Best IDE Hard Drives of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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IDE hard drives are a type of internal storage device that were commonly used in desktop computers before the introduction of SATA drives. These hard drives connect to the motherboard using an IDE cable and are available in various storage capacities. While they may not be as fast as newer SATA drives, IDE hard drives can still be a cost-effective option for upgrading or repairing older computers. Additionally, some users may prefer the simplicity and reliability of IDE technology over newer, more complex storage solutions.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Samsung HM160HC 160GB 2.5" Hard Drive IDE 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM Cover #TOP 1
Samsung HM160HC 160GB 2.5" Hard Drive IDE 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Toshiba MK8025GAS 80GB IDE Hard Drive Cover #TOP 2
Toshiba MK8025GAS 80GB IDE Hard Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.8
DCL VALUE IDE 80GB 2.5 Inch Hard Drive Cover #TOP 3
DCL VALUE IDE 80GB 2.5 Inch Hard Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 IDE Hard Drives

#TOP 1

Samsung HM160HC 160GB 2.5" Hard Drive IDE 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM

HM160HC
Grey
Samsung HM160HC 160GB 2.5" Hard Drive IDE 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM Cover
Samsung HM160HC 160GB 2.5" Hard Drive IDE 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM

Features
Type: Hard Drive - Internal
Product Description: Samsung SpinPoint M HM080HC - Hard Drive - 80 GB - ATA-100
Weight: 100 G
Spindle Speed: 5400 Rpm
Microsoft Certification: Works With Windows Vista
Interface Type: ATA-100
Form Factor: 2.5" X 1/8H
Dimensions (WxDxH): 10 Cm X 7 Cm X 9.4 Mm
Data Transfer Rate: 100 MBps
Capacity: 160 GB
Buffer Size: 8 MB
Average Seek Time: 12 Ms
#TOP 2

Toshiba MK8025GAS 80GB IDE Hard Drive

MK8025GAS
Toshiba MK8025GAS 80GB IDE Hard Drive Cover
Toshiba MK8025GAS, B0/KA024A, HDD2188 B ZE01 T, 80GB IDE 2.5 Hard Drive

The Toshiba MK8025GAS Hard Drive offers a range of features tailored for your storage needs. It comes with a detailed specification list, ensuring you have all the technical information at your fingertips. For those interested in performing a PCB swap, the product requires a ROM transfer, which is essential for compatibility. Additionally, this hard drive is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind with your purchase. The inclusion of 30 days of technical support means you can get assistance if you encounter any issues.

What We Like
Compact 2.5-inch size
80GB storage capacity
Detailed specifications available
Useful for PCB swaps
#TOP 3

DCL VALUE IDE 80GB 2.5 Inch Hard Drive

Dioweny
Generic
DCL VALUE IDE 80GB 2.5 Inch Hard Drive Cover
DCL VALUE IDE/PATA 2.5 Inch Hard Drive 80 GB

The DCL VALUE IDE Hard Drive offers a substantial 80GB of storage, perfect for users needing extra space for files and applications. With a 5400RPM rotational speed, it ensures decent performance for everyday computing tasks. Its 8MB cache helps improve data access times, providing a smoother experience when retrieving information. The IDE connection is essential for compatibility with older laptops, making it a great choice for those looking to upgrade or replace their current hard drive.

What We Like
Ample 80GB storage space
Good performance with 5400RPM
8MB cache for faster access
IDE connection for older laptops

Western Digital Scorpio Blue 160GB HDD

WD1600BEVT
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 160GB HDD Cover
Wd 2.5 Scorpio 160gb 5400rpm 8mb SATA 12ms|western Digital|78|hard-drives|2.5 Inch|hdd|2.5|ide|0.05|WD1600BEVT|255714|western...

The WD Scorpio Blue HDD is designed for users who require ample storage for their operating systems. With its quiet operation, you can enjoy a serene computing experience. The ShockGuard technology safeguards the drive's mechanics, protecting your data from accidental bumps. Its 5400 RPM spin speed and 12 ms access time ensure efficient performance, while the 3 Gb/s SATA interface speed allows for quick data transfer, enhancing your overall productivity.

What We Like
Ample storage capacity
Quiet operation
Shock protection
Efficient performance
Fast data transfer speeds
#TOP 5

Toshiba 80GB IDE 2.5 Hard Drive

MK8032GAX
Toshiba 80GB IDE 2.5 Hard Drive Cover
Toshiba MK8032GAX, HDD2D15 C ZL01 T, 80GB IDE 2.5 Hard Drive

The Toshiba 80GB Hard Drive offers reliable storage for your data needs. It features a PCB swap option, which allows you to transfer the ROM, ensuring easy upgrades or replacements. This flexibility is particularly beneficial if you need to replace a faulty drive without losing your data. Additionally, with its compact 2.5-inch size, it is perfect for laptops and portable devices, providing convenience for users on the go. You can expect a dependable performance from this hard drive, making it an excellent choice for everyday use.

