Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation
Service-Hotline: +49 (0) 9402- 93 8505 0

Refurbished Hard discs


Never miss an offer again!

Get instant information about our latest offers. Sign up for our newsletter today. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time free of charge.

Subscribe to newsletter

We use the Brevo service for sending our newsletters. Subscribing to this, you declare an agreement that your data is given to Brevo. Please notice their privacy policy and GTC.

Buying used server hard drives - a favourable and sustainable decision

Hard Drive

Are you looking for inexpensive hard drives to give your server an HDD upgrade? Why not opt for used hard drives? Many companies - as well as private individuals - already rely on refurbished used devices when choosing their hardware. This not only protects the environment, but also your wallet. Used servers, PCs or notebooks offer considerable price advantages over new hardware - and the same applies to remanufactured hard drives. Unfortunately, there is a persistent myth: used hard drives are supposed to fail faster than new ones. However, we would like to dispel this misconception once and for all. Server hard drives in particular, also known as enterprise hard drives or enterprise HDDs, were specially designed for 24/7 operation and long-term use.

The quality of these HDDs differs significantly from hard drives developed for use in PCs or notebooks. Server hard drives are designed for performance and continuous operation in professional environments and offer exceptional reliability. In addition, all hard drives that we offer you in our hardware shop undergo strict testing processes that guarantee their reliability and fail-safety. You can therefore rest assured that your IT infrastructure will function perfectly, even with used hardware. The myth that used hard drives fail faster than new ones is unfounded - on the contrary: refurbished HDDs actually offer a number of advantages.For example, production errors that can occur with new devices and spare parts can be ruled out, as the hard drives have already been used successfully.And thanks to the favourable prices, anyone who really wants to be on the safe side can easily create a cold spare backup with used hard drives to have a reserve on hand in case of an emergency.

Modern storage solutions: What types of server hard drives are there?

Similar to buying a new server, there are also a few things to consider when selecting hard drives. In addition to the capacity, size and speed, the focus is initially on the ‘type’ of hard drive. Variants include different interfaces and technologies, such as mechanical hard drives or SSDs. Data storage media have evolved considerably in recent years and decades. In the early days of information technology, technologies such as IDE, SCSI or FC (Fibre Channel) dominated the market. You can find more information on the evolution of data storage in our blog post of the same name.

These standards have been replaced by modern options such as SATA hard drives, SAS hard drives, SAS SSDs, SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs. Each of these technologies offers specific advantages - but often the cost factor also plays a decisive role. Mechanical hard drives offer much higher capacities at a lower price than SSDs or NVMe SSDs. However, they are more prone to failure (due to the moving parts) and slightly slower than most state-of-the-art storage solutions.

Hard Drive

There are also advantages and disadvantages when it comes to interfaces: SATA hard drives for servers are cost-efficient and are ideal for applications where large storage capacities are required. SAS hard drives for servers offer higher speeds and reliability, making them the perfect choice for demanding server applications. SSDs, especially NVMe models, offer outstanding performance and are ideal for data-intensive workloads where speed is critical. However, they are very expensive, especially when new.

No matter whether you opt for hard drives from Western Digital, hard drives from Seagate, hard drives from Hitachi or hard drives from Samsung: All manufacturers offer a wide range of options to meet different requirements. You will find an extensive selection of hard drives and SSDs in our online shop for servers and server accessories. This means you can find the right solution for every scenario - as usual, in first-class refurbished quality and at an attractive price.

Buy server hard drives at Serverando.de - your professional for refurbished hardware

We are more than just a hardware retailer, we see ourselves as your trusted refurbished partner. We attach great importance to high-quality products from well-known manufacturers as well as a broad and deep range of products so that you get exactly the components and HDD upgrades you need. Benefit not only from our extensive selection of high-quality server hard drives, but also from our first-class customer service, reliability, expertise and fast shipping.

In our blog you will also find numerous useful tips and tricks, such as a server buying guide for your company, an overview of important server components or information on how servers can be used as virtual machines (VMs).

You can find an overview of our product portfolio of server hard drives here:

Server hard drives (HDDs)
Whether you need hard drives for HPE servers, hard drives for DELL servers, hard drives for Lenovo servers, hard drives for Fujitsu servers or other manufacturers such as Cisco or Supermicro - we are sure to have the right models for you in stock.

