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(OLD MODEL) Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive (STBV5000100)
Seagate

Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive (STBV5000100)

Bottom line: The Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive ($149.51 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:15 UTC): 5TB capacity consolidates photo, video, and game libraries onto a single desktop drive; main trade-off: labeled OLD MODEL - superseded by newer Seagate Expansion desktop revisions. Another in-stock pick with the same 5TB hard drive: the Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD, $219.99 on Amazon as of (price may vary).

$149.51

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Buy on Amazon — $149.51 Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 5TB capacity consolidates photo, video, and game libraries onto a single desktop drive
  • ✓ Plug-in setup: power adapter plus USB cable, no install software or drivers required
  • ✓ USB 3.0 interface for faster file transfers than USB 2.0 external drives
  • ✓ Backward compatible with USB 2.0, so older desktops and laptops still connect

Cons

  • ✗ Labeled OLD MODEL - superseded by newer Seagate Expansion desktop revisions
  • ✗ Requires an AC power adapter, so it is not portable or bus-powered like 2.5-inch drives
  • ✗ Usable capacity is under 5TB after formatting; Seagate notes available storage varies
  • ✗ No bundled backup or encryption software mentioned in the product listing

Manufacturer description

The Seagate Expansion STBV5000100 is a 5TB USB 3.0 desktop external hard drive built for people whose photo libraries, game installs, and video projects have outgrown their internal storage. Setup takes two cables: plug in the power adapter, connect the USB cable, and the drive mounts without installation software or configuration steps. USB 3.0 handles the file transfers, and the drive stays backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports if you are connecting an older desktop or laptop. At 5TB, this Seagate Expansion desktop drive gives you room to consolidate scattered files into one location or…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Seagate's external storage 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 external storage 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

How much storage does the Seagate Expansion STBV5000100 actually have?

It is a 5TB desktop drive. Seagate notes that available storage capacity may vary, so the usable space after formatting will be somewhat below the 5TB label.

Does this drive work with USB 2.0 ports?

Yes. The Seagate Expansion is USB 3.0 but compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, so it connects to older machines at USB 2.0 transfer speeds.

Do I need to install software to use it?

No. Setup is plugging in the power adapter and the USB cable, and the drive is ready to use - no installation or configuration software is listed.

Does it need its own power supply?

Yes. This is a desktop-class Seagate Expansion drive that ships with a power adapter, so it requires a wall outlet in addition to the USB connection.

Is the STBV5000100 still worth buying if it is an old model?

The listing is flagged OLD MODEL. Check the current Seagate Expansion listing to compare warranty terms and revision before ordering.

Key Features

  • Easy and simple to use - simply plug in the power adapter and USB cable
  • Fast file transfers with USB 3.0
  • Compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0
  • The available storage capacity may vary.

Full Specifications

BrandSeagate
ColorBlack
Model NameExpansion
Form Factor3.5-inch
Media Speed1
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberSTBV5000100
Built-In MediaSeagate Expansion Desktop Drive USB 3.0 5TB USB3.0
Hard-Drive Size5 TB
Mfr Part NumberSTBV5000100
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware PlatformPC
Installation TypePlug In
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate5 Gigabits Per Second
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 3.0
Warranty Description1 year limited
Customer Package TypeStandard Packaging

Ready to buy?

(OLD MODEL) Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive (STBV5000100) 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.

Buy on Amazon — $149.51

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

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(OLD MODEL) Seagate Expansion USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive (STBV5000100)
$149.51
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