Is the BarraCuda 4TB good as a main boot drive?

No. It works, but a SATA or NVMe SSD boots and loads far faster. Use the BarraCuda as a secondary storage drive.

Is it fast enough for PC games?

Yes for storing and playing most games, though load times are longer than on an SSD. Put your most-played titles on an SSD.

Can I use it in a NAS?

It is a desktop drive, not NAS-rated. For always-on multi-drive NAS use, Seagate's IronWolf line is the intended choice.

What is the 256MB cache for?

It buffers frequently accessed data to speed up bursts of reads and writes. It does not make the drive as fast as an SSD.

Does it work with any desktop?

It uses a standard SATA 6Gb/s connection and 3.5-inch bay, so it fits most desktop PCs and enclosures.

What comes in the box?

The drive itself. SATA cables and mounting screws are usually not included and come with your motherboard or case.

Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive

Best price now

$159.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive

Best price now

$159.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $159.99 at Walmart on Nov 9.

Our take on the Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive

The Seagate BarraCuda 4TB is a 3.5-inch desktop hard drive with a SATA 6Gb/s interface and 256MB cache, built for bulk storage rather than speed. It spins at 5400 RPM, so it trails 7200 RPM drives and SSDs in transfer rates but runs quieter and cooler. It suits desktop builds, media libraries, backups and NAS-style bulk storage where capacity matters more than speed. Buyers rate it well for everyday storage, though some report failures and seek noise; for a boot drive or heavy workloads, an SSD or a NAS-rated drive is the better pick.

Best forDesktop bulk storage and media librariesBackup and archive drivesBudget builds needing high capacitySecondary drive in a gaming or work PC

Pros

4TB capacity on a single 3.5-inch drive
256MB cache helps burst reads and writes
SATA 6Gb/s works with virtually any desktop board
5400 RPM spin keeps it quiet and cool
Well established, widely supported drive line

Cons

5400 RPM is slower than 7200 RPM desktop drives
Not rated for continuous NAS or surveillance use
Some owners report early failures
Seek noise can be audible in quiet rooms

Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by Newegg Inc.Returns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$159.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
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What reviewers say

4.5 / 562 ratings

Owners rate the BarraCuda 4TB highly as a cheap way to add a lot of storage. Most use it as a secondary drive for games, media and backups and find it quiet and reliable; a minority report drives failing within months.

What people mention

CapacityPraisedOwners like getting 4TB in one drive for games, media and backups.
SpeedMixedFine for storage, but the 5400 RPM spin is slower than 7200 RPM drives.
ReliabilityMixedMost drives run for years, but some owners report early failures.
NoiseMixedGenerally quiet, though some hear clicking or seek noise.
SetupPraisedStandard SATA connection makes installation straightforward.

About the Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive

The Seagate BarraCuda is a 3.5-inch internal hard drive with 4TB of storage.

Seagate has more than 20 years of experience behind the BarraCuda line. The line is available in capacities up to 8TB.

Capacity: 4TB
Form factor: 3.5-inch internal
Color: Black
Brand: Seagate

Specifications

size: 4TBSource
color: BlackSource

Questions and answers

Is the BarraCuda 4TB good as a main boot drive?: No. It works, but a SATA or NVMe SSD boots and loads far faster. Use the BarraCuda as a secondary storage drive.
Is it fast enough for PC games?: Yes for storing and playing most games, though load times are longer than on an SSD. Put your most-played titles on an SSD.
Can I use it in a NAS?: It is a desktop drive, not NAS-rated. For always-on multi-drive NAS use, Seagate's IronWolf line is the intended choice.
What is the 256MB cache for?: It buffers frequently accessed data to speed up bursts of reads and writes. It does not make the drive as fast as an SSD.
Does it work with any desktop?: It uses a standard SATA 6Gb/s connection and 3.5-inch bay, so it fits most desktop PCs and enclosures.
What comes in the box?: The drive itself. SATA cables and mounting screws are usually not included and come with your motherboard or case.
Where is the Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive cheapest?: At Walmart, for $159.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive?: Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 62 ratings.