(Old Model) WD Green 4TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5-inch, SATA 6 Gb/s, IntelliPower, 64MB Cache WD40EZRX
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
A 4TB, 3.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s mechanical hard drive with IntelliPower, designed for quiet, low-power desktop secondary storage.
This 4TB, 3.5-inch mechanical drive with IntelliPower and 64MB cache is a situational fit for users prioritizing quiet operation and low power consumption for bulk storage. Its 150 MB/s sustained transfer rate and potential head parking issues make it less ideal for performance-critical or frequently accessed data.
If you need faster data access or plan to use it as a primary drive, look for a drive with a fixed 7200 RPM rotational speed and higher sustained transfer rates.
Regret Score™
Low RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Operates at 25 dBA idle and 28 dBA seek, making it quieter than many alternatives.
- Consumes 3.3 Watts at idle and 4.5 Watts during read/write, reducing power usage by up to 40% compared to standard drives.
- Offers 4000 GB capacity, capable of storing 300 hours of HD video.
- Includes IntelliSeek technology to minimize noise and vibration during operation.
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS for broad desktop integration.
Cons
- Sustained transfer rate of 150 MB/s is slower than performance-oriented drives.
- Some users report reliability concerns, with more negative than positive reviews in this area.
- Advanced Format can result in worse performance for small file operations.
- Older units had a head parking issue that could increase wear if not addressed with a utility.
- Package includes only the bare drive, requiring separate purchase of screws and cables.
Dimension Scores
The sustained transfer rate of 150 MB/s is below average compared to modern 7200 RPM desktop drives which often exceed 200 MB/s.
User feedback is mixed, with some reporting long-term use and others expressing concerns about reliability and head parking issues.
A 4TB capacity is substantial for bulk storage, holding up to 800,000 digital photos or 300 hours of HD video, making it above average for its price band.
It supports SATA 6 Gb/s and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, fitting into nearly any desktop system.
Best For
- Archiving large media files like 300 hours of HD video.
- Secondary storage in a desktop PC where low noise is a priority.
- External drive enclosures needing energy efficiency and cool operation.
- Backup storage for non-critical data.
Not Recommended For
- Primary operating system drive due to 150 MB/s sustained transfer rate.
- RAID configurations without disabling the head parking feature, as some users report issues.
- Applications requiring high-speed, frequent small file access due to Advanced Format performance.
Watch Out For
- The drive is a bare unit, meaning you'll need to buy mounting screws and SATA cables separately.
- Some users experienced reliability issues, with "more negative reviews than positive in this area".
- Older WD Green drives had an aggressive head parking feature (C1 count) that could lead to increased load/unload cycles, potentially impacting longevity if not disabled with a utility.
- Its 150 MB/s sustained transfer rate means moving large datasets will take longer than with faster 7200 RPM drives.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B00EHBEUZO |
| Brand | Western Digital |
| Color | Green |
| Series | Green |
| Hard Drive | 4 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 4 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | WD40EZRX |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 5.79 x 4 x 1.03 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.79 x 4 x 1.03 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 4000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 10000 RPM |
| Standing screen display size | 3.5 Inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users found this 4TB WD Green drive to be a surprisingly quiet option for bulk storage, often noting its low operating temperatures. However, a recurring theme in user feedback points to concerns about its long-term reliability, with some experiencing failures or issues related to its IntelliPower and head parking characteristics. Despite these concerns, its energy efficiency and quiet operation made it a popular choice for secondary storage or media archiving.
“Man, this thing is SO quiet, I barely hear it even when it's chugging away, but I'm always kinda worried it's gonna die on me after reading all these stories, gotta back up my stuff constantly.”
Common Praise
- Whisper quiet operation, even when seeking data.
- Runs noticeably cooler than other mechanical drives.
- Low power consumption, reducing electricity bills.
- Large 4TB capacity for storing massive amounts of media.
- Easy to set up as a secondary storage drive.
Common Complaints
- Slower data transfer speeds compared to 7200 RPM drives.
- Concerns about drive longevity and early failures reported by some users.
- Aggressive head parking (C1 count) could lead to increased wear without a utility fix.
