How much free space to leave on a 1 or 2 TB hard drive?

rpf · « **on:** 19 Jun 2011, 06:01 pm »

I've read that one should leave some free space on a hard disk drive to insure optimal functioning. I've never gotten close to filling up a drive before but now I'm approaching the limit of a 2 TB drive and need to know when to stop.

Anyone know?

TIA,
Rob

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Jun 2011, 06:54 pm »

Regardless of the drive size, 15-25% availability is a good idea.

rpf · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Jun 2011, 07:21 pm »

Hmm. That much, huh. I was thinking 5-10% was adequate. Time for a new drive.

wilsynet · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jun 2011, 08:37 pm »

5-10% of a 2TB drive would be 100-200 GB, which would in my opinion be plenty. But it really does depend what you're doing with it. If data isn't constantly changing, you're not moving a lot of data around, and you're just adding stuff incrementally to it, you're OK.

I'd probably buy a new drive myself right now, but it isn't critical. If you waited a couple of months, nothing bad would happen.