Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 500 GB

This is a 500GB 2.5" HDD on the SATA interface. Sequential throughput tops out at 550 MB/s reads and 520 MB/s writes. At roughly $0.1 per gigabyte it sits in the mid-range tier. SATA throughput caps near 550 MB/s — fine for game libraries and backups, slower for heavy scratch work.

Expect to pay around $50.00, which lands it among mid-range options. PlanMyPC's builder flags compatibility problems automatically and tracks the latest drive deals from multiple stores. Support and warranty service run through Hitachi, with terms that vary by region. Scroll down for the complete spec table; the builder's compatibility checker will warn you about any conflicts with components you have already picked.