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Disk Prices on Amazon

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Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#51

Post by toast0 »

joshstrange wrote: post #3

If you are trying to build a NAS or similar then my suggestion is go with shucked WD EasyStore externals, you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin but they are WD Whites inside and work very well from my experience. I just keep waiting for the 14TB's to fall a little further so I can replace one of my 5TB parity drives with that so I can grow my array.

> you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin

You mean the 3.3v issue. In most cases, you can also just clip the 3.3v wire that goes to the sata power connectors from your power supply. It's orange, you won't be missing out by not having it anymore, and it's easy to clip with wire cutters. You should put a dab of electrical tape on the cut ends, but a clean cut isn't likely to short on anything. Consider it updating your power supply to the latest SATA spec.

Some people do have sata enclosures that provide 3.3v, and they may need tape on their drives, or something more drastic.

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#52

Post by joshstrange »

ajphdiv wrote: post #10
joshstrange wrote: post #3

If you are trying to build a NAS or similar then my suggestion is go with shucked WD EasyStore externals, you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin but they are WD Whites inside and work very well from my experience. I just keep waiting for the 14TB's to fall a little further so I can replace one of my 5TB parity drives with that so I can grow my array.

I think I hear /r/DataHoarder/ calling you.

Oh, they have me hook, line, and sinker haha. Them along with /r/homelab and /r/unraid

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#53

Post by dredmorbius »

mNovak wrote: post #48

Setting aside the issue of counterfeits on Amazon, this is really nice. Clear, simple, functional and allows you to explore the space not just comparison shop for a specific item. I've long thought Amazon has terrible search and sort options for things like computer parts. Trying to buy e.g. RAM is a nightmare.

Trying to buy any specifically-indicated item, outside possibly books, is a clusterfudge.

Amazon's particularly bad, though few retailers are much better.

An advantage of going directly to a manufacturer or B&M retailer's page is actually the reduced set of possible products. You still get irrelevant results, but vastly fewer.

Less is more.

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#54

Post by toast0 »

Given Amazon's system for packing items, I would not buy hard drives from them. I don't want my hard drive's retail box bouncing around all over inside the outer amazon box for however long it takes to get to me. That's a recipe for issues down the road (or immediately).

That said, this looks like a useful tool. I can accept prices from Amazon and shop around for someone who knows how to pack.

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#55

Post by cortesoft »

sn wrote: post #32

We stopped buying drives from Amazon when we got drives for "the wrong region" and couldn't RMA them. NewEgg is a bit better, but don't buy refurbished drives. Provantage is another reputable vendor that usually has decent prices. If you're local to the SF bay area, check out Central Computers. King Star USA also works if you're a business customer making a large purchase.

Drives for the wrong region? What is that?

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#56

Post by mcbits »

xmichael99 wrote: post #17
lvs wrote: post #7

I wish the entire web looked like this once again. Ah the good ol' days. Please add Newegg and other non-Amazon vendors. Newegg has an API and everything. Around 10 - 15 years ago, I used to use a simple site called pricewatch that wasn't too far off from this.

Apparently it's against Amazon's API terms to compare with other sites. I recall years ago the guy who runs the site explained that he is only ok to compare Amazon with Amazon.

I don't think it's against the rules, but the rules are complex and spread all over multiple places, and they're like Google in that you have no due process if someone there decides they don't like what you're doing.

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#57

Post by joshstrange »

PenguinCoder wrote: post #43
joshstrange wrote: post #3

If you are trying to build a NAS or similar then my suggestion is go with shucked WD EasyStore externals, you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin but they are WD Whites inside and work very well from my experience. I just keep waiting for the 14TB's to fall a little further so I can replace one of my 5TB parity drives with that so I can grow my array.

Looking to build an inexpensive DAS array. Any other good ideas for storage/connectivity?

I might not be the best person to ask. I’m running 3 servers at home currently that are all desktop towers. With a 3->4 (3x5.25”->4x3.5” [0]) converter I can fit 12 drives in each tower. Across all 3 I have just over 150TB. There are some nice server chassis that can handle 20 but I’m more comfortable with tower hardware and when I hear “SAS backplate” my eyes glaze over...

I’m a big fan of UnRaid for my server OS but I know it’s not as advanced as some offerings on the market. I enjoy it’s ease of use and management of VM’s/containers.

I’m happy to share more if you are interested.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGZ42SM

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#58

Post by joshstrange »

numpad0 wrote: post #25
joshstrange wrote: post #3

If you are trying to build a NAS or similar then my suggestion is go with shucked WD EasyStore externals, you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin but they are WD Whites inside and work very well from my experience. I just keep waiting for the 14TB's to fall a little further so I can replace one of my 5TB parity drives with that so I can grow my array.

Shucked drives aren’t necessarily cheap, bare drives are always cheaper in my country

What country is that if you don’t mind my asking? Unfortunately, in the USA shucked are often cheaper than bare. I wish bare were cheaper b/c you void the warranty when you shuck..

Re: Disk Prices on Amazon

#60

Post by joshstrange »

toast0 wrote: post #51
joshstrange wrote: post #3

If you are trying to build a NAS or similar then my suggestion is go with shucked WD EasyStore externals, you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin but they are WD Whites inside and work very well from my experience. I just keep waiting for the 14TB's to fall a little further so I can replace one of my 5TB parity drives with that so I can grow my array.

> you need to either use molex to sata power to bypass the 2.2v issue or tape the pin You mean the 3.3v issue. In most cases, you can also just clip the 3.3v wire that goes to the sata power connectors from your power supply. It's orange, you won't be missing out by not having it anymore, and it's easy to clip with wire cutters. You should put a dab of electrical tape on the cut ends, but a clean cut isn't likely to…

:headsmack: I couldn’t remember the right voltage and I googled “2.2v” and I found a few reddit threads and assumed that was correct. 3.3v is the right number, thank you for correcting me. Yeah I bought some tape to cover the pin if needed but I found the molex cables to be easier, I didn’t know you could just cut the wire, I feel stupid now lol.
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