATE |
| Special Feature | Hot Plug Support, SMART |
| Flash Memory Size | 5 TB |
| Hardware Platform | PC, laptop |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | ST5000LM000-cr |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, External USB adapter, Mac, Server, Workstation |
| Product Dimensions | 3.94 x 2.74 x 0.59 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | 15mm Desktop PC HDD |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.94 x 2.74 x 0.59 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 5000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 5400 RPM |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
The biggest surprise from user feedback is how much the SMR technology impacts real-world write performance; many buyers report that after the initial cache fills, write speeds plummet, sometimes to near zero, making it frustrating for large file transfers or system backups. While the 5TB capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor is a major draw, the 15mm thickness is a constant point of frustration for those trying to install it in laptops or consoles. The 'renewed' status also brings up recurring concerns about reliability, with some users experiencing early failures or data issues.
“Man, I thought 5TB for this price was a steal, but trying to copy my Steam library onto it was like watching paint dry, and it wouldn't even fit in my PS4 Pro, what a headache.”
Common Praise
- Provides a massive 5TB of storage in a compact 2.5-inch size, which is hard to find.
- Operates quietly, making it suitable for environments where noise is a concern.
- Works effectively for storing large amounts of infrequently accessed data like movies or music.
- Offers a cost-effective way to get high capacity storage compared to new drives.
Common Complaints
- Write speeds become extremely slow, often dropping to single-digit MB/s or even stalling, once the initial cache is full during large file transfers.
- The 15mm thickness means it won't fit in standard laptop bays or game consoles, leading to unexpected compatibility issues.
- Concerns about the reliability and longevity of renewed SMR drives, with some users reporting failures within a year.
- Packaging for the renewed product is often inadequate, raising doubts about its condition upon arrival.
Ownership Tips
- The drive's performance for write operations degrades significantly over time, especially with fragmented data or when the drive is nearly full, due to SMR's nature.
- You'll need to double-check the exact dimensions of your enclosure or device; '2.5-inch' doesn't automatically mean it will fit due to the 15mm height.
- Best used as a 'write once, read many' archive drive, rather than for active, frequently updated data.
- The 'whisper-quiet' claim holds up, it's generally not a noisy drive even under load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this 5TB drive fit in my laptop?
No, this drive has a 15mm z-height, which is too thick for most laptops that typically use 7mm or 9.5mm drives.
Is this a brand new hard drive?
No, this is an Amazon Renewed product, meaning it's a pre-owned product that has been inspected and tested to work and look like new.
How fast are the read and write speeds?
It offers sequential read speeds up to 140MB/s, but due to SMR technology, random write speeds can be very slow, especially after the 128MB cache is exhausted.
Can I use this drive in a NAS or RAID setup?
It's not recommended for NAS or RAID due to its SMR technology, which can cause severe performance degradation during rebuilds or write-intensive operations.
What kind of warranty does this renewed drive come with?
It comes with a 2-year seller warranty, not a direct manufacturer's warranty from Seagate.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at internal hard drives like this, you need to think about what you're actually going to do with it. Don't just chase the biggest number. If you're storing a ton of movies or photos you rarely touch, capacity is king. But if you're constantly moving files around, installing games, or running an operating system, speed matters way more. Also, 'renewed' means it's been used before, so manage your expectations on longevity compared to a brand-new drive.
Capacity (5000 GB)
This is how much data the drive can hold, like a digital closet. 5000 GB is a lot, enough for thousands of movies or millions of photos, making it great for archiving big collections.
Interface (Serial ATA-600)
This is the connection type and how fast data can theoretically flow between the drive and your computer, like a highway. SATA 6Gb/s is standard for modern hard drives, but the drive's internal speed (RPM) is often the real bottleneck.
Form Factor (2.5 Inches, 15mm)
This is the physical size of the drive. 2.5-inch drives are typically for laptops, but this one is 15mm thick, which is chunkier than most, so it won't fit in many laptops or game consoles. Think of it like trying to fit a thick book into a slim sleeve.
Drive Type (5400RPM)
This is how fast the platters inside the drive spin. 5400RPM is slower than 7200RPM drives, meaning data access and transfer speeds will generally be slower, especially for random reads and writes. It's like comparing a leisurely drive to a faster commute.
Alternatives
If you need a drive for a laptop, look for 2.5-inch drives with a 7mm or 9.5mm thickness. For better performance and consistent write speeds, search for 7200RPM drives or solid-state drives (SSDs) if budget allows.
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