by 2 reviews.
WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive Review: The Ultimate External Storage for Gamers
The WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive is a powerhouse of portable storage designed specifically for gamers. With its massive 8TB capacity, blazing-fast 7200 RPM speeds, and active cooling technology, this external hard drive is built to handle the demands of modern gaming. Whether you're a PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or Mac gamer, this drive promises to keep your game library organized, your load times quick, and your accessories charged with its dual USB ports. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons of the WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the WD_BLACK D10 is its 7200 RPM drive, which delivers speeds of up to 250 MB/s. Customers have praised its performance, especially when compared to slower 5400 RPM drives. One reviewer noted that their CrystalDiskMark test showed speeds of 258 MB/s, which is slightly faster than advertised.
However, the speed can vary depending on the type of files being transferred and the drive it’s connected to. While it’s not life-changingly fast, it’s a significant upgrade for gamers who need quicker load times and smoother gameplay.
Pros:
- Faster than standard 5400 RPM drives.
- Consistent performance for large file transfers.
Cons:
- Speed gains may not be noticeable for casual users.
Build Quality and Design
The WD_BLACK D10 boasts a rugged, stylish design that fits seamlessly into any gaming setup. Its 2.5-inch form factor makes it portable, while the active cooling fan ensures the drive stays cool during extended use. Customers appreciate the ventilation slots and the internal fan, which help prolong the drive’s lifespan.
That said, some users have noted that the drive can get quite warm, with temperatures reaching up to 54°C. While this hasn’t caused any performance issues, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to use the drive in a poorly ventilated area.
Pros:
- Rugged and durable build.
- Active cooling technology for better heat management.
Cons:
- Can run hot during heavy use.
Noise Levels
One common complaint about the WD_BLACK D10 is its noise level. The drive is louder than smaller, 5400 RPM drives, with some users reporting a faint tapping sound during large file transfers. However, most agree that the noise is manageable, especially if the drive is placed under a desk or at a distance.
Pros:
- Noise is minimal during idle periods.
- Active cooling fan is quiet.
Cons:
- Can be noisy during heavy use.
Compatibility and Usability
The WD_BLACK D10 shines in its versatility. It’s compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac, making it a great choice for gamers with multiple platforms. One user highlighted how easy it was to move PS4 games to the drive, freeing up space on their PS5.
However, it’s worth noting that PS5 games cannot be played directly from the drive. You’ll need to transfer them back to the console’s internal storage to play them.
Pros:
- Works seamlessly with multiple gaming platforms.
- Easy to set up and use.
Cons:
- Limited functionality for PS5 games.
Value for Money
At its price point, the WD_BLACK D10 is a premium product. While it offers excellent performance and build quality, some customers feel that it’s overpriced compared to other high-capacity drives on the market. However, for gamers who need the extra speed and reliability, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Pros:
- High performance and durability justify the cost.
- Dual USB ports add extra value.
Cons:
- More expensive than comparable drives.
Conclusion: Is the WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive Worth It?
The WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive is a top-tier external hard drive that delivers on its promises of speed, storage, and reliability. Its 7200 RPM drive, active cooling technology, and dual USB ports make it a standout choice for serious gamers. While it’s not without its flaws—such as noise levels and higher temperatures—the overall performance and build quality make it a solid investment.
If you’re looking to expand your gaming library, store gameplay recordings, or keep your accessories charged, the WD_BLACK D10 is an excellent choice. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need the extra speed, there are more affordable options available.
Final Verdict:
- Best For: Gamers who need high-speed, high-capacity storage for multiple platforms.
- Not Ideal For: Casual users or those on a tight budget.
Upgrade your gaming setup with the WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive and experience the difference it makes in your gaming sessions!
Specification WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN:
Comments from Amazon:
I bought his WD drive to replace two failed Seagate external drives, one of which gave me several years of good service, but the other survived just a month or two past its warranty date. So far, I'm very pleased with this drive. The case is very rugged and it has an internal cooling fan with large ventilation slots along the top sides of the case. Despite the fan, though, the temperature is running a bit high (54 C). I noted other similar comments in the reviews before I bought it but those reviewers didn't consider it a problem. All the other attributes are running nominal so the higher temperature does not appear to be a problem on this one either. One thing I really like, compared to the Seagate drives, is the large LED on the front of the WD case which is easy to see. The Seagates had small dim LED lamps on the top rear of the cases which I couldn't see without getting up and leaning over my desk to look practically straight down at them. The WD case also comes with a very stable vertical stand, another plus because one of my old drives just sat on its edge and was very easily knocked over. The cable connector on the WD drive is also much better than my old drives which tended to disconnect at the drop of a hat. The WD also is a 7200 rpm drive, compared to 5400 for my old drives. There have been several complaints about this drive being noisy. I can hear it tapping very faintly once in a great while when it's handling large files, but the bulk of the time it is an extremely quiet drive. Overall, for the price, if it lasts, this seems to be an excellent choice.
