Head-to-Head · Internal Hard Drives
Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB)
Scored Dimensions
5.5
Reliability & Endurance
8.5
6.0
Transfer Speed
9.5
7.0
Noise & Heat
3.0
8.5
Value per TB
8.0
5.8
Packaging & Arrival
5.5
2.9
Warranty & Support
5.3
Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
The Good
- Installation is consistently reported as easy and straightforward, often a drop-in replacement for existing systems.
- Exhibits strong compatibility with a wide range of security camera DVR and NVR systems, including Zosi, Swann, Eufy, and Hikvision.
- Many owners find it offers good value for money, especially when upgrading capacity from older drives.
- Frequently described as quiet during operation, with minimal or unnoticeable noise.
- Provides ample storage capacity, with some users reporting weeks of continuous 4K recording.
The Bad
- A notable number of owners report premature drive failures, some within months or a couple of years of use.
- Several users express significant frustration with Seagate's warranty and replacement process, citing costs for shipping defective units.
- Some owners found the drive's transfer speeds to be slow or glitchy, particularly with higher camera counts.
- Occasional reports of the drive being noisier than expected or making creaking sounds.
- Packaging during arrival sometimes received criticism for not being adequately protective.
WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB)
The Good
- Exceptional Transfer Speeds: Owners consistently praise the drive's fast loading and transfer times, noting its 7200 RPM speed and large cache make a noticeable difference for large files, video editing, and gaming.
- Strong Reliability and Endurance: Many long-term users report years of flawless operation, with some drives lasting well beyond their warranty period, making the WD Black series a trusted choice for critical data and continuous use.
- Justifiable Value for Performance: While often priced higher than some alternatives, many buyers find the performance, reliability, and extended warranty of the WD Black drives to be a worthwhile investment.
- Responsive Customer Support: In cases of drive issues, Western Digital's customer service has been noted by some owners for being helpful, efficient, and sometimes providing prepaid shipping labels or even upgraded replacement drives.
The Bad
- Significant Noise Levels: A prevalent complaint across various capacities is the audible noise the drive produces, including whining, grinding, clicking, or rattling sounds during operation, which can be particularly disruptive in quiet PC builds.
- Inconsistent Packaging and Arrival Condition: Several owners reported inadequate or damaged packaging upon arrival, and some received drives that were either dead on arrival or showed signs of prior use, raising concerns about quality control.
- Setup and Physical Compatibility Hurdles: Some users encountered initial setup challenges, such as drives not being recognized without manual formatting, or physical issues like missing SATA locking tabs and incompatible screw threads for mounting.
The Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) Verdict
This Seagate Skyhawk 2TB drive is a solid option for those seeking an easy-to-install and highly compatible storage solution for their video surveillance systems, offering good capacity for the price. However, potential buyers should be aware of reported reliability concerns and a less-than-ideal warranty experience if issues arise.
Read the full Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) consensus →The WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB) Verdict
For users prioritizing high performance and long-term reliability in an internal hard drive, the WD Black series is a solid choice, especially for demanding applications like gaming and video editing. However, be prepared for potentially significant operational noise, and ensure you're comfortable with basic drive formatting and troubleshooting during installation.
Read the full WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB) consensus →
The Bottom Line
Our pick: Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) · 6.8/10
It's close. The Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) edges it, 6.8/10 to 6.6/10, on the strength of Noise & Heat and Value per TB.
Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
$117.56
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB)
$450.51
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
ORA Metrics may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you.
More head-to-heads:
Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs WD Blue PC Internal HDD (1TB-12TB)Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs Seagate IronWolf 2TB NAS Hard Drive (ST2000VN003)Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD (1TB-12TB)WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB) vs WD Purple 8TB Surveillance HDD (WD84PURZ)WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB) vs WD Red Pro NAS Internal Hard Drive (2TB-26TB)WD Black Performance Internal HDD (1TB-10TB) vs WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD (1TB-12TB)
All Internal Hard Drives rankings →
How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →