Seagate launches helium-filled 10TB HDD for data centers

Following HGST, Seagate has also introduced a 10TB data center HDD. It is Seagate’s first hard drive to be filled with helium. HGST, part of Western Digital, has been using this technique for some time.

In late 2014, Seagate promised the arrival of a 10TB HDD the following year. However, the disc did not appear in 2015. Now the manufacturer has introduced its first helium-filled HDD with storage capacity of 10TB. Initially, Seagate stated that using helium is too expensive, but the manufacturer seems to have come back to that now. According to AnandTech, the drives are already being used by two of Seagate’s major customers, with large-scale deliveries to follow. When and at what price is unknown.

The 3.5″ HDD uses seven platters with a capacity of 1.43TB each. Seagate claims an MTBF of 2.5 million hours. Specifications such as rpm and read and write speeds have not yet been disclosed by the manufacturer. available with sata600 or sas3 connection.

HGST, part of Western Digital, has been making HDDs with a housing that is filled with helium since 2013. Because Helium has a lower density than air, the platters and the heads suffer less from friction, with all the advantages in terms of heat development. Also, less energy is required for rotation, which results in energy savings. However, the discs must be made airtight. In 2015, HGST started shipping its 10TB HDD.