300GB SAS Hard Drive: Complete Server Replacement Guide for 2026

Published March 28, 2026 · 7 min read · By Pro Disk Network Team

Need to replace a 300GB 10K or 15K SAS drive in your Dell, HP, or IBM server? This guide covers compatibility, RPM differences, form factors, and where to find genuine replacement drives.

Topics: SAS, Hard Drive, 300GB, Server, Dell, HP

Why 300GB SAS Drives Are Still Everywhere

Despite the march toward SSDs, 300GB SAS hard drives remain one of the most commonly replaced components in enterprise servers. Millions of Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant, and IBM System x servers deployed between 2008 and 2020 shipped with 300GB 10K or 15K RPM SAS drives. These drives have a typical service life of five to seven years, which means a massive wave of replacements is happening right now.

10K RPM vs 15K RPM: Which Do You Need?

The two main variants of 300GB SAS drives are 10,000 RPM and 15,000 RPM. Here is how they compare:

10K RPM (SAS 6Gbps/12Gbps)

• Sequential read: approximately 150-180 MB/s
• Random IOPS: approximately 150-200
• Power consumption: 6-8 watts
• Common part numbers: ST300MM0006 (Seagate), HUC109030CSS600 (Hitachi), AL13SEB300 (Toshiba)
• Best for: General-purpose file servers, backup targets, cold storage tiers

15K RPM (SAS 6Gbps/12Gbps)

• Sequential read: approximately 200-250 MB/s
• Random IOPS: approximately 250-350
• Power consumption: 8-12 watts
• Common part numbers: ST300MP0005 (Seagate), EH0300FBQDD (HP), AL13SXB300N (Toshiba)
• Best for: Database servers, virtualization hosts, transaction processing, boot drives

If you are not sure which RPM your server uses, check the label on the current drive or look up the server model specifications.

2.5-Inch vs 3.5-Inch Form Factor

300GB SAS drives come in both 2.5-inch SFF (Small Form Factor) and 3.5-inch LFF (Large Form Factor) variants:

• 2.5-inch SFF: Most common in modern rack servers (Dell R640, R740, HP DL360, DL380 Gen9/Gen10). These require an SFF drive caddy that matches your server model.
• 3.5-inch LFF: Found in older servers and tower models (Dell T640, HP ML350). These use LFF caddies. Note that you can use a 2.5-inch drive in a 3.5-inch bay with an adapter bracket, but not the reverse.

Server-Specific Part Numbers

Each server manufacturer uses unique part numbers that are often just rebranded Seagate, Hitachi, or Toshiba drives. Here are common mappings:

HP / HPE:

• 507127-B21 (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch)
• 652611-B21 (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch Gen8+)
• 785067-B21 (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch Gen9+)
• EH0300FBQDD, EG0300FBLSE (OEM drive numbers)

Dell:

• 0F617N (300GB 15K SAS 3.5-inch)
• 0NWH7V (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch)
• ST300MM0006 (Seagate OEM)

IBM / Lenovo:

• 42D0637 (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch)
• 81Y9671 (300GB 10K SAS 2.5-inch)

Should You Replace with SSD Instead?

If your server supports it, replacing a failed 300GB SAS drive with a 480GB or 960GB SATA SSD is often a better long-term investment. SSDs offer 10x the IOPS, lower power consumption, zero mechanical failure risk, and prices have dropped to under 100 dollars for enterprise-grade 480GB models.

However, there are cases where you must stick with SAS spinning drives: existing RAID arrays that require identical drives for rebuild, SAS-only backplanes that do not accept SATA, and warranty or compliance requirements that mandate like-for-like replacement.

Where to Buy Genuine 300GB SAS Drives

Pro Disk Network carries over 5,000 300GB SAS drives from every major manufacturer. All drives are tested, genuine OEM parts with the original firmware. We stock both 10K and 15K RPM variants in 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors.

Search by your server part number at prodisknetwork.com or contact sales@prodisknetwork.com with your server model for a compatibility-verified recommendation. Volume pricing is available for bulk replacements, and all orders over 150 dollars ship free within the US.