Seagate ST31621A 1.62GB ATA-2 IDE front view Seagate ST31621A 1.62GB ATA-2 IDE front view
Seagate ST31621A 1.62GB ATA-2 IDE front view

Seagate

Seagate ST31621A – 1.62GB | ATA-2 IDE | 3600RPM | 3.5" | Legacy HDD

$199.95

Brand New, Factory Sealed | In Stock | Bulk Orders Available

The ST31621A is a 1.62GB ATA-2 IDE hard drive featuring 3600RPM spindle speed, 64KB cache, 14.0ms average seek time, and 3.0ms track-to-track seek time in a 3.5" form factor. Built for mid-1990s desktop and workstation systems, it is ideal for legacy computer restoration, vintage gaming builds, and industrial automation equipment requiring proven ATA interface compatibility. Compatible with 486, early Pentium systems, and motherboards supporting Enhanced IDE controllers with PIO Mode 4 and Multiword DMA Mode 2. This drive represents Seagate's reliable Metal-In-Gap recording technology with 300,000-hour MTBF rating, engineered for continuous operation in business-critical legacy applications where modern drives cannot provide the necessary interface compatibility.

All products from Anand International ship brand new and factory sealed. Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers.
Specifications
  • Manufacturer: Seagate
  • Model: ST31621A
  • Capacity: 1.62GB
  • Interface: ATA-2 IDE (Enhanced IDE)
  • Spindle Speed: 3600RPM
  • Cache: 64KB
  • Form Factor: 3.5"
  • Seek Time: 14.0ms average, 3.0ms track-to-track
  • Latency: 8.3ms average
  • MTBF: 300,000 hours
  • Drive Type: Hard Disk Drive
  • Warranty: 90 days
  • Shipping: Free domestic US shipping
  • Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed
Product Features
  • ATA-2 Enhanced IDE interface with PIO Mode 4 support
  • Metal-In-Gap (MIG) composite head technology
  • 64KB integrated cache buffer
  • 300,000-hour Mean Time Between Failures
  • 6 heads, 3 disks, 6 data surfaces
  • RLL 1:7 encoding for efficient data storage
  • Multiword DMA Mode 2 for fast data transfer
  • Automatic head parking and landing zone protection
  • Direct replacement for legacy systems requiring IDE/ATA connectivity
  • 90-day Anand International warranty on all legacy stock
  • Free domestic US shipping included
  • Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers
Compatibility

Compatible with 486 and early Pentium systems, motherboards with Enhanced IDE controllers, industrial PCs requiring ATA-2 interface, legacy DOS and early Windows systems. Not compatible with modern SATA controllers, laptops requiring 2.5" drives, or systems expecting UDMA modes higher than Mode 2.
Shipping & Returns
  • Free Shipping: We currently offer free Economy Shipping within the continental U.S. with no minimum order required. Expedited shipping is available at standard carrier rates.
  • Same-Day Shipping: Order placed before 2PM PST will ship the same day. Orders received after this time will ship the following business day.
  • Hassle-Free Returns: If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 10 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.

1.62GB ATA-2 IDE 3600RPM 64KB Cache Factory Sealed

Why the ST31621A is the right Legacy HDD

The Seagate ST31621A represents proven mid-1990s storage technology with ATA-2 Enhanced IDE interface compatibility essential for vintage computing applications. With 3600RPM spindle speed and Metal-In-Gap recording heads, this drive delivers the authentic performance characteristics required for period-correct system builds. Its 64KB cache and Multiword DMA Mode 2 support provide optimal throughput for legacy operating systems while maintaining the electrical and timing specifications that modern drives cannot replicate.

Authentic ATA-2 Enhanced IDE Interface

True ATA-2 compatibility with PIO Mode 4 and Multiword DMA Mode 2 support ensures proper operation with vintage motherboard chipsets and controllers that require specific timing characteristics unavailable in modern drives.

Metal-In-Gap Recording Technology

Advanced MIG composite heads provide reliable data recording on three 95mm disks with six data surfaces, delivering the storage density and access patterns authentic to mid-1990s computing environments.

Proven 300,000-Hour Reliability Rating

MTBF specification of 300,000 hours demonstrates the robust engineering designed for continuous operation in business and industrial applications where system downtime cannot be tolerated.

Period-Correct 3600RPM Performance

Spindle speed and seek time characteristics match the performance expectations of 486 and early Pentium systems, providing authentic user experience for vintage computing enthusiasts and legacy system maintenance.

New Old Stock with 90-Day Warranty

Available as brand new, factory sealed old stock units from Anand International with a 90-day warranty. Ideal for legacy system maintenance, vintage computing restoration, and hard-to-find replacement needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for IDE, including information on usage, configuration, and compatibility.

1. What is an IDE hard drive?

An IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drive is a legacy type of storage device that connects to a computer using a 40-pin ribbon cable and Molex power connector. It was widely used before SATA drives became standard.
2. Can IDE hard drives be used in modern computers?

Most modern PCs do not have IDE ports. However, you can still use an IDE hard drive with a compatible IDE controller card or an IDE-to-SATA/USB adapter.
3. What devices are IDE hard drives compatible with?

IDE hard drives are commonly used in older desktops, servers, DVR systems, legacy industrial equipment, and other electronics that require ATA/100 or ATA/133 interfaces.
4. Are IDE and PATA the same thing?

Yes. IDE is also known as PATA (Parallel ATA). Both terms refer to the same interface standard, which uses wide ribbon cables to connect drives.
5. How do I know if my system supports an IDE hard drive?

Check if your motherboard has a 40-pin IDE connector. If not, you can use an adapter or external enclosure that converts IDE to SATA or USB.
6. What is the maximum capacity of an IDE hard drive?

Most IDE hard drives range from a few hundred megabytes to 500GB, though practical support depends on your system’s BIOS limitations.
7. Can IDE hard drives be used for external storage?

Yes. By using an IDE-to-USB adapter or external IDE enclosure, you can repurpose an IDE hard drive as an external storage device.