Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD Sata 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST1000DM003)
Bottom line: The Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD Sata 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare ($67.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:16 UTC): 7200 RPM spindle speed, faster than 5400 RPM budget desktop drives; main trade-off: bare drive: no SATA cable, mounting screws, or retail packaging.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 7200 RPM spindle speed, faster than 5400 RPM budget desktop drives
- ✓ SATA 6Gb/s interface matches modern desktop motherboard ports
- ✓ 64MB cache buffers repeated reads during backups and media scrubbing
- ✓ 1TB holds roughly 200,000 photos or 250,000 songs per Seagate
Cons
- ✗ Bare drive: no SATA cable, mounting screws, or retail packaging
- ✗ Listed as an old model, so newer Barracuda revisions have superseded it
- ✗ Standard 3.5-inch form factor will not fit laptops or slim cases
- ✗ Mechanical platters are slower to boot from than any SATA SSD
Manufacturer description
Product DescriptionSeagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200RPM SATA3/SATA 6.0 GB/s 64MB Hard Drive (3.5 inch)From the ManufacturerThe Seagate Desktop HDD is the one hard drive for all your desktop applications. One drive for every need, supported by 30 years of trusted performance, reliability and simplicity.
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored (Old Model) Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD Sata 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the PC & gaming hardware category. Seagate's PC & gaming hardware lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for PC & gaming hardware of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Seagate ST1000DM003 fast enough to use as a boot drive?
It will boot Windows, but at 7200 RPM with a 64MB cache it is far slower than a SATA SSD. Most buyers pair it with an SSD boot drive and use this 1TB drive for bulk storage.
Does this drive come with a SATA cable and mounting screws?
No. It is sold as an internal bare drive, so the SATA data cable, power connection, and 3.5-inch bay screws all come from your case or motherboard bundle.
Will it work in my computer?
It uses a standard 3.5-inch form factor and a SATA 6Gb/s connector, which is backward compatible with older SATA ports. You need a free 3.5-inch bay and a SATA power lead from your PSU.
How much can 1TB actually hold?
Seagate rates it at roughly 120 hours of HD video, 200,000 photos, or 250,000 songs. Formatted capacity is lower than the advertised 1TB, as Seagate notes available capacity may vary.
What warranty does this hard drive carry?
Warranty terms vary by seller and by whether the unit ships as OEM bare stock or retail. Check the current product listing and Seagate's support site for coverage on your specific unit.
Key Features
- Ideal for everyday desktop and computing storage
- 1TB capacity stores 120 HD video, or 200,000 photos, or 250,000 songs
- 7200 RPM
- Store data faster with SATA 6GB/s interface
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Full Specifications
| Brand | Seagate |
|---|---|
| Model Name | SEAGATE (DISTY) |
| Read Speed | 600 megabytes_per_second |
| Form Factor | 3.5-inch |
| Model Number | ST1000DM003 |
| Built-In Media | Barracuda® 1TB SATA |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| Item Type Name | Hard Drive |
| Hard-Drive Size | 1 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | ST1000DM003 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Item Part Number | ST1000DM003 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 6 gigabits_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Plastic, Metal |
| Additional Features | Portable |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
Ready to buy?
(Old Model) Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD Sata 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST1000DM003) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
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