Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda 500GB 7.2K RPM Hard Drive SATA Refurbished

In the world of data storage, hard drives play a crucial role in preserving and accessing our valuable information. Seagate, a well-known name in the storage industry, offers a wide range of hard drives to cater to the diverse needs of consumers. One such product is the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda 500GB 7.2K RPM Hard Drive SATA 6GBPS Internal. In this comprehensive review, we will delve deep into this hard drive, exploring its key features, performance, reliability, and relevance in today's storage landscape.

Before we delve into the specifics of the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda hard drive, it's essential to understand its key features, as they form the foundation for its performance and utility.

• Capacity: This Seagate Barracuda hard drive boasts a substantial 500GB of storage capacity. This means it can hold a vast amount of data, including documents, photos, videos, and more.
• Speed: The drive operates at a speed of 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM). Higher RPM indicates faster data access and transfer speeds, making it ideal for tasks requiring quick data retrieval.
• Interface: The hard drive is equipped with a SATA 6GBPS interface. This interface allows for high-speed data transfer between the hard drive and the host system.
• Form Factor: The drive adheres to the standard 3.5-inch form factor, making it suitable for desktop computers and other compatible devices.
• Cache Size: It features a cache size of 32MB. The cache is a buffer that temporarily stores data for quicker access, further enhancing its performance.
• Reliability: Seagate is known for its reliability, and the Barracuda series is no exception. It comes with a range of technologies to ensure your data is safe and secure.

Now that we have a grasp of the key features, let's take a closer look at each aspect of the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda hard drive.

The capacity of a hard drive is one of the most critical aspects to consider when choosing storage solutions. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda offers a generous 500GB of storage space. To put that into perspective, here's what you can expect to store on a 500GB hard drive:

• Documents: You can store thousands of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without worrying about running out of space.
• Photos: Depending on the resolution, you can store thousands of high-quality photos on this hard drive.
• Videos: You can store a considerable amount of standard-definition videos. While it may not be ideal for 4K video storage, it's perfect for general video storage needs.
• Games: This hard drive can accommodate a variety of video games, making it a suitable choice for gamers looking to expand their storage capacity.
• Music: You can store tens of thousands of songs, making it an excellent choice for music enthusiasts.

The ample storage capacity ensures that you can use this hard drive for a wide range of applications, from backing up important data to expanding your media library. Whether you're a student, professional, or home user, the 500GB capacity should suffice for your needs.

The rotational speed of a hard drive, measured in RPM, significantly influences its performance. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda operates at a speed of 7,200 RPM, which is commonly referred to as a 7.2K RPM hard drive. This speed has several implications for users:

• Faster Data Access: Higher RPM means the hard drive's read/write heads can access data on the spinning platters more quickly. This results in faster data retrieval, making it suitable for tasks that require quick access to information.
• Smooth Video Streaming: If you plan to use the hard drive for media storage, the 7.2K RPM speed ensures that your videos and music play without buffering or lag.
• Better Gaming Performance: Gamers will appreciate the faster loading times and smoother gameplay when using this hard drive to store their game library.
• Productivity Boost: For professional users, the increased speed contributes to quicker application launches and reduced wait times when working with large files.

The 7.2K RPM speed is a significant advantage, especially when compared to slower hard drives with RPM ratings of 5,400 or 5,900. It strikes a good balance between performance and storage capacity.

The interface of a hard drive determines how it connects to your computer or host system. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda features a SATA 6GBPS interface. Let's explore what this means:

• High Data Transfer Rates: SATA 6GBPS is the third generation of the Serial ATA (SATA) interface. It offers a maximum data transfer rate of 6 gigabits per second (Gbps). This high-speed interface ensures that data moves between your computer and the hard drive swiftly.
• Compatibility: SATA interfaces are widely used in modern computers, making this hard drive compatible with a broad range of systems. Whether you have a desktop PC or a compatible external enclosure, connecting this drive is hassle-free.
• Backward Compatibility: Even if your system supports a lower SATA version (e.g., SATA 3GBPS), this hard drive is backward compatible, so you can still use it, albeit at a slightly reduced speed.

