Dell 1TB 7200RPM SATA-3GBPS 3.5-Inch With Tray For Poweredge Server 342-0773 HDD.

Benefits of 7200RPM Drives in Server Environments

In data centers and enterprise computing, rotational speed is a critical metric for hard drive performance. At 7200 RPM, the Dell 342-0773 delivers a solid balance of performance and power consumption. It is faster than standard 5400 RPM desktop drives, allowing for quicker data retrieval and better performance in environments where read/write cycles occur frequently.

Energy Efficiency and Noise Reduction

The Dell 342-0773 operates within optimal thermal envelopes, helping reduce server room cooling requirements. Its acoustic output is minimized through dynamic balancing technologies, making it ideal for use in medium-density server racks.

SATA 3Gbps Interface – Legacy-Friendly Storage

This drive features the SATA II (3.0Gbps) interface, ensuring backward compatibility with older servers and mid-generation storage controllers. Though SATA III is now mainstream, SATA II remains popular in systems where budget-conscious and non-bandwidth-intensive storage is needed.

Advantages of SATA II in the Data Center

• Perfect for archival and backup data
• Compatible with legacy Dell PowerEdge server models
• Lower power consumption compared to high-speed SAS or NVMe

Integration with RAID Arrays

Dell 342-0773 drives can be seamlessly integrated into RAID arrays, providing data redundancy and increased fault tolerance. The 1TB capacity makes them suitable for RAID 5 or RAID 10 setups where balance between performance and data protection is critical.

Form Factor and Hot-Swap Capability

Featuring a 3.5-inch form factor and factory-installed Dell hot-swap tray, this HDD is designed for seamless deployment. The tray enables quick replacements without shutting down the server—a key advantage in uptime-critical enterprise environments.

Tray Compatibility and Tool-less Installation

The pre-installed tray ensures compatibility with a wide range of Dell PowerEdge models, allowing administrators to:

• Reduce installation time
• Replace drives without specialized tools
• Ensure proper airflow in server bays

Dell PowerEdge Server Compatibility

The Dell 342-0773 HDD is compatible with a wide array of Dell PowerEdge servers, especially mid-generation models using SATA II interfaces. Ideal for T-series and R-series servers, it serves as an excellent replacement or expansion unit for storage-intensive applications.

Compatible Models Include:

• Dell PowerEdge R210 / R310 / R410 / R510
• Dell PowerEdge T310 / T410 / T610
• Custom NAS or archival server configurations using Dell chassis

Use Cases for Dell 342-0773 in Enterprise Settings

This hard drive is engineered for moderate-to-heavy use cases within a secure IT infrastructure. Common deployment scenarios include:

Data Backup and Archival

With its 1TB capacity, this drive is ideal for long-term storage of backups, compliance records, and large file archives. Its rotational reliability and SATA interface ensure efficient data transfer over a 3Gbps bus.

Virtualization Host Storage

Many organizations use Dell 342-0773 drives as part of VMware ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V hosts for storing guest OS files and snapshots where SSD performance is unnecessary.

Cold Storage Arrays

The drive’s durability makes it perfect for cold storage setups where high capacity and reliability matter more than speed. These include file retention systems and digital media libraries.

Reliability and MTBF Ratings

The Dell 342-0773 1TB HDD boasts high reliability thanks to enterprise-class components. While exact MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) numbers vary by manufacturer batch, the drive typically operates reliably for over 1 million hours, making it suitable for 24/7 enterprise environments.

SMART Support and Predictive Failure Monitoring

This drive supports SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) to alert administrators of impending failure conditions, helping prevent data loss.

Advantages of Choosing OEM Dell Drives

OEM drives like the Dell 342-0773 are engineered to strict specifications and quality-tested to ensure compatibility and performance. These drives come with pre-fitted firmware that communicates seamlessly with Dell RAID controllers and lifecycle management tools.

Benefits Over Third-Party Drives

• Enhanced compatibility with iDRAC and OpenManage tools
• Validated against Dell’s quality standards
• Longer lifespan due to certified firmware configurations

Environmental Specifications and Operating Conditions

The Dell 342-0773 is built to operate in demanding data center conditions. With a non-operating shock rating of up to 350 G and an operating temperature range between 5°C to 55°C, it is rugged enough for challenging thermal and vibration profiles.

Operating Parameters

• Power consumption: 6.8W (read/write)
• Acoustic output: 29 dB (idle), 34 dB (seek)
• Vibration tolerance: 0.67G (operating), 1.04G (non-operating)

Upgrade Paths and Scalability

The 342-0773 drive can act as a stepping stone toward scalable infrastructure. Pairing multiple units in RAID configurations or JBOD enclosures allows data center administrators to scale storage efficiently without drastically increasing power costs.

Future-Proofing Your Infrastructure

While newer interfaces like SATA III and NVMe are growing in adoption, SATA II remains relevant for non-latency-critical storage tasks. With large-scale deployments of Dell PowerEdge servers still using SATA II backplanes, the 342-0773 ensures continued compatibility and affordability.