iMac HD failed - need replacement suggestion

[djc6]

I have a 2008 2.8Ghz iMac. The HD failed. I need a new one, but I never know what brand to get. I've been burned by most of them at some point in my life 🙂

My priority list is 1) Reliability 2) Performance 3) Capacity. Can anyone offer any suggestions? I tend to go on newegg and see which has the most stars. If I delve too closely into the reviews, I'll find failures for all of them (which I know to expect..)

 

[paduck]

I have a 2008 2.8Ghz iMac. The HD failed. I need a new one, but I never know what brand to get. I've been burned by most of them at some point in my life 🙂

My priority list is 1) Reliability 2) Performance 3) Capacity. Can anyone offer any suggestions? I tend to go on newegg and see which has the most stars. If I delve too closely into the reviews, I'll find failures for all of them (which I know to expect..)

I've used Hitachi and Samsung drives that have worked well. All purchased from Newegg.

Here is a 500GB one with 5 stars:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

But you have lots of choices. Just make sure you have a backup!

 

[djc6]

Just make sure you have a backup!

I've got time machine AND carbonite, so I'm good there. My main concern is reattaching the temperature sensor on the HD. Not sure what adhesive to use.

 

[product26]

If your main concern is reliability, get an 'enterprise' class drive. They have higher lifespan ratings and longer warranty terms. Do expect the price to be higher.

 

[paduck]

I've got time machine AND carbonite, so I'm good there. My main concern is reattaching the temperature sensor on the HD. Not sure what adhesive to use.

How about a really good fan? Then you don't need to worry about heat!

 

[djc6]

I decided to go with a 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 (HD103SJ):

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/HDD-6Gbit,2528-3.html

I've had good luck with Samsung in the past. It seems fast and runs cooler than most - a winning combination. Affordable too, like $60 shipped on newegg.

 

[flipster]

I decided to go with a 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 (HD103SJ):

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/HDD-6Gbit,2528-3.html

I've had good luck with Samsung in the past. It seems fast and runs cooler than most - a winning combination. Affordable too, like $60 shipped on newegg.

I've actually heard that those are very reliable drives and a lot of good things were said about them. If you don't get that one, then get a western digital black caviar hard drive.

 

[Detosx]

I've actually heard that those are very reliable drives and a lot of good things were said about them. If you don't get that one, then get a western digital black caviar hard drive.

Big fan of both. Some Caviar black samples I have found quite loud (though extremely quiet relative to the noisy 1TB Seagate in my iMac which I am keen to change). The performance of the Caviar Black makes any criticism almost seem churlish. Though customer reviews of the Samsung on ebuyer are almost universally excellent for quiet, I know from experience that even Samsungs have had bad batch runs. I don't know how either drive performs acoustically in your model but if performance is your main priority and you are confident in what you are doing I would go for the Western Digital CB.