How hot should a hard disk get?

[themaidenmaniac]

Well guys... just opened my comp up, and touched the hard disks to find their pretty much flaming hot lol!

Is this the norm?

[pak000]

one my old computer it was getting pretty damn hot, didn't have any kind of fans. The harddrive lasted for 4 years or so and still goes, however I'm pretty sure it has cut down its lifetime. I have since rebuilt my computer, got a new case with a nice fan blowing cool air directly over the drive, much cooler now

[Dark Horse]

Measure the drive temps with something like mbm5 or speedfan and it will give you a better idea.

Lower is better. Above 50c is pretty bad, somewhere between 30-40c is pretty standard depending on the cooling. It doesn't hurt to have a fan blowing over a hdd.

[KowShak]

As a rule of thumb, if its too hot for you to put your hand on comfortably and hold it there (i.e. not just touch it) for a few seconds its too hot.

[Butcher]

50-55C is the normal quoted max. But HDDs last longer if you keep them cooler. Below 40C is a good idea.