SAS HDDs for servers & SATA HDDs for servers & SATA HDDs für Server
Are you looking for hard drives in 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch format? We have both suitable SAS and SATA models in stock for you, which have been specially developed for use in servers. The variety that you can discover in our shop includes standard server hard drives as well as special variants for storage servers or models with special features such as ‘Read Intensive’ (for read-intensive workloads), ‘Write Intensive’ (for write-intensive workloads) or ‘Mixed Use’ (for mixed workloads).

SSDs for servers
In addition to the tried-and-tested SAS and SATA HDDs, we also offer you state-of-the-art storage media such as SAS SSDs, SATA SSDs or NVMe SSDs.

You can easily select the desired model via our online shop or enter the part number (or model number) of the required hard drive in the search field to buy the right server hard drive quickly and conveniently online. If you are not sure whether the selected product is compatible with your server, you can check this in the product description of the respective item. Here we list a large number of devices in which the HDDs ‘fit’. If your server is not listed, you are of course welcome to contact us regarding compatibility - the easiest and quickest way is to use our contact form.

HDD upgrade in the server: Tips for equipping and selecting hard drives

Hard Drive Upgrade

In order to configure the right server sizing - where the choice and capacity of the hard drives play a decisive role in performance - it is important to know what you want to use your server for. You can find a detailed guide to this in our blog post: ‘Server sizing: What configuration do I need for my server?’.

The selection and configuration of the server model and the server components require precise planning in order to ensure optimum performance and efficiency. Factors such as capacity, form factor, speed and price play a decisive role. For example, SAS hard drives are suitable for servers that require high speeds, while SATA hard drives are ideal for high-capacity applications.

Data is often categorised as ‘hot’, ‘warm’ or ‘cold’ - the storage medium should also be based on this:

  • Cold data: Infrequently used or archive data that only needs to be stored for a certain period of time and is of little relevance in day-to-day business. SATA hard drives, for example, are sufficient here.
  • Warm data: Data that is required on a regular basis should be stored on SAS hard drives (at least).
  • Hot data: High-frequency data that is fundamental to business operations and requires fast access times is best backed up on SSDs.

An additional note: It is essential to save all data on backup systems (e.g. in the cloud or on external storage systems) to avoid data loss.

The type of server also plays an important role in the choice of hard drives: A file server requires large storage capacities, which can only be realised with used hard drives in terms of price. Database servers, on the other hand, benefit from high performance, i.e. a generous main memory, as the data packages to be transported tend to be small. To guarantee additional reliability, it makes sense to create a sophisticated RAID array. You can also find suitable RAID controllers in our shop.

In a RAID set, several hard disks of a server are combined to increase data availability, improve performance and ensure additional reliability. There are different RAID levels, each of which offers its own advantages. RAID 1, for example, mirrors the data, providing a high level of resilience, while RAID 5 distributes the data using parity information, which increases storage efficiency while still allowing a degree of redundancy. This makes data storage more efficient and offers great advantages, especially in business-critical environments. We will be happy to advise you on the selection of suitable hard drives and RAID configurations for your server so that your IT infrastructure is optimally set up.

Accessories for servers - more than just inexpensive hard drives

Storage

To ensure that a server not only performs well but can also be optimally configured, it usually requires more than just the ‘main components’ such as hard disks or SSDs, processors and memory modules. Additional accessory components, such as backplanes or drive cages, are required to expand the internal capacity. SAS or SATA controllers also play an important role in order to be able to address the HDDs or SSDs. Backplanes enable easy replacement and efficient management of hard drives, while drive cages ensure secure installation. Such accessories are particularly important for professional use, as they significantly increase the flexibility and longevity of your server infrastructure.

As an ‘all-round IT refurbisher’, we naturally also offer you spare parts such as power supply units, rack mounting rails, riser cards, fans and suitable cables. We also offer a wide range of different HDD frames (also known as HDD trays or caddies), which you can use to give your server a hard drive upgrade. Choosing the right hard drive frame is crucial to ensure the performance, reliability and mechanical stability of the system. High-quality frames minimise vibrations, which extends the service life of the drives. In addition, the correct caddy ensures optimum air circulation to prevent overheating. In addition, special frames offer hot-swap capability for the discs. This means that failed components can be replaced during operation - an indispensable feature in enterprise environments.

With high-quality accessories, you can ensure that your server hard drives function optimally for continuous operation and are protected against physical damage. At the same time, it facilitates the scalability of your IT environment by making it easier to add or replace hard drives. Investing in quality accessories pays off in the long term as it increases the overall performance and reliability of your system.

