Western Digital 8TB WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD - 5640 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, CMR, 256 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD80EFPX
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AI Verdict
This 8TB, 5640 RPM, CMR drive with 256 MB cache is for small to medium NAS systems needing 24/7 operation and up to 180 TB/yr workload.
This drive is a situational fit because its 180 TB/yr workload rate and NASware firmware are designed for continuous NAS operation, but user reports of early failures during RAID rebuilds introduce significant risk. It's built for up to 8-bay systems, making it suitable for many home and small business setups.
If reliability is your top priority for critical data, consider drives with a longer warranty or enterprise-grade specifications like a higher MTBF and more robust vibration protection.
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Pros
- Designed for 24x7 operation in NAS systems with up to 8 bays.
- Features CMR technology, avoiding the SMR issues found in some older Red drives.
- Supports a workload rate of up to 180 TB/year, suitable for active data transfer.
- Includes 256 MB cache, which aids in speeding up access to frequently used files.
- Equipped with NASware firmware for enhanced compatibility with various NAS systems.
- Many users report quiet operation, even in multi-drive NAS setups.
Cons
- Some users experienced drives failing with bad blocks or strange sounds during RAID rebuilds within the first week.
- A few reports of drives not being recognized by NAS systems or even Windows, despite appearing in BIOS.
- The 5640 RPM spindle speed is slower than 7200 RPM drives, potentially limiting peak performance for demanding tasks.
- Warranty is 3 years, which is standard but not as long as some higher-tier enterprise drives.
- Can be reliably slow after the drive is half-filled, especially with small chunks of data.
Dimension Scores
The 5640 RPM spindle speed is not the fastest available, but the 256 MB cache helps mitigate this for typical NAS workloads.
While designed for 24x7 operation with a 180 TB/yr workload rate and 3-year warranty, there are concerning user reports of multiple drives failing within the first week during RAID rebuilds.
8TB is a highly practical capacity for home and small business NAS systems, offering substantial storage without being excessively expensive.
The 3.5-inch form factor, SATA 6 Gb/s interface, and NASware firmware ensure broad compatibility with most NAS enclosures and systems.
Best For
- Small to medium business NAS systems requiring 24x7 operation.
- Home users building a multi-bay NAS for archiving and sharing files.
- RAID array rebuilding on systems using ZFS or other file systems.
- Replacing a failed drive in an existing NAS, compatible with RAID 5 configurations.
Not Recommended For
- Users needing the absolute fastest read/write speeds for intensive, high-performance applications.
- Mission-critical enterprise environments where a 3-year warranty and reported early failure rates are unacceptable.
- Anyone sensitive to potential drive noise during heavy operation, despite general reports of quietness, as some users experienced unusual sounds.
Watch Out For
- One user reported 3 out of 4 new WD80EFPX drives failing within the first week during RAID5 rebuilds, with one producing 'strange sounds like it has a speaker and somebody press a buttons on old Nokia phone' and failing with a reidentification count of 8.
- Another user found the drive was seen in BIOS but 'never seen by any system' (NAS or Windows 11) and didn't spin up in an external enclosure.
- Some users noted that the drive can become reliably slow once it's about half-filled, particularly with small data chunks.
- Despite being CMR, there are instances of bad blocks developing on drives during extended rebuild processes, leading to aborted rebuilds.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0CMQ6SK7W |
| Brand | WD |
| Color | Red |
| Series | WD Red Plus HDD |
| Language | English |
| Batteries | 1 AAAA batteries required. |
| Hard Drive | 8 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 1.58 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. |
| Special Feature | RAID-optimized NAS systems |
| Flash Memory Size | 8 TB |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | WD80EFPX |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 11.81 x 11.81 x 11.81 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR5 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.81 x 11.81 x 11.81 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 8000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 5640 RPM |
| Standing screen display size | 16 Inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
User experiences with the WD Red Plus 8TB drive are a mixed bag; while many appreciate its quiet operation and suitability for 24/7 NAS use, a significant number of complaints highlight concerning reliability issues, particularly during initial setup or RAID rebuilds. Some users found the drive to be easily installed and perform as expected without errors for months, others faced immediate failures, bad blocks, or drives not being recognized by their systems. The contrast between 'boringly flawless' operation and 'strange sounds' followed by failure is stark.
