Storage Solutions Can I install 3 TB hard disc or not

[John4321]

This is my system config below and its 6 yrs old. I juz wanted to know if I can install 3 TB internal seagate hard disc on my system or not. If yes then do I have to install more ram also or juz 2 gb is enough. Need your suggestion guys.

Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.110617-0336)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: GA-MA78GM-S2H
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 1790MB RAM

 

[varkey]

Do you want to use it as a boot drive or as an additional storage drive? If you just want it as a secondary storage drive, I don't think there is any problem.

Everything You Need to Know About 3TB Hard Drives | PCWorld

 

[jinvidia]

Unless the HDD is compatible with the motherboard, i dont think you will face any issues. But you will have to partition the HDD particularly for the boot partition if the O/s has some limitation with regard to the boot partition. Since it is VISTA, chances of such limitations are rare...

 

[GunsNRoses]

A quick run-down:
1. You can use the 3TB hard drive on ANY OS and ANY SATA compatible motherboard if you partition it so that maximum partition size is <2TB (for eg. 2TB and 1TB partitions on your 3TB drive) [you can use a volume to combine these two partitions]
2. If you want a single partition, you can use GPT partition (instead of the regular MBR partition). This will require Windows Vista/7+.
3. If you intend to boot from a GPT partition, you need an EFI motherboard.

Food for thought: Understanding the 2 TB Limit in Windows Storage - Ask the Core Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs