Published in PC Hardware

Western Digital brings out dual actuator hard disk drives

by on31 January 2023


20TB HDDs using less power

Western Digital has released its first dual actuator hard disk drive (HDD).

Dubbed the Ultrastar DC HS760 20TB HDD the device builds upon the single-actuator Ultrastar DC HC560 drive, but doubles its sequential and random read/write speed to SATA SSDs levels. 

Western Digital claims the drive consumes up to 37 per cent less power than two separate hard drives, although it is not publishing detailed specifications so we can check its adding up. 

The Ultrastar DC HS760 20TB dual actuator hard drive uses Western Digital's third generation OptiNAND platform, with nine 2.2TB ePMR (energy-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording technology) platters and NAND flash cache to store metadata and write cache data to boost performance and increase areal density.

The Ultrastar DC HS760 drive is accessed via single-port SAS and presents itself as two 10TB logical unit number (LUN) SAS devices. 

Western Digital's Ultrastar DC HS760 20TB HDD has a higher capacity than Seagate's dual-actuator Exos 2X18 18TB hard drives, but Seagate provides a  SATA interface, which makes it compatible with a wider range of customers.

Western Digital does not disclose the pricing of its dual actuator HDDs and since they are designed for data centers, their price will depend on volume and established or new long-term agreements.

 

Last modified on 31 January 2023
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