“Man, I bought three of these for my Synology and two of them crapped out during the initial RAID rebuild, making weird noises and throwing bad blocks. My data was almost toast, seriously, stay away if you value your sanity!”
Common Praise
- Operates quietly, even in multi-drive NAS enclosures.
- Easy to install and integrate into existing NAS systems.
- Works reliably for 24/7 continuous operation over several months for many users.
- Runs cool during sustained usage, even with large file transfers.
- Provides ample storage capacity for home and small business needs.
Common Complaints
- Multiple drives failing with bad blocks or reidentification errors during RAID rebuilds, sometimes within the first week of use.
- Drives not being recognized by the NAS or operating system, despite appearing in BIOS.
- Unusual 'strange sounds' emanating from the drive before failure.
- Performance degradation and reliable slowness once the drive is more than half full.
Ownership Tips
- Some users report drives running 'boringly flawless' for over a year, suggesting long-term stability if they survive initial setup.
- The noise level can be a pleasant surprise for those accustomed to louder enterprise drives.
- Even with CMR, some users experienced bad blocks developing, indicating that 'NAS-grade' doesn't guarantee immunity from issues.
- The drive's performance might feel sluggish for certain workloads once it fills up, not just at peak usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this drive SMR or CMR?
This WD Red Plus drive (WD80EFPX) uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is preferred for NAS environments due to its consistent performance in RAID arrays.
Will this work in my Synology NAS?
Yes, WD Red Plus drives are designed for compatibility with a wide array of NAS systems, including Synology, thanks to their NASware firmware. However, some users have reported issues with recognition or failures during rebuilds in Synology systems.
How noisy is this drive?
Many users report that the WD Red Plus 8TB drive operates quietly, even when running 24/7 in a multi-bay NAS. However, there are isolated reports of unusual sounds during failure events.
Can I use this drive in a RAID 5 configuration?
Yes, the WD80EFPX is compatible with RAID 5 configurations and is designed for NAS systems that utilize RAID. Its CMR technology is well-suited for such setups.
What is the workload rate for this drive?
This drive supports a workload rate of up to 180 TB per year, meaning it can handle up to 180 terabytes of user data transferred to or from the drive annually.
What is the warranty period?
The Western Digital 8TB WD Red Plus comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Buying Guide
When buying a hard drive for a NAS, you're not just looking for raw capacity. You need a drive designed for continuous operation (24x7) and capable of handling consistent data transfers without failing. Look for drives with CMR technology, as SMR drives can cause performance issues, especially in RAID arrays. Also, consider the workload rate – how much data the drive is expected to read and write annually.
5640 RPM
This is the rotational speed of the platters inside the drive. Higher RPMs (like 7200 RPM) generally mean faster data access, but 5640 RPM drives often consume less power and produce less heat and noise, which can be beneficial in a multi-drive NAS enclosure.
CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording)
This refers to how data is written to the platters. CMR drives write data in parallel tracks, making them consistent performers, especially in RAID arrays where data is frequently rewritten. This is crucial for NAS reliability, unlike SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) which can cause severe slowdowns during heavy writes or rebuilds.
256 MB Cache
The cache is a small, fast memory buffer on the drive that stores frequently accessed data, allowing for quicker retrieval. A larger cache can improve overall responsiveness, especially when dealing with many small files or concurrent requests.
180 TB/yr Workload Rate
This is a measure of how much data (in terabytes) the drive is designed to handle being written to or read from it in a year. A higher workload rate indicates a more robust drive suitable for active NAS environments that see frequent data access and changes, rather than just archival storage.
Alternatives
If this drive doesn't meet your needs, look for drives with 7200 RPM for higher performance, or enterprise-grade drives with 5-year warranties and higher MTBF ratings for maximum reliability in critical applications.
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