I’ve got 5 HDDs connected through a HBA (Host Bus Adapter) card, and they’re constantly running. I’m looking for a way to automatically turn them off after a period of inactivity, ideally after 10 minutes. I can’t seem to access the HBA controller interface to check if there’s an option to manage this. My OS is installed on a separate M.2 drive, so it’s not a concern for that. Should I find specific HDD controller software to manage this, and if so, what would that type of software be called? Here are my specs for context: i7-12700K processor, Auros Z690 Elite AX motherboard, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 4070 Ti Super GPU, LSI 6Gbps SAS HBA (LSI 9201-8i), with 3 Barracuda HDDs and 2 WD Red HDDs.
2 Answers
There’s also options in BIOS to optimize power settings for your hardware. Every system is different, so be sure to delve into that if your HBA has any built-in features. Just a thought!
Most HDDs don’t automatically turn off unless you configure them to do so. The power management settings in Windows will only let you manage the main drive usually, so it doesn’t apply to your case with the M.2. I recommend checking out HDD management software like CrystalDiskInfo or HDDScan; they might have features to set timeout periods for your drives. You could also experiment with the HBA’s control panel, as there might be options hidden there that allow you to adjust power settings! Good luck!
Definitely check the HBA control panel first! Some of them do have power management settings. But yeah, software could give you more direct control over those HDDs.
I’ll look into the BIOS settings. Thanks for the tip!