HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise vs HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB: Spec Comparison
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You are looking at the hgst ultrastar he10 10tb enterprise vs ultrastar DC hc520 12tb comparison. Both drives share a 3.5-inch form factor, 7200 RPM speed, 256MB cache, and SATA 6Gb/s interface. They are built for enterprise use with helium sealing for efficiency. The main difference is capacity. The He10 offers 10TB, while the HC520 provides 12TB. This guide breaks down how these specs affect your storage decisions.
Key differences
| Aspect | HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive | HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 10TB | 12TB |
| Recording Technology | HelioSeal helium technology | Field-proven helium design |
| Security Feature | Not listed | Instant Secure Erase (ISE) |
Which one should you choose?
Choose HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive if
- You need a drive with HelioSeal technology to reduce vibration in dense arrays.
- Your system requires a 10TB capacity drive with legacy power disable features.
Choose HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive if
- You prioritize higher capacity with 12TB of storage space.
- You require Instant Secure Erase for data security compliance.
Verdict: Choose the He10 if you prefer its specific helium sealing and legacy compatibility features. Pick the HC520 if you need the extra 2TB of capacity and Instant Secure Erase support. Both drives offer identical performance specs for enterprise workloads.
He10 10TB vs HC520 12TB Specs
Storage Capacity
You need to look at how much data each drive holds. The HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive offers 10TB of storage space. The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive provides 12TB. This means the HC520 holds more data in the same physical space. If you are building a large array, the extra 2TB per drive adds up quickly. The He10 is a solid choice for smaller projects, but the HC520 gives you more density. This higher capacity is crucial for data centers aiming to maximize storage per rack unit without increasing power or cooling loads significantly.
Rotational Speed
Both drives spin at 7200 RPM. The HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive lists this speed clearly. The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive also runs at 7200 RPM. This means both offer similar performance for random read and write operations. You will not see a speed difference between them based on spindle speed alone. Both are designed for high-performance enterprise environments. The consistent rotational speed ensures predictable latency for your applications. This is a key factor for databases and virtualization where response time matters. Neither drive has an advantage here.
Cache Size
Cache memory helps buffer data before it is written to the platters. Both the HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive and the HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive include 256MB of cache. This ample buffer helps smooth out data transfers, especially during large file writes or random access patterns. Having equal cache sizes means both drives can handle similar burst workloads efficiently. You do not need to worry about one drive being slower due to smaller memory. This shared specification ensures consistent performance characteristics for your enterprise storage needs.
Recording Technology
Both drives use helium sealing technology. The He10 uses HelioSeal to reduce vibration and extend lifespan. The HC520 also features a field-proven helium design. Helium is less dense than air, which reduces drag on the read/write heads. This allows for lower power consumption and less heat generation. It also enables higher platter densities, which is how they achieve such large capacities. Both drives benefit from these efficiency gains. You get lower idle power usage and better thermal performance in both cases. This technology is standard for modern high-capacity enterprise drives.
Hardware Interface
Both drives connect via SATA 6Gb/s. The HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive supports this interface. The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive also uses SATA 6Gb/s. This is the standard interface for most enterprise servers and storage arrays. It provides sufficient bandwidth for these high-capacity drives. You will not see a bottleneck from the interface itself. Both drives are compatible with standard SATA controllers. This ensures easy integration into existing infrastructure without needing special cables or adapters, aside from the included cable for legacy systems mentioned for the He10.
Security Features
The HC520 includes Instant Secure Erase (ISE). This feature allows for rapid data destruction by resetting the drive's encryption keys. The He10 data does not explicitly list ISE, though it is an enterprise drive. If you require strict data security protocols for rapid turnover, the HC520 is the safer bet. ISE ensures that data is unrecoverable immediately after erasure. This is vital for compliance in many industries. The He10 may support similar features, but the HC520 explicitly highlights this capability. For environments with high security requirements, this feature provides a clear advantage.
Which HGST Enterprise Drive Fits Your Needs
Need maximum density for large scale storage
The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive offers 12TB of storage. This extra capacity suits high-density data centers and cloud applications. You get more data in the same 3.5-inch space. The helium design helps with power efficiency and reliability for continuous operation in demanding environments.
Prefer lower rotational speed for quiet operation
The HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive runs at 7200 RPM. While both drives share this speed, the He10 model is often preferred for its established helium sealing technology. This design reduces vibration and heat. You get a stable drive with 10TB capacity and 256MB cache for consistent performance.
Require secure data erasure for sensitive info
The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive includes Instant Secure Erase (ISE). This feature allows you to securely wipe data quickly. It is ideal for hyperscale storage and centralized video surveillance where security is critical. You also benefit from dual safe firmware for reliable updates and lower idle power.
