>>106476598

Ok let me take a look. When it comes to Seagate the tendency looks similar. For instance picrelated 6TB Ironwolf is visually reminiscent of SMR Barracuda and has 256mb cache (while the previous Ironwolves had 64mb). Highly likely they're introducing the same pseudo-CMR/Hybrid SMR technology

But I found a few 4TB 5900rpm Ironwolf and Skyhawk HDDs with 64mb cache, they should be safe choices:
ST4000VN008
ST4000VX007

No luck with 6TBs though.

Toshibas seem to be more interesting. I took a look and besides these SMR S300s other choices such as N300/X300 seem to be solid but I'm not sure. Also all Toshibas spin at 7200 so they will be hot regardless. So I'd recommend their best offer - MG series due to 5 year warranty.

Just bear in mind that WD, Seagate and Toshiba work in unison and imitate each other and cut costs similarly.

>>106477843

Nowadays - no. Only by reading forum topics, reviews, watching tests. Manufacturers simply like to torment their customers and treat them like guinea pigs. The choice of consumer level HDDs is shrinking rapidly. I think ordinary air filled 3,5 CMRs will no longer be produced in 5 years or so (just like 2,5 CMRs are no longer a thing). The only remaining choice would be expensive 10TB+ helium drives.

>all my SSD drives lasted 5+ years

Because older flash storage (including flash sticks that could last for years) was more durable and reliable. Old SSDs were SLC and MLC. Modern SSDs are TLC at best, even Samsungs and Crucials. The quality of flash storage has dropped drastically in recent years.

So yeah even SSDs are becoming shit. I guess they're also trying doing it to go after piracy and datahoarders by deliberaly lowering the reliability of storage devices apart from being greedy lazy cunts.