If you’ve read any of the guides or details about our NAS systems, you’re likely aware of my strong preference for local backups and my reluctance to rely on the cloud for file safety. While local storage does require a higher initial investment, it offers greater flexibility to ensure your work is safe and secure in case anything goes wrong. To do this properly, however, you need drives that are built for the task, as not all hard drives are created equal. This is where the Seagate 24TB IronWolf Pro NAS Hard Drive comes into play. This massive drive is specifically designed for storage systems, and it’s built to last.
It can sometimes be hard to see how one hard drive differs from another, but when it comes to storing your important files, there’s a significant difference between a standard drive you can buy for under $100 and what an IronWolf Pro drive delivers. At its core, the Seagate 24TB IronWolf Pro is specifically designed for Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, catering to the needs of small to medium businesses, creative professionals, and even hardcore data hoarders like myself.
The IronWolf Pro is designed to deliver data quickly while keeping it safe. It operates at a 7200 RPM spindle speed, combined with a generous 512MB cache. This combination results in sustained data transfer rates of up to 285 MB/s, which is impressive for a traditional hard drive. In real-world testing, the drive consistently delivered speeds close to this maximum, making it a reliable workhorse for demanding tasks like 4K video editing or running virtual machines.
“At its core, the Seagate 24TB IronWolf Pro is specifically designed for Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, catering to the needs of small to medium businesses, creative professionals, and even hardcore data hoarders like myself.”
The IronWolf Pro boasts a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 2.5 million hours and a workload rate of 550TB per year. To put that in perspective, you could write and rewrite the entire contents of this drive almost 23 times in a year before hitting that limit. This level of durability is crucial, as the primary reason for paying the extra price for an IronWolf drive is the enhanced safety and reliability it provides. Whether it’s for a home office or central data storage for content creation, this level of protection is essential.
Seagate has also equipped the IronWolf Pro with its AgileArray technology, which includes dual-plane balancing and RAID optimization. This ensures the drive performs well in multi-bay NAS setups, reducing vibration and maintaining performance even when a full array of these drives is in operation. We tested this in our Synology DS923+ NAS system and have been impressed with the performance and reliability so far. The level of noise and vibration has been minimal, which is crucial to ensuring everything plays nice together.
Now, let’s discuss some real-world applications. I had the opportunity to test this drive in a 4-bay Synology NAS, and the results were impressive. File transfers were quick, and even when the system was pushed with multiple 4K video streams and a backup operation running simultaneously, the IronWolf Pro handled it effortlessly. We have used a range of NAS-focused drives over the years, but so far, few match the feature set offered by the IronWolf Pro.
“Seagate has also equipped the IronWolf Pro with its AgileArray technology, which includes dual-plane balancing and RAID optimization”
Beyond the on-the-box specs, I was impressed with how well the drive performed overall, particularly in random read and write-operations. While sequential speeds are important, it’s often the random access performance that can make or break a storage solution’s real-world usability. The IronWolf Pro handled these tasks admirably, maintaining consistent IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) even under heavy load.
Like any high-capacity drive, the IronWolf Pro comes with a hefty price tag, retailing at $649.99 MSRP. While the cost per terabyte is reasonable compared to smaller drives, the initial investment may be a tough pill to swallow for some. Additionally, the drive’s power consumption is on the higher side, which is something to consider if you’re running a home NAS and are conscious about energy bills.
If you’ve never used a NAS-based drive before, be prepared for a noisier experience compared to a desktop option. While not a deal-breaker, the IronWolf Pro is noticeably louder than some of its competitors, especially during intense read/write operations. If you plan to keep your NAS in a quiet home office, this is something to keep in mind.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Seagate 24TB Ironwolf Pro NAS Hard Drive is a solid choice for those needing massive, reliable storage. Its combination of high capacity, strong performance, and robust reliability features make it a compelling option for businesses, creative professionals, and enthusiasts alike. While Google Drive is an easy solution, when you want your files safe, an onside NAS with a drive like the Seagate 24TB Ironwolf Pro ensures you have your data when you need it most.
If storage capacity is your primary concern and you’re willing to invest in a premium solution, the Seagate 24TB IronWolf Pro is definitely worth considering. Content creation demands significant space, and a drive like this, paired with a solid NAS solution, ensures you can keep your files safe while maintaining easy access when needed. While it may not be the perfect solution for everyone, those who require its capabilities will find it to be a valuable addition to their storage arsenal.