Comparing SAS and SATA, Enterprise and Desktop Hard Drives for Server RAID Systems
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This page offers key information to help you understand the differences between the two technologies. As technology rapidly advances, the information on this page may be dated and not comprehensive.
The table below provides system integrators with the key information they need to determine their hard drive requirements.
SAS vs. SATA
Requirement | SAS | SATA | |
Operational Availability | 24 hours/day - 7 days/week | 8 hours/day - 5 days/week | |
Workload | 100% | 10–20% | |
Cost Sensitivity | Moderately sensitive to cost | Sensitive to low cost | |
Performance | Latency and Seek | 5.7 msec @ 15K rpm | 13 msec @ 7200rpm (or smaller) |
Command Queuing and Reordering | Full | Limited | |
Rotational Vibration Tolerance | Up to 21 rads/sec | Up to 5 to 12 rads/sec | |
Typical I/Os per sec/drive | 319 | 77 | |
Duplex Operation | Full | Half | |
Reliability | Bad Sector Recovery | Typical timeout is 7–15 seconds only. | Timeouts are up to 30 seconds. |
Misalignment detection | Dedicated Servo and data path processors | Single combined servo/data path processor or none | |
Vibration Sensors | RV Compensation Feedback Mechanism | No RV Compensation | |
Variable Sector Size | Uses a 528-byte sector and allow the I/O controller | Does not use a variable sector size (locked at 512 bytes) | |
MTBF | 1.2M hours at 45 degrees C | 700K hours at 25 degrees C | |
Internal Data Integrity Checks | End to End | Limited, none in the memory buffer | |
Maximum Operating Temperature | ~60 degrees C | ~40 degrees C | |
Warranty | ~5 years | ~ to 3 years | |
Features | Spindle Motor | Higher RPM Tighter run-out Spindle anchor at both ends | Moderate to lower RPM Lower specification for run-out Spindle anchored at one end |
Media | Full media cert | Lower media specification and density | |
Head Stack Assembly | Structural rigidity Lower inertial design | Lighter weight design Higher inertial design | |
Actuator Mechanics | Larger magnets Air turbulence controls RV sensors and closed loop RV suppression | Smaller magnets No air turbulence compensation No RV sensors or suppression - limited to servo wedge track alignment | |
Electronics | Dual processors (dedicated servo and data path processors) Performance optimization Advanced error handling Advanced firmware algorithms | Single processor No performance optimization Standard error handling Standard Firmware algorithms | |
Customization | FW Code | Extensive | Limited |
Variable Sector Sizes | Yes | No | |
LEDs | Yes | No |
Note |
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Enterprise-class versus Desktop-class Hard Drives (PDF)
Size: 284 KB
Date: April 2016
Revision: 2.0
Note | PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader*. |
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