- Not suitable for RAID arrays due to performance and reliability concerns.
- Advanced Format caused performance issues with small files.
Ownership Tips
- The drive's "IntelliPower" spin speed can make it feel sluggish when accessing frequently used files.
- Monitoring SMART data, especially the Load/Unload Cycle Count (C1), is important to gauge potential wear from head parking.
- It's best used for data you access infrequently, like a media archive, rather than active project files.
- The low heat output is noticeable, making it a good fit for passively cooled enclosures.
- Performance for large sequential writes is acceptable, but random access times are noticeably slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this drive as my main operating system drive?
While technically possible, its 150 MB/s sustained transfer rate and IntelliPower (5400 RPM class) speed mean it will be slower than a 7200 RPM drive or an SSD, making it less suitable for an OS drive.
Is this drive noisy?
No, it's designed for quiet operation, with idle acoustics at 25 dBA and seek acoustics at 28 dBA. Many users praise its low noise levels.
Does this come with cables or mounting hardware?
No, the package includes only the bare hard drive. You will need to purchase SATA data cables, power cables, and mounting screws separately.
What does "IntelliPower" mean for the RPM?
IntelliPower is a variable spin speed technology that Western Digital states is "fine-tuned" for power savings and performance. It generally operates in the 5400 RPM class, not a fixed 7200 RPM.
Can I use this drive in a RAID array?
While some users have reported using WD Green drives in RAID 1 without problems, others advise against it due to potential head parking issues. If you do, consider disabling the head parking feature with a utility.
Buying Guide
When buying a mechanical hard drive, you're balancing capacity, speed, and cost. For this 4TB drive, you're getting a lot of space for your money, but you're sacrificing raw speed. Think of it as a giant digital attic – great for storing things you don't need to grab quickly, but not for your everyday tools.
Capacity (4000 GB)
This is how much data the drive can hold. 4000 GB is enough for hundreds of thousands of photos or hours of video, making it ideal for large archives.
Interface (SATA 6 Gb/s)
This is the connection type to your computer. SATA 6 Gb/s is standard for modern motherboards, ensuring compatibility, but the drive's internal speed is the real bottleneck.
IntelliPower
This isn't a fixed RPM like 7200 or 5400. It's a variable speed designed to save power and reduce noise, which means it generally operates in the slower 5400 RPM class.
Cache (64MB)
This is a small, fast memory buffer on the drive that temporarily stores frequently accessed data, helping to speed up minor operations, but it won't overcome the slower spin speed for large transfers.
Alternatives
If you need faster performance for applications or frequently accessed files, look for drives with a fixed 7200 RPM speed or consider solid-state drives (SSDs) for primary storage. If you need enterprise-grade reliability for a server, search for drives specifically designed for NAS or enterprise environments.
You Might Also Like
Seagate IronWolf Pro SATA III 3.5" Internal NAS Hard Drive, 2-Pack - 8TB
$300-$599A 2-pack of 8TB 7200 RPM CMR internal hard drives with 256MB cache, built for 24/7 multi-bay NAS environments.
QNAP TS-453E-8G-US 4 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS with Intel Celeron Quad-core Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM and Dual 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) Network Connectivity (Diskless)
$600+A 4-bay diskless NAS with an Intel Celeron J6412, 8GB DDR4 RAM, dual 2.5GbE, and M.2 NVMe slots for businesses needing long-term support.
Seagate Exos 28TB Internal Hard Drive HDD - 3.5 in CMR SATA 6Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 512MB Cache, 2.5M MTBF - ST28000NM000C (Renewed)
$300-$599This 28TB, 7200 RPM, 3.5-inch CMR SATA 6Gb/s renewed hard drive is for serious data hoarders needing massive capacity at a lower price point.
1TB G-Drive ArmorATD Rugged, Durable Portable External HDD, Up to 130MB/s, USB-C (5Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 1 – SDPHE1G-001T
$50-$99A 1TB mechanical hard drive with a 130MB/s read speed and USB-C (5Gbps) connectivity, built for users needing rugged, portable storage for school or creative projects.