ST18000NM000D Seagate Exos X20 18TB 7.2K RPM SAS-12Gbps 3.5inch HDD

Overview of Seagate ST18000NM000D Exos X20 18TB HDD

The Seagate Exos X20 18TB hard drive is engineered for demanding enterprise environments that require massive capacity, long-term reliability, and consistent throughput. Built for modern data-driven infrastructures, this internal 3.5-inch HDD delivers optimized performance for hyperscale and mission-critical workloads.

General Information

• Brand: Seagate
• Series: Exos X20
• Model Number: ST18000NM000D
• Product Type: Internal Enterprise Hard Disk Drive

Technical Specifications

• Storage Capacity : 18TB
• Enclosure : Internal
• Interface : SAS 12gb/s
• 512e Sector Size (bytes Per Sector) : 512
• 4kn Sector Size (bytes Per Sector) : 4096
• Drive Dimensions : 3.5 Inc

IOPS and Latency

• Random Read (4K, QD16): up to 168 IOPS
• Random Write (4K, QD16): up to 550 IOPS
• Average latency of approximately 4.16 ms

Rotational and Mechanical Performance

• Spindle speed of 7200 RPM for balanced performance
• Designed for continuous 24/7 enterprise operation

Physical Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 147.0 × 101.85 × 26.1 mm
• Approximate weight: 670 g

The Seagate ST18000NM000D Exos X20 18TB Hard Disk Drive

The Seagate ST18000NM000D Exos X20 is a high-capacity enterprise hard disk drive engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern data centers and enterprise storage systems. With an enormous 18TB storage capacity, this 3.5-inch drive delivers a perfect balance of performance, reliability, and efficiency. Built for 24/7 operation, it provides robust data integrity and exceptional endurance for mission-critical workloads.

Storage Capacity and Performance

Massive 18TB Storage for Enterprise Workloads

The Exos X20 18TB offers a colossal 18-terabyte storage capacity, allowing businesses to consolidate storage requirements while minimizing the footprint in server racks. This capacity is ideal for large-scale databases, virtual machine hosting, cloud infrastructure, and high-resolution video storage. Organizations can deploy fewer drives to achieve higher storage volumes, reducing overhead costs and power consumption.

Spindle Speed and Data Throughput

Operating at 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM), the Exos X20 ensures a consistent and reliable data transfer rate suitable for enterprise-class workloads. The combination of high spindle speed and a SAS-12Gbps interface delivers exceptional sequential throughput for both read and write operations. This speed is crucial for applications requiring rapid access to massive datasets, including analytics, virtualization, and backup systems.

Cache Memory and Data Optimization

Equipped with a 256MB multi-segmented cache, the Seagate Exos X20 significantly reduces latency by temporarily storing frequently accessed data. This caching mechanism enhances performance for random read and write operations, making the drive well-suited for demanding transactional environments. By leveraging intelligent caching algorithms, the drive maintains consistent performance even under peak loads.

Advanced Interface and Connectivity

SAS 12Gbps Interface for High-Speed Data Transfers

The Seagate ST18000NM000D utilizes a 12Gbps Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface, which is the standard for enterprise storage environments. The SAS interface offers higher reliability, better error correction, and superior data throughput compared to traditional SATA interfaces. This makes it ideal for critical workloads that demand both speed and integrity.

Compatibility and System Integration

The 3.5-inch form factor ensures seamless integration with enterprise servers, storage arrays, and high-density rack-mounted systems. It supports both 512e and 4Kn sector formats, providing flexibility for various operating systems and file systems. This dual-sector compatibility simplifies upgrades and ensures that organizations can maximize their existing infrastructure investments.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Despite its massive capacity and performance, the Exos X20 is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It employs advanced power management features that reduce energy consumption without compromising performance. Additionally, the drive includes thermal monitoring and advanced airflow management, ensuring stable operation even in densely populated server racks. Efficient thermal design helps prolong the lifespan of the drive while maintaining consistent performance under heavy workloads.

Advanced Technology Features

Multi-Actuator Technology for Increased Performance

Seagate's multi-actuator technology, available on selected Exos X20 drives, enables parallel read and write operations, effectively doubling the I/O performance for specific workloads. This technology is particularly beneficial for applications that require simultaneous access to multiple data streams, such as virtualization, high-performance computing, and cloud-based applications.

Support for 512e and 4Kn Sector Formats

Modern enterprise storage systems require flexibility to handle different sector sizes efficiently. The Exos X20 supports both 512e (emulated) and 4Kn (native) sector formats, allowing integration with older and newer systems alike. This capability ensures compatibility with legacy applications while optimizing performance for next-generation workloads.

Backup and Archival Solutions

The Exos X20 18TB is also ideal for backup, archival, and disaster recovery applications. Its large capacity enables longer retention periods and fewer drives in backup arrays. Additionally, its energy-efficient design reduces operational costs for long-term storage environments, making it a cost-effective solution for enterprises requiring secure, high-capacity backup systems.

Comparison with Other Enterprise Hard Drives

Exos X20 vs Exos X18

Compared to its predecessor, the Exos X18, the Exos X20 offers a 10% increase in storage capacity while maintaining similar power efficiency and reliability. Enhanced caching mechanisms and improved SAS interface performance provide higher sequential throughput and better random access times. Enterprises upgrading from X18 to X20 benefit from increased storage density and future-proofed infrastructure compatibility.

Exos X20 vs Conventional SATA Enterprise Drives

While traditional SATA drives may offer high storage capacities at lower cost, the SAS interface of the Exos X20 ensures superior reliability, data integrity, and I/O performance. SAS drives like the Exos X20 provide better error correction, vibration resistance, and sustained performance under heavy workloads, making them the preferred choice for mission-critical enterprise applications.

Integration with Seagate Storage Solutions

The Exos X20 seamlessly integrates with Seagate’s broader enterprise storage solutions, including Exos E, Nytro SSD caching systems, and hybrid storage arrays. This integration allows enterprises to design storage architectures that combine high-capacity hard drives with high-speed solid-state caches for optimized performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency. Exos X20 to be a strategic asset for long-term enterprise storage planning.