The SATA 6GBPS interface is a notable advantage for users looking for fast data transfer rates and a hassle-free installation process.

The form factor of a hard drive specifies its physical dimensions and shape. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda adheres to the standard 3.5-inch form factor. Here's what you need to know about this form factor:

• Desktop Compatibility: The 3.5-inch form factor is typically used in desktop computers. This makes it a suitable choice for upgrading or replacing the hard drive on your desktop PC.
• Mounting Options: Most desktop computer cases are designed to accommodate 3.5-inch hard drives, making the installation straightforward.
• External Enclosures: While this drive is designed for internal use, you can still place it in an external enclosure designed for 3.5-inch hard drives to create an external storage solution.

Not Suitable for Laptops: Due to its size, this hard drive is not suitable for laptops, which typically use 2.5-inch drives.

The 3.5-inch form factor is the standard for desktop hard drives, ensuring compatibility with most desktop systems and accessories.

Cache Size - 32MB for Enhanced Performance

The cache, also known as the buffer, is a small amount of high-speed memory integrated into the hard drive. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda boasts a 32MB cache size. Here's how this cache benefits users:

• Faster Data Access: The cache stores frequently accessed data, allowing for quicker retrieval. This is particularly useful for tasks that involve reading or writing small, frequently used files.
• Smoother Performance: The cache helps in smoothing out performance when you're multitasking or running multiple applications simultaneously.
• Reduces Latency: Data in the cache can be read or written to and from the hard drive more quickly, reducing latency and improving overall system responsiveness.

While the cache size may not be the largest available, it still contributes to a noticeable improvement in overall performance when compared to hard drives with smaller or no caches.

Reliability - Built to Protect Your Data

Seagate is known for its commitment to data protection and reliability. The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda includes several features to ensure the safety and integrity of your data:

• AcuTrac Technology: This technology enhances data integrity by ensuring that the drive's read/write heads maintain precise alignment, even in demanding operating environments.
• SmartAlign Technology: This feature makes drive installation and data migration simple and straightforward. It aligns the hard drive with the system's performance and formatting requirements.
• Quiet Operation: The drive is designed to operate quietly, reducing noise levels in your computing environment.
• Low Power Consumption: It's an energy-efficient drive, which not only reduces your power bills but also contributes to a greener environment.
• RoHS Compliance: The hard drive complies with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, ensuring that it contains minimal hazardous materials.

These reliability features contribute to the overall trustworthiness of the Seagate Barracuda hard drive. Whether you're using it for important work-related tasks or to store cherished personal memories, you can count on this drive to safeguard your data.

Performance - Real-World Testing

To truly understand the capabilities of the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda, it's important to assess its performance through real-world testing scenarios:

• Boot Time: When used as the system drive (where your operating system is installed), the drive's 7.2K RPM speed is evident in faster boot times. Your computer can be up and running in no time.
• Application Loading: Loading large applications and software is noticeably quicker when compared to slower hard drives. This reduces waiting times and enhances your productivity.
• File Transfers: Transferring files to and from the Barracuda drive is a swift process thanks to the SATA 6GBPS interface. This is particularly useful when moving large media files or backing up data.
• Gaming: Gamers will appreciate the faster loading times in their games. Additionally, the drive's ample storage capacity ensures that you can store multiple games without running out of space.
• Multitasking: The 32MB cache and overall drive speed contribute to smooth multitasking. You can run multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing significant slowdowns.

The Seagate Barracuda performs exceptionally well in everyday computing tasks, making it an excellent choice for users who need a balance of speed and storage capacity.