Just what I was looking for to further expand my PS5 game collection! I added a WD internal and wanted to move some of the PS4 games off to give me more space. This device is perfect. Easy to install, and I moved games without issue. Now I can play my PS4 games directly from the external drive and I moved some PS5 games I'm done playing (for now) to it. It's perfect for storing PS5 games I don't plan to play again anytime soon and when I'm ready to play them again, I move them back to the PS5. It's less time consuming than downloading again. To be clear, you cannot play PS5 games directly from the external but you can play PS4 from it.
thank you so much for a great item
Easy to use. 8TB is a great size. Decent value. Using it as storage space for a plex/ jellyfin server. Only thing is when the PC comes back from sleep mode, the drive takes longer to be recognized but it gets there eventually.
Overall this HD is great, and it was slightly faster than advertised! This drive is louder than my other Western Digital external hard drives which are smaller 5400rpm drives and don't require an external power supply, but they are about 60% slower than this beast. My 4GB WD HD gets about 108 MBPs and this 8TB WD HD gets 258 MBPs in CrystalDiskMark (USB 3.0)!!! The small amount of noise is acceptable to me especially for the speeds this thing produces. The noise is nothing like the clicking problem someone else had, but you can hear the drive head kick in from time to time. When the drive is not in use it doesnt make any noise, and it only reads 0.1 - 0.2 W on my KWH meter! I like the fact that it has an internal fan which I don't hear, but I do wish the whole thing was made of aluminum/metal instead of plastic, but then again I probably wouldn't like the price....Overall it looks and feels well built. The status light on the front of mine does not come on. I've never seen it come on, and this this is rather worrying but other than the status light the drive runs perfectly fine. I was going to cover the light due to where I have it placed so it did work out in my benefit, but it's slightly troubling... I feel like this drive offers a good cost to speed compromise. Regular external HD's are slower but slightly cheaper, solid state drives are faster but WAY more expensive for comparable space and have a caveat that they can only be written to so many times.
Lo uso para respaldos de información, guardo librerías de música East West y Kontakt, corre de maravilla, copié todo de una sola intención, más de 1 millón de archivos pequeños aprox 4TB sin problema, 250 MB/s en archivos RAR, ha estado días encendido, hace un ruido extraño cada cierto tiempo pero es normal, lo corro a través de un dock Rosonway USB 3.0 Powered, conectado a un supresor de picos Koblenz.
We love the WD_Black D10 series 12TB External Gaming Drive. It makes for a great external solution for both PCs as well as past gaming consoles. I say past because the ones launching next month are going to work best with NVMe SSD solutions when it comes to taking advantage of the proper load times and frame rates. This also makes for a great general external storage solution for everything else, although there are a few more affordable 12TB-14TB solutions on sale recently if you don’t need the boost in speed this has to offer. This is the only thing that would have dropped the score on this one is how expensive it is (but only if we could have dropped it by half a star, which we cannot sadly). Is the drive a little louder than some? Yes, it can be. Is it annoying? Not really, unless you sit it too close to you are you are using it. If it is under a desk or has some distance between you and where it sits, it isn't as noticeable. If you had any experience with the type of drive that is inside, you'd fully understand this and expect it. How much faster is it? This can vary depending on the speed of the drive sending information to it with, as well as the type of files (quantity, size, etc). It varies if you are actively writing to it vs transferring a file. This is the same with any drive. However, usually everyone likes to base everything on the write speed of file transfers, and in that case, the average speed was around 230MB/s. Faster than your typical 5400rpm external drive, but not going to change your life or anything. It's just there if require the extra speed. This also depends on the drive you'd be comparing it to--old or modern, which could make the difference anywhere between 50-100MB/s faster than these other HDD options. It's nice to have a fan already inside since if you abuse your external drives with constant large transfers and monitored their temps. you'd realize many of them like to get quite a bit hot. So having a fan inside already helps prolong the life of the drive. **If you have found our review helpful, please vote it as helpful below so we know. This helps us to provide quality feedback in the future.