How long does a hard drive last? When should it be replaced?

The hard drive is where data is stored that is related to the operation of the computer. Like other electronic devices, the hard drive also has its own life cycle. Therefore, many customers who store important data often ask how long the hard drive can be used. To answer this question, let's find out with Hacom in the article below!

How long can a hard drive be used?

Currently, there are two popular types of hard drives: SSD and HDD. First, let's learn about HDD, the more widely used and popular type of hard drive.

In terms of structure and operating principles, HDD hard drives operate mechanically with the data on the rotating disk surface. Therefore, HDD hard drives will gradually decrease in lifespan over time. It is difficult to say a specific number about the lifespan of a hard drive, but based on the warranty period of hard drive brands such as WD or Toshiba, the warranty period of a hard drive is mentioned from 1-5 years depending on the type. In fact, this is also a number that users think is close to the lifespan of a hard drive. So it can be tentatively concluded that the hard drive has a stable operating lifespan of 5 years. Of course, many people also think that they can use a hard drive for up to 7, 8 years or even longer. It is true that a hard drive can be used for such a period of time, but it also depends on many factors, the highest of which is the user's usage habits.

With SSD hard drives, this is a solid-state hard drive so it does not use mechanical parts to operate but uses memory chips on the circuit board. Thanks to that, it is less susceptible to physical damage. But that does not mean it can be used longer. These memory chips have parameters that limit the capacity to read and write data. When users reach this index, it means that the usage time is also over. Like last year, with coin farmers, overwriting large data continuously shortens the life of the SSD to only a few months of use.

What factors affect the lifespan of a hard drive?

Knowing that hard drives have a certain life cycle, however, if you use them carefully, you can more or less increase their lifespan. Below is an impact that can affect the lifespan of a hard drive that you can refer to.

Production process from factory

Electronic devices or electronic components, even though they have been inspected before leaving the factory, are still likely to have errors. This is the experience of many users from the past to the present. Even if you just bought them from the store, sealed and unboxed, having errors is too normal. Of course, this number is not high, only less than 5%, but if you have bad luck, the unlucky person will be you.

Environmental impact

The hot and humid environment in Vietnam is the biggest enemy of electronic devices. During use, weather fluctuations such as heat, high humidity or lightning strikes will also shorten the life of the hard drive. Limiting the ideal operating conditions of the hard drive to a dry, clean space will also improve the life of the hard drive.

Operating temperature

It is not because of excess money that users today spend a lot of money on expensive cases or air coolers, installing additional fans in their computer systems. High operating temperatures are a factor that greatly affects the lifespan of components inside the system. With high operating frequency, unoptimized heat will make your hard drive die faster.

Power supply

Unstable power grid causes the power supply to electronic components, including hard drives, to suddenly increase or decrease. If unlucky, these components will die unexpectedly at any time.

External physical impacts

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, strong external physical impacts on the hard drive will affect the components and parts inside the hard drive. In many cases, if dropped, your hard drive may die immediately.

Marvin Fry

Update 16 January 2025