Seagate is reviving hybrid storage technology to merge HDD capacity with SSD speed
The FireCuda Forge combines mechanical storage with separately purchased NVMe flash memory
Alkemi platform automatically moves frequently accessed files onto faster solid-state storage
Seagate is bringing back an old storage concept with its FireCuda Forge , an external hard drive designed to deliver SSD-like responsiveness. The device combines conventional magnetic storage with a separate NVMe SSD , allowing frequently needed files to move onto faster flash memory. This arrangement recalls hybrid hard drives from the mid-2000s, although Seagate is introducing a new approach through its Alkemi platform. Seagate revisits hybrid storage with a modern caching system
Hybrid drives attempted to bridge the performance gap between traditional hard disks and solid-state storage long before the latest FireCuda announcement. About 20 years ago, manufacturers were already exploring ways to combine mechanical storage with flash memory to improve everyday computing performance. Seagate subsequently developed its Momentus 5400 PSD hybrid drive in 2007, which combined conventional magnetic storage with flash memory. The underlying idea was straightforward: retain the affordability and capacity of mechanical disks while using faster flash storage for frequently requested information. The new FireCuda Forge applies this principle, featuring a dedicated M. 2 slot where users can insert their own NVMe SSD to work alongside the built-in mechanical drive. With Seagate’s Alkemi platform, the device monitors file activity and automatically determines which information deserves space on the faster installed SSD. Frequently accessed files are prioritized on the NVMe SSD, while less active material remains on the larger mechanical disk…