Macrium Reflect V8 External Disk Not Sleep and Overheat during Full Backups


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vett93

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I have been using Macrium Reflect V8 for backing up my Windows 11 PC for a few years. I like it a lot in general. Earlier this week, I found the external hard drive used for backup, a 5TB LaCie hard drive, died. So I purchased a 5TB WD My Passport Ultra to replace it and started to pay more attention to backups. I noticed the following:

1. When the PC is not doing backups, this WD drive does not sleep and it runs at 45 degrees C.
2. When I use Macrium Reflect to perform a full backup, it runs at 55 degrees C and causes the DiskInfo to sound overheat alerts.

How do I improve the situation? Thanks.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
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    4K
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    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
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    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
Per WD specs the operating temperature of that drive is 5°C to 35°C. At 45 deg C when idle, I would return the drive for replacement.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
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    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
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    integrated
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    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Crucial nvme
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
vett93 said:
I have been using Macrium Reflect V8 for backing up my Windows 11 PC for a few years. I like it a lot in general. Earlier this week, I found the external hard drive used for backup, a 5TB LaCie hard drive, died. So I purchased a 5TB WD My Passport Ultra to replace it and started to pay more attention to backups. I noticed the following:

1. When the PC is not doing backups, this WD drive does not sleep and it runs at 45 degrees C.
2. When I use Macrium Reflect to perform a full backup, it runs at 55 degrees C and causes the DiskInfo to sound overheat alerts.

How do I improve the situation? Thanks.
Click to expand...
55 deg C is not that hot unless for long periods. How long does a backup take?

Unplug usb drive when not in use and drive will not get do hot when doing a backup?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
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    laptop OLED screen
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    2880x1800 touchscreen
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    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
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    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
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    Yep, got one
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    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
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    Built in UK keybd
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    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
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    Edge
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    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
glasskuter said:
Per WD specs the operating temperature of that drive is 5°C to 35°C. At 45 deg C when idle, I would return the drive for replacement.
Click to expand...

I think 5 to 35 C is the ambient temperature for the drive to operate in.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD, 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
    Cooling
    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
cereberus said:
55 deg C is not that hot unless for long periods. How long does a backup take?
Click to expand...
A full backup is about 1 hour.
cereberus said:
Unplug usb drive when not in use and drive will not get do hot when doing a backup?
Click to expand...
I thought the USB drive is supposed to sleep when it is not used. I set it on Power Options for the hard disk to go to sleep after 5 minutes. But it keeps spinning.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD, 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
    Cooling
    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
vett93 said:
I think 5 to 35 C is the ambient temperature for the drive to operate in.
Click to expand...
I disagree, This is straight from WD specs for that drive. You're running 45 deg...idle, and 55 deg for a long period of time. 55C is 131F. It's too hot.
You might want to see if there is a bios update. The most current for that board is 8/18/25 vers. 7D25vAM


Screenshot 2025-09-18 223810.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
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    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Are you referring to the BIOS of the motherboard? Or the FW version of the WD hard drive?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD, 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
    Cooling
    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
vett93 said:
Are you referring to the BIOS of the motherboard? Or the FW version of the WD hard drive?
Click to expand...
The latest bios version for MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5 if I pulled up the right board on MSI site. https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-Z690-A-WIFI/support

The reason I suggest running latest bios is I had a similar but not the same issue with my cpu getting hot as hades and Core Temp would shut down my system when I did a Macrium backup to an external nvme drive and a Dell bios update fixed it. TBH I never monitored the temps of the external drive at that time, only the cpu temps.

As a test of the drive you could try creating a Macrium image to it in another machine if you have one. If temps run hot, you'll know its the drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
I've been using WD Green and Toshiba external drives for ages -- I've got 2 external powered 2 Bay RSHTECH devices which plug into USB ports on a NAS I'm running -- the drives are quiesced when not being accessed and if I/O requests on the drives are required then they start up again (doesn't take long). If no requests then after about 5 mins the drives are quiesced . On high usage (backups, file sharing, video streaming) they can get warm but to around 45 deg C which is well within the manufacturing spec.

Client Windows machines can run Macrium to shared disks - I don't have any problems with overheating -- if using HDD's get decent spinners (at least 7200 RPM with a DECENT FAST CACHE) and if using Nvme (ssd type) external things ensure heat sinks etc properly installed and working. Slow cheap HDD's with poor cache aren't suitable for todays hardware -- even using a miniPC which is what I'm using here as a NAS.

The "Fuseblk" type of file is a Windows disk otherwise I use XFS file system. Windows file sharing hasn't a problem with access both Read and Write.