Competitive Analysis

To assess the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda's place in the current storage landscape, it's essential to compare it with similar products from other manufacturers. Let's examine how it fares against its competitors:

• Western Digital Blue 500GB: Western Digital's Blue series offers a 500GB 7.2K RPM hard drive with a SATA 6GBPS interface, similar to the Seagate Barracuda. Both drives are renowned for their reliability, but Seagate often offers more competitive pricing.
• Toshiba P300 500GB: Toshiba's P300 series includes a 500GB hard drive with a 7.2K RPM speed. It competes closely with the Seagate Barracuda in terms of capacity and performance. However, Seagate's reliability features may provide an edge in data protection.
• HGST Ultrastar 7K4000 500GB: HGST (a subsidiary of Western Digital) offers the Ultrastar 7K4000 series with a 500GB 7.2K RPM hard drive. While HGST drives are known for their enterprise-level reliability, they often come at a higher price point compared to the Seagate Barracuda.
• Crucial MX500 500GB SSD: If you're looking for even faster performance and can compromise on storage capacity, the Crucial MX500 500GB SSD is an alternative. SSDs lack moving parts, offering better durability and faster data access, but they come at a higher cost per gigabyte compared to traditional hard drives.
• Seagate BarraCuda 2TB: If you require more storage space, Seagate's own BarraCuda series offers a 2TB hard drive with similar specifications. It's a suitable choice if you need additional capacity without sacrificing performance.

It's evident that the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda offers a competitive combination of capacity, speed, and reliability, particularly when compared to other 500GB hard drives in its class. The pricing is often a deciding factor, and Seagate's Barracuda series is often budget-friendly.

Use Cases

The Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda 500GB 7.2K RPM hard drive is versatile and well-suited for various use cases:

• Home Storage: Whether you need to store your personal photos, videos, and music or create backups of your important documents, this hard drive offers ample storage space and reliable performance.
• Gaming: Gamers looking to expand their storage for an extensive game library will find this hard drive ideal. Faster loading times and sufficient capacity ensure a smooth gaming experience.
• Small Business: Small businesses with moderate storage needs can rely on this drive for data backup and file storage. Its reliability features protect valuable business data.
• Media Enthusiasts: If you are a photography or videography enthusiast, this hard drive provides a convenient and cost-effective way to store your large media files.
• General Use: Everyday computing tasks, such as web browsing, word processing, and running office applications, benefit from the drive's speed and ample capacity.
• Upgrade: Upgrading an existing desktop computer with limited storage capacity is a common use case. Replacing the existing hard drive with the Seagate Barracuda allows for more storage without buying a new system.

• Manufacturer: Seagate
• Part Number or SKU# ST3500413AS
• Product Name: Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Interface Type: SATA-6GBPS

• Form Factor: 3.5 Inch x 1/4H
• Capacity : 500 Gigabyte(GB)
• Interface Type: Serial ATA-600
• Buffer Size: 16 MB
• Bytes per Sector: 512

• Drive Transfer Rate: 600 MBPS (External)
• Seek Time: 8.5 MS (Average)
• Average Latency: 4.17 MS
• Spindle Speed: 7200 RPM

• Interfaces 1 x Serial ATA-600 - 7 pin Serial ATA

In summary, the Seagate ST3500413AS Barracuda 500GB 7.2K RPM hard drive with a SATA 6GBPS interface offers a compelling storage solution for a variety of users. Its generous capacity, high-speed performance, and reliability features make it a valuable addition to your computing setup.

Whether you're a home user looking to safeguard your personal data, a gamer seeking faster loading times, or a small business in need of a reliable backup solution, this hard drive delivers on multiple fronts.

When compared to its competitors, the Seagate Barracuda stands out for its combination of features and affordability. It strikes a balance between performance and storage capacity, making it a versatile choice for different use cases.

In today's data-driven world, having a reliable and capacious storage solution is essential, and the Seagate Barracuda doesn't disappoint. It's a dependable workhorse that can meet your storage needs and keep your data safe and accessible.