PricePerGig.com
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Price Per Gigabyte Calculator
Calculate the price per gigabyte for any storage device. Compare different storage options and find the best value for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the RAID calculator work?
The RAID calculator takes into account different RAID configurations and their impact on usable storage space. For example, RAID 1 mirrors data across drives, so you only get 50% of the raw storage capacity. The calculator automatically adjusts the usable capacity based on your selected RAID level and number of drives.
What is filesystem overhead?
Filesystem overhead refers to the space used by the filesystem itself for managing files and directories. Different filesystems (like NTFS, ext4, ZFS) have different overhead requirements. The calculator allows you to account for this overhead as a percentage, which is subtracted from the total usable space.
Why do hard drives show less space than advertised?
Hard drives often show less usable space than advertised due to two main factors: 1) Operating systems display sizes in binary (1GB = 1024MB) while manufacturers use decimal (1GB = 1000MB), and 2) Filesystem overhead reserves some space for system use. Our calculator helps you account for these factors to get accurate usable capacity estimates.
What does Price per Gigabyte mean?
Price per Gigabyte refers to the cost of storing or transmitting one gigabyte of data. It's a way to measure the cost-effectiveness of data storage or data transfer services, allowing consumers to compare prices.
Why is calculating Price per Gigabyte important?
Calculating the Price per Gigabyte is important for consumers and businesses to ensure they are getting the best value for their money. It helps in making informed decisions when purchasing storage devices or choosing data plans.
How much can 1TB hold?
1TB can hold approximately 333,333 MP3 songs, 200,000 5MB photos, 66,667 FLAC audio files, or 1,429 HD movies. It's also equivalent to 118 4K movies, 20 Blu-ray discs, or data from 1 surveillance camera recording continuously for 30 days.
How much can 4TB hold?
4TB can hold approximately 1,333,333 MP3 songs, 800,000 5MB photos, 266,667 FLAC audio files, or 5,714 HD movies. It's also equivalent to 471 4K movies, 80 Blu-ray discs, or data from 4 surveillance cameras recording continuously for 30 days.
How much can 10TB hold?
10TB can hold approximately 3,333,333 MP3 songs, 2,000,000 5MB photos, 666,667 FLAC audio files, or 14,286 HD movies. It's also equivalent to 1,176 4K movies, 200 Blu-ray discs, or data from 10 surveillance cameras recording continuously for 30 days.
How much usable storage does a 1TB drive have?
A 1TB hard drive typically has around 931GB of usable storage after accounting for filesystem overhead and binary/decimal size differences.
How much usable storage does a 4TB drive have?
A 4TB hard drive typically has around 3.725TB of usable storage after accounting for filesystem overhead and binary/decimal size differences.
What is the difference between CMR and SMR drives?
CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) drives are faster and more reliable for random writes compared to SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives, which are slower and less efficient when reusing previously deleted space. SMR drives may be cheaper but can introduce storage inefficiencies in backup use cases.
What type of drives are best for NAS systems?
For NAS systems, CMR drives are generally recommended due to their superior performance and reliability in environments requiring frequent data access. SMR drives should be avoided as they can degrade performance in RAID setups.
What's the difference between SSDs and HDDs?
SSDs (Solid-State Drives) are faster, smaller, and use no moving parts, making them ideal for performance-critical applications. HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) are larger, slower, and cheaper per GB, making them better for bulk storage.
Are external drives slower than internal drives?
External drives are often slower than internal drives due to connection limitations (e.g., USB vs. SATA). However, modern USB-C and Thunderbolt interfaces can deliver speeds comparable to internal drives for SSDs.
What is a hybrid drive?
A hybrid drive combines a traditional HDD with a small amount of SSD storage to improve performance for frequently accessed files while offering a higher storage capacity at a lower cost than full SSDs.
Is a higher capacity drive always more cost-effective?
Not always. While higher-capacity drives often have a lower price per GB, they may have diminishing returns when considering power consumption, reliability, or if the capacity will not be fully utilized.
Why do SSDs cost more per GB than HDDs?
SSDs are more expensive per GB because they use flash memory technology, which is faster, more durable, and has no moving parts compared to the magnetic platters used in HDDs.
How can I reduce my storage costs?
To reduce storage costs, consider buying drives during sales, selecting models with optimal price per GB, and avoiding features you don't need, such as enterprise-grade reliability for personal use.
Are refurbished drives a good way to save money?
Refurbished drives can save money but may have reduced reliability and shorter warranties. They're better suited for non-critical tasks or short-term storage needs.
What is the most cost-effective drive for backups?
For backups, HDDs are generally more cost-effective due to their lower price per GB. Look for reliable brands with good warranties and avoid SMR drives for better performance.
