Life span of internal hdd if used infrequently

[tantrik]

Processor: Intel Core i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40 GHz
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E
Memory: Transcend 2GB DIMM DDR3 1333 MHz (Channel B)
Undefined 2GB DIMM DDR3 1600 MHz (Channel A)
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit

Dear friends,

I am planning to buy 2 hard disks: one 250 GB WD and one 320 GB Seagate. The 250 GB WD hdd will have windows 7 OS installed and the 320 GB Seagate will be for backup only. I will be using the 320 GB hdd only to copy, paste and store files from the 250 GB hdd in case the 250 GB hdd crashes even though the 320 GB hdd might first crash out of rare possibility.

Now I have two options: (I) install both the hard disks inside the cpu and (ii) install only the 250 GB hdd in the cpu and use the 320 GB hdd as an external hdd with an enclosure. I want to decrease the chance of 320 GB hdd failure within a short duration of time and make it work as long as as possible. Which option will reduce the chance of the 320 GB hdd failure in a short time?

Few years back I used only a 160 GB seagate internal hdd which lasted for nearly 3 years and 8 months. If I use the 320 GB hdd internally only for backup (no OS installed, no heavy use etc) will it last longer? Does an internal hdd (for backup only) spin (I.e work) all the time like the one with OS intalled since it is connected with the motherboard and power supply and thereby reduce its life span? Does it spin only when I enter into the hdd for copying and pasting files? Which option will be the best for my requirements?

Thanks in advance.

 

[holdum323]

Here you go!https://www.techspot.com/community/topics/average-lifespan-of-a-hard-drive.51611/

 

[DelJo63]

Good link provided above. I still have an operational 98Se installed ~'99.

All depends upon quality purchased

 

[Montana]

Instead of an internal in an enclosure I'd suggest getting a USB external drive. You can take the files with you when you replace the computer and enclosures don't seem to have a lot of longevity. If your budget allows I'd get an SSD for your OS. As far as life of an HDD, I've had them fail in the first year and I have a 486 HP made in 1997 with the original HDD and it still works.