Description
Product Overview of the Western Digital WD10EFRX 1TB HDD
The Western Digital WD10EFRX Red 1 Terabyte (TB) 5400 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Intellipower Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) 6 Gigabytes Per Second (GBPS) 64 Megabytes (MB) Buffer 3.5 Inch Internal NAS Hard Disk Drive is a mouthful to describe, but it’s a critical component for data storage in network-attached storage (NAS) systems. The Western Digital WD10EFRX 1 Terabyte (TB) is a 3.5-inch internal hard disk drive (HDD) designed for Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems. It is a part of Western Digital’s Red series, which is specifically built for NAS devices.
Capacity of 1 Terabyte (TB)
One of the first things to consider when looking for a hard drive is its storage capacity. The WD10EFRX offers 1 terabyte (TB) of storage space. This is equivalent to 1,000 gigabytes (GB). It might not sound like much in an era of multi-terabyte drives, but 1TB is still a significant amount of space, especially for NAS systems that need to store large amounts of data, including photos, videos, documents, and more.
SATA Interface 6 Gigabytes Per Second (GBPS)
The SATA interface is the connection that allows the hard drive to communicate with your NAS device or computer. The WD10EFRX uses a SATA 6 Gigabytes Per Second (GBPS) interface. This is the latest and fastest version of the SATA interface available. It ensures that data can be transferred to and from the drive at a rapid rate, which is crucial for NAS systems that handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Rotational Speed 5400 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)
The rotational speed, measured in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), is an important factor that affects the performance of a hard drive. The WD10EFRX operates at 5400 RPM. While this is not as fast as some other drives that spin at 7200 RPM, it’s important to note that the WD Red series is designed for NAS applications where reliability and energy efficiency are paramount. The lower RPM reduces heat generation and power consumption, making it an ideal choice for NAS environments.
Intellipower Technology
The WD10EFRX drive features Intellipower technology, which is Western Digital’s way of managing the rotational speed of the drive. Instead of a fixed RPM, Intellipower dynamically adjusts the speed to optimize performance and power consumption. This means that the drive can spin faster when it needs to, but it can also slow down to save power and reduce heat generation. Intellipower strikes a balance between performance and efficiency, making it suitable for NAS applications.
Buffer Size 64 Megabytes (MB)
The buffer, often referred to as cache, is a portion of high-speed memory within the hard drive that stores frequently accessed data. The WD10EFRX has a 64-megabyte (MB) buffer. A larger buffer size can improve performance when reading and writing data. In a NAS environment, where multiple users or devices may access data concurrently, a larger buffer can help to smooth out data transfer and improve overall system responsiveness.
Form Factor 3.5 Inch
The form factor of a hard drive refers to its physical size and shape. The WD10EFRX is a 3.5-inch internal drive, which is the standard size for most desktop and NAS hard drives. It’s larger and thicker than the 2.5-inch drives commonly used in laptops. The 3.5-inch form factor allows for more storage capacity and better cooling, making it suitable for NAS systems where durability and reliability are important.
NAS-Specific Features
Western Digital’s Red series, including the WD10EFRX, comes with several NAS-specific features that set them apart from standard desktop hard drives. These features are aimed at enhancing performance and reliability in a NAS environment:
- NASware Technology: Western Digital’s NASware technology is a set of firmware enhancements that optimize the performance and reliability of the drive in a NAS system. It includes features like improved error recovery controls, power management, and vibration tolerance.
- 3D Active Balance Plus: This technology helps control the balance of the drive’s rotating parts, reducing vibrations and ensuring smooth and reliable operation. Vibration can be a concern in NAS environments, especially when multiple drives are used in a single system.
- Compatibility: WD Red drives are designed to be compatible with a wide range of NAS systems, making it easier to choose and install the right drive for your specific NAS device.
- Enhanced Reliability: NAS drives are rigorously tested and built with enhanced reliability in mind, making them suitable for 24/7 operation and long-term use.
RAID Support
If you plan to use the WD10EFRX in a NAS device with multiple drives, you may be implementing a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration. NAS drives are optimized for use in RAID arrays, which offer various benefits, including data redundancy and improved performance. WD Red drives are compatible with various RAID levels, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5, making them versatile for different NAS setups.
- RAID 0 (Striping): This configuration offers increased performance by splitting data across multiple drives. However, there is no data redundancy, so if one drive fails, all data is lost.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): This setup duplicates data on two drives for data redundancy. If one drive fails, the other contains a copy of all the data.