What We Like
Compact size for portability
Easy PCB swap option
Reliable storage performance
Ideal for laptops

Generic 1TB 3.5" SATA Internal Hard Drive

1TB 3.5 DESKTOP
Generic 1TB 3.5" SATA Internal Hard Drive Cover
Generic 1TB 3.5" SATA 5400rpm Desktop Internal Hard Disk Drive (brand of the hard drive may be of any kind)

The Generic 1TB Hard Drive offers a spacious 1 TB of storage, perfect for keeping your computer's files organised. With its 3.5-inch size, it fits well within most desktop systems, ensuring compatibility. Operating at 5400rpm, it provides reliable performance for everyday tasks, allowing you to access your data quickly. This hard drive is a great choice for those looking to expand their storage capacity without breaking the bank, offering convenience and efficiency for your personal or professional needs.

What We Like
Large 1TB storage capacity
Compatible with desktop systems
Reliable 5400rpm performance
Cost-effective solution
#TOP 7

Western Digital 300Gb IDE Hard Disk Drive

WD3000JBRTL
Western Digital 300Gb IDE Hard Disk Drive Cover
Western Digital 300Gb IDE Hard Disk Drive WD3000JB

The Western Digital 300Gb Drive offers impressive features for your storage needs. With an EIDE interface, you can easily connect it to your system, ensuring compatibility with older hardware. The drive operates at a speed of 7,200rpm, which means quicker data access and improved performance for your applications. An average seek time of 8.9ms allows for efficient file retrieval, enhancing your overall productivity. Additionally, the 8Mb buffer helps in managing data transfer, ensuring smooth operation during intensive tasks.

What We Like
High storage capacity
Fast data access speed
Efficient file retrieval
Compatible with older systems
#TOP 8

Western Digital 250GB Caviar Blue Hard Drive

WD2500AAJB
Blue
250 Go
Western Digital 250GB Caviar Blue Hard Drive Cover
WD 250GB Ide 7200 Rpm 8MB Internal Hard Drive- Caviar Blue

The WD Caviar Blue Hard Drive offers impressive features to enhance your computing experience. With its 'WhisperDrive' technology, you will enjoy a quieter operation, allowing you to focus on your tasks without distraction. The drive also utilises NoTouch ramp load technology, which means the recording head never touches the disk, significantly reducing wear and extending the drive's lifespan. Additionally, it keeps cool during operation, which enhances reliability and prevents overheating. Finally, the IntelliSeek feature optimises seek speeds, lowering both power consumption and noise.

What We Like
Quiet operation
Durable design
Enhanced reliability
Lower power consumption
#TOP 9

Generic 500GB IDE Hard Disk Drive

HDD-500GBPATA-G
Generic 500GB IDE Hard Disk Drive Cover
Generic Hard Disk Drive 500GB IDE - 1 Year Warranty

The Generic 500GB Hard Disk is a reliable storage solution for your computer. With a capacity of 500GB, you can store a vast amount of data, including documents, photos, and videos. Operating at 7200rpm, it ensures quick access to your files, enhancing your overall computing experience. The IDE ATA 133 interface allows for smooth data transfer, making it easy to connect to older systems. With a cache of up to 16MB, you can enjoy faster performance during heavy tasks, saving you time and boosting efficiency.

What We Like
Large storage capacity
Fast data access speed
Easy to connect
Enhanced performance

Toshiba 80GB 2.5 Inch Laptop Hard Drive

MK8025GAS
Toshiba 80GB 2.5 Inch Laptop Hard Drive Cover
Toshiba Hard Drive 80GB IDE ATA 2.5 Inches MK8025GAS 4200RPM 8MB Laptop HDD2A02

The Toshiba 80GB Hard Drive is a compact 2.5-inch model designed for laptops. With a speed of 4200 RPM, it ensures efficient performance, allowing you to access your files quickly. The 8MB cache helps improve data retrieval speeds, enhancing your overall computing experience. This hard drive offers 80GB of storage, providing ample space for your documents, photos, and applications. By choosing this drive, you can ensure your laptop runs smoothly and has enough capacity for your everyday needs.

What We Like
Compact 2.5-inch size
Efficient 4200 RPM speed
Ample 80GB storage
8MB cache for faster access
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an IDE hard drive?

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) is an electronic interface standard that defines the connection between a bus on a computer's motherboard and the computer's disk storage devices.

2. Are IDE hard drives still made?

Seagate plans to cease manufacturing IDE hard drives by the end of the year and will focus exclusively on SATA-based products.

3. What is the difference between SATA and IDE hard drives?

IDE is an interface standard for connection of storages devices such as Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Solid State Drives (SSD) and CD/DVD drives to the computer. SATA is a computer bus interface or standard hardware interface which connects connecting hard drives, Solid State Drives (SSD) and CD/DVD drives to the computer.

4. What is the difference between an ssd hard drive and an IDE hard drive?

An HDD is a traditional storage device that uses mechanical spinning platters and a moving read/write head to access data. SSDs are newer, faster drives that store data on instantly accessible memory chips.

Editor's Notes

During our ide hard drive research, we found 29 ide hard drive products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,011 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ide hard drives list. We found that most customers choose ide hard drives with an average price of £32.61.

The ide hard drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ide hard drives, including Samsung, Toshiba, Dioweny, Western Digital. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 10 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.