Seagate
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16 TB · 3.5" · 7,200 RPM
7.9
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Seagate BarraCuda 8TB
A low-cost 8TB desktop hard drive that uses SMR recording, which slows sustained and rewrite-heavy work.
- 8 TB
- 3.5"
- 5,400 RPM
- SMR
- Desktop
PCPR score
5.6
Poor
Best price we’ve seen
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R1
The short version
The 8TB BarraCuda is Seagate's desktop hard drive, and Seagate's own recording list confirms it uses SMR at this capacity. Tom's Hardware tested the 8TB model and found it inexpensive but held back by SMR, a 5400 RPM spindle and a two-year warranty. It suits occasional bulk storage in a desktop PC. Buyers who rewrite data often, or who plan to use it in a NAS, should look at a CMR drive instead.
Pros
- Positioned as a low-cost desktop drive
- 256MB cache
- Simple 3.5-inch SATA installation
Cons
- SMR recording slows sustained and rewrite-heavy work
- Two-year warranty is short
- Poor fit for NAS or RAID use
Best for
- Occasional bulk storage in a desktop
- Archives that are written once and read often
J3
Full specifications
Core
- Capacity
- 8 TB
- Form factor
- 3.5"
- Interface
- SATA III
Performance
- Spindle speed
- 5,400 RPM
- Cache
- 256 MB
- Recording
- SMR
Features
- Intended use
- Desktop
- Warranty
- 2 years
Compatibility notes
- 3.5-inch SATA at 6 Gb/s; needs a 3.5-inch bay plus SATA data and power.
- SMR drives are generally a poor fit for NAS and RAID arrays.
P1
Where to buy
- Buy from the maker
Seagate official page
Direct link
- Check price on Amazon
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AV1
Video reviews
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AV2
What reviewers and owners say
Tom's Hardware
CriticalTesting the 8TB model, finds the BarraCuda cheap but compromised by SMR recording, a slow spindle and a short warranty, and points to CMR rivals at similar prices.
2/5 · 2023-06-30
Read the source
Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.
R9
Common questions
Is the 8TB BarraCuda SMR?
Yes. Seagate's CMR and SMR list shows the 8TB BarraCuda using SMR, while the 12TB and larger BarraCuda models use CMR.
Can it be used in a NAS?
It is not designed for one. SMR slows rebuilds and sustained rewrites, so a CMR NAS drive such as an IronWolf or WD Red Plus is a safer choice.
J9Alternatives