FAQ on server hard drives - frequently asked questions simply explained

In our FAQ on the subject of ‘Server hard drives’, we would like to provide you with answers to frequently asked questions in a simple and efficient manner. If you have any further questions about our products or our shop in general, you will also find a comprehensive FAQ on our ‘Help’ page. Alternatively, you can of course also contact us directly.

What is a server hard drive?

A server hard drive is a storage medium for the long-term backup of data that has been specially designed for use in servers (i.e. mainframes).

What is the difference between a PC hard drive and a server hard drive?

Server hard drives are more robust and durable than PC hard drives, as they are designed for continuous operation and long-term use.They are also more fail-safe and have additional security features (e.g. RAID compatibility) and can be replaced while the computer is running thanks to the hot-plug frame.These are also referred to as enterprise hard drives (server) and consumer hard drives (PC). In addition to a longer service life, enterprise HDDs have a lower URE (Unrecoverable Read Error Rate) and special firmware that has been optimised for high workloads.

Can I install a server hard drive in a PC?

In principle, it is possible to use a server hard drive in a PC, provided that the PC supports the required interface (e.g. SATA/SAS). However, this is not recommended and can be compared to installing lorry components in a car. Incompatibilities can occur, and due to the higher speed and different construction methods, the discs in the PC can heat up and fail more quickly. As consumer hard drives are often cheaper than server hard drives, this does not offer any advantage either - we therefore advise against it.

How long do server hard drives last?

The service life of a hard disk cannot be generalised or set to a specific period of time, as it depends on the use and maintenance.Suitable HDD frames and optimum air circulation can minimise overheating and vibrations, which can extend the service life.

Are server hard drives designed for continuous operation?

Yes, server hard drives are designed for 24/7 operation. They are characterised by their robustness, reliability, security and longevity to work reliably around the clock.

Which is better: HDDs or SSDs in the server?

The choice between HDDs and SSDs depends on the intended use. Large amounts of data (e.g. archive data) are usually better stored on HDDs as they are more cost-efficient. SSDs are more suitable for frequently required data or important business processes (e.g. databases) as they offer higher speeds. SSDs are the preferred choice for boot discs in particular.

Can used server hard drives be securely erased and reused?

Yes, the refurbished hard drives in our shop have been erased in an audit-proof manner using special erasure software. In addition, they are checked for defective sectors and SMART values so that only flawless hard drives are put back on sale. Our tip: only buy hard drives from experienced refurbishers. Further information on data erasure can be found on our company website.

How do I know if a server hard drive is compatible with my server?

You can usually find the information you need in the manufacturer's data sheets. These indicate which part numbers and HDD models are compatible. If no data sheets are available, you should check the interface type (SATA/SAS/NVMe), the total capacity of the server and the backplane and controller compatibility. An important point: Check whether your server has 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch bays and order suitable HDD frames.

How important is the rotational speed (RPM) for server hard drives?

The rotational speed (RPM) directly influences the read and write speed. Server hard drives with 10,000 or 15,000 RPM offer higher performance, but are louder and generate more heat. SATA hard drives with 7,200 RPM are a balanced solution between performance and energy consumption. SSDs are ideal for workloads that require low latency, as they work independently of RPM.

Which hard drives are suitable for RAID setups?

Enterprise HDDs offer optimised RAID support, as do models designed for NAS systems. Western Digital, for example, offers the ‘WD Red Pro’ model, while Seagate offers the ‘IronWolf Pro’ drives. It is also important that all disks in a RAID array have the same capacity and speed, as well as the same interface type (SAS/SATA).

Do different HDD interfaces have an effect on performance?

Yes, each interface has specific advantages and disadvantages. SATA is cost-efficient and offers solid performance, but with limited bandwidth (6 Gbit/s). SAS HDDs are characterised by high reliability, dual-port capability and performance (up to 12 Gbit/s). SSDs offer quiet operation, low susceptibility to errors and speed, but are more expensive. NVMe SSDs deliver extremely low latency times and high speeds, but are more expensive.

What should I consider in terms of maintenance and data security for HDDs?

Secure and reliable backup strategies such as cloud or off-site backups are essential. This can compensate for data loss. In addition, access controls (physical and logical access) and encryption are important security measures. The hard drives should also be protected from external influences such as moisture, heat and dust in order to extend their service life.