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): RAID 5 combines data striping and parity data across multiple drives. This offers good performance and data redundancy, and it can tolerate the failure of a single drive without data loss.
Key Features
- Capacity: The WD10EFRX boasts a generous storage capacity of 1TB (terabyte). This allows users to store a substantial amount of data, including documents, images, videos, and applications.
- Rotational Speed: Unlike traditional HDDs that usually have a fixed rotational speed, the WD10EFRX operates at 5.4 K RPM (rotations per minute). This mid-range rotational speed strikes a balance between power efficiency and performance.
- SATA-6GBps Interface: The HDD is equipped with a SATA-6GBps (gigabits per second) interface. This high-speed connection ensures quick data transfer between the HDD and the computer, resulting in smoother user experiences and faster access to files.
- Intellipower Technology: One of the distinctive features of the WD10EFRX is its utilization of Intellipower technology. This technology optimizes the rotational speed, power consumption, and performance of the HDD based on the workload. It dynamically adjusts these factors, ensuring energy efficiency and responsiveness, which is particularly useful in scenarios where the HDD operates 24/7.
- Cache Size: The built-in 64MB cache enhances the overall performance of the HDD. The cache serves as a temporary buffer between the HDD and the computer’s memory, facilitating quicker data retrieval and reducing lag times.
Benefits and Advantages
- Reliability: Western Digital has a reputation for manufacturing reliable storage solutions. The WD10EFRX is no exception, offering durability and long-term data integrity. This reliability is crucial, especially for businesses and professionals who rely on continuous access to their data.
- Optimized Power Consumption: With Intellipower technology, the HDD optimizes its power consumption based on the workload. This is particularly advantageous for environments where energy efficiency is a priority, such as home servers or NAS (Network Attached Storage) setups.
- Performance: While SSDs (Solid State Drives) have gained popularity for their speed, the WD10EFRX strikes a balance between performance and capacity. The 5.4 K RPM rotational speed, combined with the 64MB cache and SATA-6GBps interface, ensures responsive performance for everyday computing tasks.
- Affordability: When compared to SSDs with similar capacities, HDDs like the WD10EFRX tend to be more affordable. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who require ample storage space without breaking the bank.
- Compatibility: The WD10EFRX is designed to be compatible with a wide range of systems, including desktops, laptops, and NAS devices. This versatility allows users to integrate the HDD into various setups seamlessly.
Applications
- Home Computing: For individuals with basic computing needs, the WD10EFRX offers a cost-effective storage solution. It can store documents, photos, and videos, while its Intellipower technology ensures efficient power usage.
- Small Business Servers: Small businesses that require reliable data storage for file sharing, data backup, and applications can benefit from the WD10EFRX. Its compatibility with NAS devices makes it an excellent choice for such scenarios.
- Media Storage: The HDD’s ample capacity makes it suitable for storing a vast media library, including music, movies, and TV shows. Its optimized power consumption makes it suitable for use in media centers or home theaters.
- Data Backup: The WD10EFRX can be used as a backup storage solution for critical data. Its reliability and capacity allow users to create redundant copies of important files, ensuring data safety.
General Information about this Western Digital WD10EFRX
- Manufacturer: Western Digital
- Part Number or SKU# WD10EFRX
- Product Type: Hard Disk Drive
- Interface: SATA 6GBPS
Technical Information
- Capacity: 1TB
- Drive Dimensions: 3.5 Inch
- Spindle Speed: 5400 RPM
- Buffer: 64MB
In summary, the Western Digital WD10EFRX Red 1 Terabyte (TB) 5400 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Intellipower Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) 6 Gigabytes Per Second (GBPS) 64 Megabytes (MB) Buffer 3.5 Inch Internal NAS Hard Disk Drive is a versatile and reliable storage solution designed for NAS applications. With its capacity, rotational speed, and NAS-specific features like NASware technology, error recovery controls, and advanced vibration tolerance, it’s a solid choice for home and small business NAS setups.
This hard drive is easy to install and compatible with various NAS systems, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you’re looking to store large media files, ensure data redundancy, or create a reliable network-attached storage solution, the WD10EFRX is an excellent option. Its 24/7 reliability and the balance between performance and energy efficiency provided by Intellipower technology make it a valuable addition to any NAS environment.
