4k native vs 512 emulated sector size drives

[wuxia]

I see that the current price of 6TB NL SAS Segate is around $400 for 4kn and around $300 for 512e drives so there's the natural question of is it worth it. While using 4K native is probably better is there any penalty at all if 512e drives are set with ashift=12?

We have to buy a lot of drives and the price difference is not that small when multiplied.

 

[joeschmuck]

In general the penalty will be minor but it depends on the usage, also a properly designed system would negate any inefficiencies. There is a $100 different per drive? It's likely not only the difference between emulation or not, there must be more to this story.