A Windows Server 2003 R2 has the following hard disk configuration: - 3 internal hard disks attached to a 3Ware unit, configured in Raid 1 + spare unit - 3 external USB backup disks: 2 Verbatim 1TB (Samsung HD103SI) + 1 Western Digital 1TB (WD10EADS)

The server runs 365 days per year, h24, however: - at daytime the server/user usage is limited to the internal hard disks - at nighttime there's no user usage, apart from scheduled maintenance tasks, basically the Server will be idle from 7PM to 8AM. apart from nighly backups (few hours).

I was wondering if:

(a) it makes any sense let Windows manage power savings, allowing disks to spin down accordingly, ** OR** let the disks stay awlays-on, to avoid permature wearing, due to continuous spin up/down

(b) leave internal disks always on, and force external disks to power down while idle (this requires third party tools, such as Verbatim's Green button utility)

Your thoughts?