Screenshot_20250919_102144.webp


Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,11 Linux Fedora Rawhide pre-release 45
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
glasskuter said:
The latest bios version for MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5 if I pulled up the right board on MSI site. https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-Z690-A-WIFI/support

The reason I suggest running latest bios is I had a similar but not the same issue with my cpu getting hot as hades and Core Temp would shut down my system when I did a Macrium backup to an external nvme drive and a Dell bios update fixed it. TBH I never monitored the temps of the external drive at that time, only the cpu temps.

As a test of the drive you could try creating a Macrium image to it in another machine if you have one. If temps run hot, you'll know its the drive.
Click to expand...
I monitor the CPU temp using HWInfo64. It does not run hot. The BIOS has been tuned to reduce power to the CPU to avoid overheat. It also has Intel's fixes for the 13th/14th gen CPU problems.

I use Crystal DiskInfo to monitor SSD and hard drive temps. If it exceeds the safe threshold, it will sound a loud beep. It never happened with the previous Lacie drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD, 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
    Cooling
    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
jimbo45 said:
I've been using WD Green and Toshiba external drives for ages -- I've got 2 external powered 2 Bay RSHTECH devices which plug into USB ports on a NAS I'm running -- the drives are quiesced when not being accessed and if I/O requests on the drives are required then they start up again (doesn't take long). If no requests then after about 5 mins the drives are quiesced . On high usage (backups, file sharing, video streaming) they can get warm but to around 45 deg C which is well within the manufacturing spec.

Client Windows machines can run Macrium to shared disks - I don't have any problems with overheating -- if using HDD's get decent spinners (at least 7200 RPM with a DECENT FAST CACHE) and if using Nvme (ssd type) external things ensure heat sinks etc properly installed and working. Slow cheap HDD's with poor cache aren't suitable for todays hardware -- even using a miniPC which is what I'm using here as a NAS.

The "Fuseblk" type of file is a Windows disk otherwise I use XFS file system. Windows file sharing hasn't a problem with access both Read and Write.

View attachment 145879


Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...

It runs at 55 C, not 45C. According to both Crystal DiskInfo and google search results, 55C is not a safe temp.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Corsair Vengeance i7400
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR5
    Memory
    64GB DDR5-5600
    Graphics Card(s)
    4090
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD, 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 1000W 80+ Gold
    Cooling
    water cooled CPU and air cooled GPU
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
    CPU
    Intel i9-13900H
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 4070 mobile
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
vett93 said:
It runs at 55 C, not 45C. According to both Crystal DiskInfo and google search results, 55C is not a safe temp.
Click to expand...
Hi there
I was saying mine runs at 45 deg C only under intermittent heavy load which is within spec -- if yours is at a constant 55 deg C there's some issue there - either in its workload, cooling problems or just a defect with the device.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,11 Linux Fedora Rawhide pre-release 45
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
I can definitively state that operating temperature is the ambient air temperature and not the internal drive temperature.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
I can definitively state that operating temperature is the ambient air temperature and not the internal drive temperature.
Click to expand...
Agreed
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brew
    CPU
    Ryzen3-2200G
    Motherboard
    GA-A320M-S2H
    Memory
    16 GB Kingston HyperX DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2246
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel 760p 256GB NVMe M.2
    Seagate Barracuda 7200 1TB
    Gash Seagate ST31608
    PSU
    2006-vintage no-name
    Case
    Acer Aspire 2006
    Cooling
    Air (fan-assist)
    Keyboard
    HP SK-2885
    Mouse
    wireless
    Internet Speed
    32 mbps
    Browser
    FF latest
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
  • Operating System
    W10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 255 G8
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3500U
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 512GB Nvme
    Browser
    FF + Edge
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
I'm 99% sure the drive is an HDD. 55ºC for a working SSD might be acceptable (my internal SATA ones for destops peak at 50ºC or maybe 55ºC in summer with the room at like 30ºC, I don't pay a lot of attention to it), but for an HDD it's plain excessive.

40-45ºC is fine for HDDs. I have only watched this in desktops internal drives. Once I caught one at 60ºC. The culprit was the worst stock cooling of a vcard you could ever see, 190W (more likely 140W) but very small and very high rpm. vcards can ran hot so why bother? Year 2009. The vcard is still running in the same system but with a 3rd party cooler I had to attach nearly in emergency. HDD down to 42ºC or so.

No idea if an HDD temp should even vary with the load, except inside desktops with improveable cooling. MR with compression is stressful (for example my FX8350 can go at 80ºC), but it shouldn't matter for external drives.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Manufacturer/Model
    MeLE Quieter 2Q (fanless miniPC)
    CPU
    Celeron J4125 (10th gen)
    Memory
    8GB DDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster T260
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    256GB eMMC (Windows)
    2TB USB3 HDD Toshiba (Data)
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