MTBF stands for Mean Time Between Failure. This is basically a meaningless number. If the hardisk fails once you chuck it in the bin, I.E. it won't fail again.

MTTF which is a more relevant measure for hardisk life is Mean Time To Failure. There are a few manufacturers that uses this number instead of MTBF. And as I stated above, it's more relevant.

Regards gtoo

Hi Geir,

I agree completely, if it breaks you bin it. Problem is very few manufacturers work with MTTF ratings. A more interesting development is the recent announcement that many harddisk manufacturers will move to a 1-year warranty for their products, does that mean their MTBF or MTTF if you will, isn't as good as the datasheet says? Or are more people abusing their harddisks than a couple of years ago?

Kind regards,

Hi there!

Modern PC-systems runs at an increasing higher tempereature, so one could argue that the life expectency of the components inside the box gets shorter. Just look at the newer types of processors, where one earlyer had to dissipate maybe 10W of heat, the newer ones ranges upto maybe 80-100W of heat.

A well known manufacturer of processors (Ehem, AMD) had a series of processors that started sending smokesignals if the cooling fin was lifted of the processor.

Best Regards gtoo