The products compared
HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive
Best for: Enterprise servers needing 10TB helium drives
- Storage Capacity
- 10TB
- Form Factor
- 3.5-Inch
- Hardware Interface
- SATA 6Gb/s
- Rotational Speed
- 7200 RPM
- Cache Size
- 256MB
View on Amazon: HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive Affiliate link
This HGST Ultrastar He10 is a 10TB enterprise hard drive with a 7200 RPM spindle speed and SATA 6Gb/s interface. It uses HelioSeal helium technology to reduce vibration and extend lifespan. The drive includes a 256MB cache and an adapter cable for legacy systems. You should choose this drive if you need reliable performance in a 3.5-inch form factor for data-intensive tasks.
Pros
- 10TB storage capacity for large datasets
- 7200 RPM rotational speed for fast access
- HelioSeal helium technology reduces vibration
- 256MB cache improves data throughput
- Includes adapter cable for legacy systems
Cons
- 10TB capacity is smaller than the 12TB alternative
- Enterprise drive may be overkill for light use
- No mention of included power supply unit
Good fit if
- You need high-capacity storage for enterprise servers
- You want helium-filled drives for lower heat
- You have legacy systems needing an adapter
Skip if
- You require more than 10TB of space
- You are building a quiet home media center
- You need a drive with built-in encryption
Verdict: HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise offers robust enterprise performance with helium sealing. It fits users needing reliable 10TB storage with high RPM speeds.
HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive
Best for: High-density data centers and surveillance
- Storage Capacity
- 12TB
- Form Factor
- 3.5-Inch
- Hardware Interface
- SATA 6Gb/s
- Rotational Speed
- 7200RPM
- Cache Size
- 256MB
- Dimensions
- 5.79 × 4.01 × 1.03 inches
View on Amazon: HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive Affiliate link
The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 offers 12TB of storage in a 3.5-inch form factor. It runs at 7200 RPM with a SATA 6Gb/s interface and 256MB cache. This drive uses helium design for power efficiency and includes Instant Secure Erase. It suits high-density data centers and centralized video surveillance where durability and capacity are key priorities.
Pros
- 12TB storage capacity
- 7200 RPM rotational speed
- 256MB cache size
- Helium design for efficiency
Cons
- SATA 6Gb/s interface limits bandwidth
- No NVMe or SAS option available
- Heavy and bulky 3.5-inch build
Good fit if
- You need high capacity for data centers
- You require Instant Secure Erase for security
- You want power-efficient helium drives
Skip if
- You need faster NVMe speeds
- You require a 2.5-inch form factor
- You prioritize low latency over capacity
Verdict: HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB delivers robust 12TB storage with 7200 RPM performance for data centers. It fits users needing secure, efficient helium drives for high-density applications.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | HGST Ultrastar He10 10TB Enterprise Hard Drive | HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB SATA Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 10TB | 12TB |
| Form Factor | 3.5-Inch | 3.5-Inch |
| Hardware Interface | SATA 6Gb/s | SATA 6Gb/s |
| Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM | 7200RPM |
| Cache Size | 256MB | 256MB |
| Size | 10TB - SE | 12TB |
| Dimensions | not stated | 5.79 × 4.01 × 1.03 inches |
| Color | Silver | Silver |
| Model | 0F27454-cr | HUH721212ALE600 |
Frequently asked questions
Do both drives use the same interface?
Yes, both the HGST Ultrastar He10 and the DC HC520 use a SATA hardware interface. This standard connection ensures compatibility with most enterprise server motherboards and storage arrays. You can install either drive into systems designed for SATA connections without needing special adapters or converters for the data link itself.
Is the cache size different between the two models?
No, the cache size is identical for both drives. Each model features a 256MB cache. This buffer helps manage data flow between the drive platters and your system memory. Having equal cache sizes means performance handling for small random reads and writes remains consistent between the 10TB and 12TB versions.
Which drive is better for high-density data centers?
The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB is the better choice for high-density environments. It offers 12TB of storage in the same 3.5-inch form factor as the 10TB model. This extra capacity allows you to store more data per rack unit, which is ideal for cloud applications and large-scale data centers needing maximum density.
Do these drives operate at the same speed?
Yes, both drives rotate at 7200 RPM. This rotational speed is standard for enterprise-class hard drives that require consistent performance for server workloads. You get the same baseline seek times and data transfer rates from both the He10 and the HC520, ensuring predictable latency in your enterprise server setup.
Are both drives helium-filled?
Yes, both models utilize helium sealing technology. The product descriptions confirm they are built for efficiency using helium. This sealing reduces internal friction and heat generation, allowing for higher capacities in a standard 3.5-inch form factor. You benefit from improved reliability and lower power consumption in your enterprise environment.
What is the physical size of these drives?
Both drives share a 3.5-inch form factor. The HC520 measures 5.79 inches in length, 4.01 inches in width, and 1.03 inches in height. The He10 is designed to fit the same standard drive bays used in enterprise servers. You can swap them into existing 3.5-inch slots without modifying the physical chassis.
Can I use these drives for surveillance?
The HGST Ultrastar DC HC520 12TB is explicitly noted as fitting users needing drives for surveillance. Its 12TB capacity and 7200 RPM speed support continuous write workloads typical in security systems. While the He10 is also enterprise-grade, the HC520 is specifically highlighted for high-density applications including surveillance and data center storage.