What kind of hard drives do servers use?

When a server holds important data, choosing the wrong hard drive can mean slow access or evenWhen a server holds important data, choosing the wrong hard drive¹³² can mean slow access or even data loss during a crash.

Servers use both HDDs and SSDs, with modern setups relying more on enterprise-grade SSDs for speed, while HDDs are still common for bulk storage and backups.

Not every hard drive is built for the same job. I look at the server’s main task before picking a drive. If I need fast access and low downtime, I reach for enterprise SSDs. If cost per terabyte and long-term storage matter more, I choose enterprise HDDs. In my work, most new servers use SSDs for the main system and HDDs for backup or bulk storage. Getting the mix right keeps costs low while helping performance.

What type of hard drives do servers use?

The question comes up often: what actually powers the big servers behind major brands and businesses?

Servers use two main types of hard drives: enterprise SSDs, for speed and reliability, and enterprise HDDs, for cost-effective, high-capacity storage.

Servers are not all the same. In my experience, data centers and business networks run a mix of drives.Servers are not all the same. In my experience, data centers and business networks run a mix of drives. SSDs, especially those with NVMe interfaces¹³², power apps needing quick access—like databases or virtual servers.

Servers use both HDDs and SSDs: SSDs for fast data access, databases, and virtual machines; HDDs for archives, backups, and large, less-accessed files.

I see older HDDs still at work in many server racks. They are reliable for backups and bulk data. At the same time, all my new builds for main servers useI see older HDDs¹³² still at work in many server racks. They are reliable for backups and bulk data. At the same time, all my new builds for main servers use SSDs for the OS and hot data

The best hard disk for a server is usually an enterprise NVMe SSD for speed and reliability, or an enterprise SATA HDD for massive, cost-effective storage needs.

Enterprise SSDs shine in demanding tasks—databases, email hosting, virtualization. In my experience, picks like the Samsung PM1733 or Intel DC P4610 handle years of heavy writes. For pure storage, I respect Western Digital Gold or Seagate Exos lines, which run for years in RAID arrays. When I plan a server, my top priority is always endurance, power-loss protection, and warranty support. For a database, I go straight to high-end NVMe SSDs. For backup or archival, I trust enterprise HDDs with at least 2 million hours MTBF. Mixing is best: fast SSDs in front, huge HDDs in back.

I also check for vendor support and drive firmware before making a pick.

Conclusion

Servers use a mix of enterprise SSDs and HDDs, matching each drive to its workload for best performance, reliability, and cost savings.