Western Digital 4TB WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD - 5400 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, CMR, 128 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD40EFZZ
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AI Verdict
This 4TB, 5400 RPM, CMR, 128MB cache 3.5-inch HDD is for NAS systems with up to 8 bays needing continuous operation and data storage, not raw speed.
This 4TB WD Red Plus drive is a solid choice for NAS users who specifically need a CMR drive for continuous operation and RAID, especially in systems with up to 8 bays. However, its 5400 RPM speed means it won't be the fastest option for demanding workloads.
If you need faster data access and don't mind a higher price, look for NAS drives with 7200 RPM and larger cache sizes (e.g., 256MB or 512MB).
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Pros
- Uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is preferred for NAS environments over SMR drives.
- Designed for continuous operation in NAS systems, supporting 24/7 workloads.
- Optimized for RAID configurations in NAS systems with up to 8 bays.
- Offers a 4TB capacity for storing growing amounts of data.
Cons
- The 5400 RPM rotational speed limits performance, making it feel sluggish for large files or multiple simultaneous tasks.
- Some users report noticeable noise levels, with descriptions ranging from 'jet engine' to simply not quiet.
- Can run hot, potentially requiring excellent cooling in the NAS enclosure to prevent performance degradation or failure.
- The 128MB cache is smaller compared to some other NAS drives, which can impact performance in certain scenarios.
Dimension Scores
The 5400 RPM rotational speed and 128MB cache place its performance squarely in the average range for mechanical hard drives, not optimized for speed.
Designed for continuous operation and uses CMR technology, but some users have reported early failures and SMART errors within months of use.
4TB is a common and practical capacity for many small to medium NAS setups, offering a good balance of storage and cost per terabyte.
While designed for NAS systems, there are reported compatibility issues with specific NAS models, particularly Synology.
Best For
- Small to medium business NAS environments requiring data storage and protection.
- Home servers and media centers for archiving and sharing data.
- RAID-optimized NAS systems with up to 8 drive bays.
- Users prioritizing data integrity and continuous operation over raw speed.
Not Recommended For
- Users needing high-speed data access for tasks like 4K video editing directly from the NAS.
- Budget-conscious buyers who can find higher capacity or faster drives per dollar from other brands.
- NAS systems without adequate cooling, due to reported heat generation.
Watch Out For
- The warranty process has been reported by some users as a 'nightmare,' involving long wait times and lost drives during RMA.
- Several users have experienced early failures and SMART errors within months of use.
- Compatibility issues have been reported with certain NAS systems, particularly Synology, leading to unexpected behavior.
- Some users find the drive's noise levels distracting, with reports of it sounding like a 'jet engine' during operation.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0G5YDXKS7 |
| Brand | WD |
| Color | Red |
| Series | WD Red |
| Hard Drive | 4 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 1.21 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. |
| Special Feature | 3-year limited warranty, NASware, Rotation Vibration (RV) sensors |
| Hardware Platform | Home NAS, Home Server, Small to Medium Business, NAS enclosure/NAS systems, RAID Setups and Storage Pools |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | WD40EFZZ-SPCPAN0 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 5.78 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 | 5.78 x 4 x 1.03 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 4 TB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
What Buyers Say
The biggest relief for many users is that this WD Red Plus drive uses CMR technology, avoiding the performance pitfalls of older SMR Red drives in NAS environments. However, don't expect blazing speeds; the 5400 RPM means it's not a performance monster, and some folks have definitely noticed it feeling slow with bigger files. There are also recurring complaints about noise, with some drives being surprisingly loud, and a few users have run into early failures or compatibility headaches with certain NAS brands like Synology.
“Man, I just needed a drive that wouldn't die on me in my Synology like those old SMR Reds, and this one's CMR, so that's a win. But seriously, it's not exactly quiet, and copying my Plex library felt like watching paint dry. Hope it lasts longer than the last one, because dealing with WD's warranty is a whole other nightmare.”
Common Praise
- Confirmed CMR technology, avoiding SMR issues in NAS.
- Suitable for 24/7 continuous operation in NAS.
- Good for data archiving and general storage in RAID setups.
- Ample 4TB storage capacity for expanding network storage.
Common Complaints
- Noticeable noise levels, described by some as a 'jet engine' during operation.
- Slower performance due to 5400 RPM, especially with large files or multiple tasks.
- Reported early failures and SMART errors within months of use.
- Compatibility issues with specific NAS systems, notably Synology.
- Runs hot, requiring effective NAS cooling.
Ownership Tips
- The actual noise level can vary significantly between individual drives, even of the same model.
- Monitoring drive temperatures is crucial, as some units tend to run warmer than expected in certain NAS enclosures.
- Performance can degrade noticeably when performing multiple write operations simultaneously, typical for 5400 RPM drives.
- Initial setup and integration into a NAS, especially Synology, might require firmware updates or troubleshooting for some users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) or Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) drive?
This WD Red Plus drive uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is generally preferred for NAS and RAID environments due to its consistent performance during writes.
How noisy is this hard drive?
User experiences vary; some find it acceptable, while others report it can be quite noisy, even sounding like a 'jet engine' during operation.
Is this drive compatible with Synology NAS devices?
While marketed for NAS, some users have reported compatibility issues with certain Synology NAS models. It's advisable to check Synology's official compatibility list for your specific model.
What is the warranty period for this drive?
The WD Red Plus 4TB drive comes with a three-year limited warranty.
Is this drive fast enough for my NAS?
With a 5400 RPM rotational speed, this drive is not designed for high-speed performance. It's suitable for data storage, backup, and sharing, but may feel sluggish for tasks involving large files or multiple simultaneous operations.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at NAS drives like this one, you're not just buying a regular hard drive. These are built for 24/7 operation in multi-drive systems, often in a RAID setup, where reliability and consistent performance are key. You need to think about how much data you're storing, how often you'll access it, and if your NAS can keep it cool. Don't just grab the cheapest drive; the wrong one can mess up your whole system.
Capacity (4 TB)
This is how much data you can store. 4 terabytes is enough for thousands of movies or hundreds of thousands of photos, but in a RAID setup, your usable space will be less (e.g., 2TB in RAID1 with two drives).
Interface (SATA 6 Gb/s)
This is how the drive connects to your NAS or computer. SATA 6 Gb/s is the standard for modern hard drives, ensuring it can communicate at its maximum potential speed.
RPM (5400)
Revolutions Per Minute tells you how fast the platters spin. 5400 RPM drives are generally quieter and consume less power, but they're also slower than 7200 RPM drives, impacting how quickly you can read and write data.
Cache (128 MB)
This is a small, fast memory buffer on the drive that temporarily stores frequently accessed data, helping to speed up operations. A larger cache (like 256MB or 512MB) can improve performance, especially with many small files.
Alternatives
If this drive doesn't quite fit, look for NAS-specific drives with 7200 RPM for faster access, or those with larger cache sizes (256MB or 512MB) for better handling of multiple requests. For ultimate speed, consider SSDs designed for NAS, though they come at a higher cost per terabyte.
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