# Introducing the Ultrastar DC HC690 and DC HC590: Western Digital’s Newest High-Capacity Data Center Solutions
In the realm of data storage, the need for increased capacity and enhanced performance continues to grow. While solid-state drives (SSDs) have become more accessible financially and are now a practical choice for numerous users, they still remain excessively costly for those requiring substantial data storage. For instance, an 8TB M.2 SSD might retail for about $799, in contrast to a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) of a comparable size, tailored for network-attached storage (NAS), which can be acquired for as little as $179.
In enterprise and data center settings where enormous data volumes must be managed, HDDs remain the preferred option due to their affordability and expansive storage capabilities. Western Digital (WD), a prominent contender in the storage sector, has introduced two new high-capacity drives specifically targeting the data center market: the **Ultrastar DC HC690** and **DC HC590**.
## Ultrastar DC HC690: Advancing Areal Density Limits
The **Ultrastar DC HC690** is Western Digital’s newest product crafted exclusively for data centers. This drive leverages **Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)** technology, which permits greater data density by overlapping data tracks on the disk. The HC690 is also integrated with **energy-assisted Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (ePMR)**, a technology that enhances areal density by utilizing energy to facilitate the writing process.
The HC690 boasts a revolutionary **11-platter design**, providing one additional platter compared to most conventional HDDs. This enables it to reach a storage capacity of up to **32TB**, positioning it as one of the largest HDDs on the market. The drive comes in both **SATA** (6Gb/s) and **SAS** (12Gb/s) configurations, spinning at **7200 RPM**, and achieving sustained transfer speeds of up to **267MB/s**.
Although the areal density of the HC690 (up to **2.91TB per platter**) is marginally below that of Seagate’s Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology, which can reach as high as 3TB per platter, the HC690 still presents a considerable upgrade over standard NAS drives. This positions it as an excellent option for data centers seeking to optimize storage capacity without sacrificing performance.
### Notable Features of the Ultrastar DC HC690:
– **Capacity**: Offered in **30TB** and **32TB** versions.
– **Technology**: Employs **SMR** and **ePMR** for augmented areal density.
– **Platter Design**: Incorporates an **11-platter** layout.
– **Interface**: Available as **SATA** (6Gb/s) and **SAS** (12Gb/s).
– **Performance**: Operates at **7200 RPM** with sustained transfer speeds of up to **267MB/s**.
## Ultrastar DC HC590: Traditional Magnetic Recording for Optimal Performance
For users who favor **Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR)** instead of SMR, Western Digital has also rolled out the **Ultrastar DC HC590**. This drive is offered in **24TB** and **26TB** capacities and, like the HC690, incorporates **ePMR** technology to improve areal density. The HC590 is crafted for data centers requiring high-performance storage solutions without the potential challenges posed by SMR.
The HC590 is also designed with an **11-platter configuration**, akin to the HC690, but it employs CMR to guarantee consistent performance across various workloads. This makes it suitable for applications that necessitate frequent read and write cycles, such as databases and virtualized settings.
### Key Features of the Ultrastar DC HC590:
– **Capacity**: Available in **24TB** and **26TB** variants.
– **Technology**: Utilizes **CMR** and **ePMR** for enhanced performance and stability.
– **Platter Design**: Boasts an **11-platter** architecture.
– **Interface**: Comes in **SATA** (6Gb/s) and **SAS** (12Gb/s).
– **Performance**: Spins at **7200 RPM** with sustained transfer speeds comparable to the HC690.
## Data Center Orientation: Will These Drives Be Accessible to Consumers?
Both the Ultrastar DC HC690 and DC HC590 are primarily designed for data center environments, where high capacity and reliability are critical. Consequently, it is improbable that these drives will become available through standard retail avenues. Nonetheless, Western Digital is also launching a **26TB Gold HDD**, which can be purchased directly from their website. The Gold HDD employs CMR, features an **11-platter design**, and provides **2.36TB**
