by 550 reviews.
WL 3TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive Review: A Budget-Friendly Storage Solution
If you're in the market for a reliable and affordable hard drive, the WL 3TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive might just be what you need. Designed for high-performance applications like servers, RAID setups, NAS systems, DVRs, and desktop PCs, this hard drive offers a generous 3TB storage capacity, a 7200RPM rotation speed, and a 64MB cache for faster data access. Priced at around $40, it’s a budget-friendly option that promises solid performance. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
1. Ease of Installation and Setup
One of the standout features of this hard drive is its ease of installation. Customers have praised the clear instructions provided, even though the print is small. One user mentioned, "I’m not a techie at all, but I could follow the instructions without any confusion."
For those replacing an existing drive, the process is straightforward. A customer shared, "I reversed the steps I took to remove my old drive, connected the cables securely, and it worked perfectly." On the software side, formatting was a breeze, with some users noting that their systems automatically detected the new drive without requiring additional setup.
2. Performance and Speed
The 7200RPM speed and 64MB cache make this drive a solid performer. Users have reported smooth video playback and efficient data transfer, especially when compared to slower 5400RPM drives. One reviewer using it for a security camera system said, "The 7200RPM speed really helps my video feed run more smoothly compared to my old 5400RPM drive."
Another user who tested the drive with a large amount of data (over 2TB) confirmed that the read/write speeds were normal for this type of drive, with no errors during the process.
3. Noise Levels
Noise is a mixed bag with this drive. While some users found it to be quiet, others reported noticeable noise during operation. One customer said, "Compared to my previous NAS drive, this is super quiet. I can hardly hear any noise, only occasionally."
However, another user noted, "The noise level is high compared to other drives. I can hear it when it’s in operation, but it’s not a dealbreaker for me." If noise is a concern, this might be something to consider, especially if you’re using it in a quiet environment.
4. Durability and Longevity
Durability is where opinions diverge. Many users have had positive experiences, with one stating, "I’ve been using this drive for over a month, and everything works fine. No issues whatsoever." Another user who purchased two drives confirmed that they arrived in excellent condition, with no signs of prior use.
However, there are reports of the drive failing after less than two years. One disappointed customer shared, "It lasted less than two years before going bad. Now I see why the warranty is only one year." While this isn’t the case for everyone, it’s worth noting that the one-year warranty might not be sufficient for those looking for long-term reliability.
5. Price and Value
The price is undoubtedly one of the biggest selling points of this hard drive. At around $40, it’s significantly cheaper than name-brand alternatives. A satisfied customer said, "You can’t get better storage for less. Great deal!"
Another user highlighted the cost-effectiveness, stating, "This generic brand is produced in Thailand, just like many name-brand drives, but it costs 1/3 or 1/2 of the price." For budget-conscious buyers, this drive offers excellent value for money.
Conclusion: Is the WL 3TB Hard Drive Worth It?
The WL 3TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive is a solid choice for those seeking an affordable storage solution. Its ease of installation, impressive performance, and quiet operation (for most users) make it a great option for NAS systems, DVRs, and desktop PCs. The 3TB capacity and 7200RPM speed ensure smooth operation, even for demanding applications like video surveillance.
However, the mixed feedback on noise levels and durability means it may not be the best choice for everyone. If you’re looking for a long-term, high-reliability solution, you might want to consider a more established brand with a longer warranty.
Final Verdict: For the price, the WL 3TB Hard Drive delivers excellent value and performance. It’s a great option for budget-conscious buyers or those needing a secondary storage solution. Just keep in mind the potential trade-offs in noise and longevity.
Specification WL 3TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive (For Server, RAID, NAS, DVR, Desktop PC) w/1 Year Warranty:
Comments from Amazon:
Excellent drive. It's fast and has worked flawlessly. I am very impressed. You can't get better storage for less. Great deal!
I bought this for a home data storage server and it seems to be working. I have no issues with video playback over my network with this and it seems to be functioning with no issues. I got a pretty good deal for the capacity.
Like wasn't a factor. I was satisfied with my purchase.
I ordered two of these drives and they arrived quickly and were packaged well. Both were individually boxed and sealed in anti-static bags. The outside of the boxes labeled the drives as new and a visual inspection did not indicate to me that these had been previously installed or used. There were no scratches or blemishes so I do believe that they are new drives. I have only installed one so far, but it is currently running well inside my main computer. I did read the reviews before I purchased them and was confident that the drives would function, but wanted to test it out before relying on it to hold important data. The drive that I installed reads as a Hitachi drive and I copied a large amount of data to it immediately to verify that it was functioning properly. Copy/Read/Write speeds were normal for this type of drive and it took over 2TB of data without error. I randomly copied data back from the drive also without error. Other reviewers have commented on the noise, and I agree the noise level is high compared to other drives. I have it in a large tempered glass case and I'm able to hear it when it is in operation. To be fair, my water cooler makes almost as much noise, so the noise isn't a deal breaker for me. Overall, I am extremely happy and will buy more of these in the future.
Noisy. Makes a lot of noise. Used for security camera recordings. Lasted less than two years before going bad. Now I see why the warranty is only one year. Need to replace. Will not buy this again!
Works amazingly as a drive to contain all games for an OG modded Xbox.
I purchased this product as the replacement NAS drive for my security camera system. Initially, I was a little hesitant about getting a generic brand and I wasn't sure about its quality. Yet at approx. $40, what's there to lose. So I gave it a try. I'm glad I did. It turned out to be the best purchase I've ever made. Here are the things I really like about this hard drive: 1) Clear Instructions: It comes with a small 1-page instruction card. (The words are sorta in "fine" print...very small). In my opinion, everything is clearly written. I didn't have any confusions. Mind you that I am not a techie AT ALL. But I can follow instructions well. 2) Easy Installation: Since I got this as a replacement for my existing NAS hard drive, I didn't have any problem figuring out where and how to place this hard drive on my system. I basically reversed the steps I took for deinstalling my original hard drive and making sure all the cables/wires were connected correctly and securely. And that's it on the hardware part. On the software side, the instruction mentioned that one needed to format the drive for the initial install. In my case, I didn't really have to because my system had already detected the new drive and all my cameras were already functioning. Either way, I still clicked on "format" drive on my system and after a short time, everything was working again just as before. 3) Large Storage Space & high-speed RPM: I really like this drive offers 3TB storage space and is at 7200 RPM speed. This really helps my video feed run more smoothly. My previous drive that came with the security system only had 2TB and was at 5400 RPM. 4) Hardly any noise: Compared to my previous NAS drive, this is a super quiet drive. I can hardly hear any noise, only occasionally. My previous drive was constantly buzzing, which was a nuisance. 5) Solid Quality & Compatibility: I've been using this drive for over a month, everything works fine. There are no issues whatsoever. It is compatible with my security camera system. 6) Great Price & Made in Thailand: After doing some research, I realized that most of the name brand hard drives are produced in Thailand. This generic brand is also produced in Thailand. This gives me a little confidence about the product source. And it only costs 1/3 or 1/2 of the price of a name brand hard drive for the same amount of storage space & speed. As you can read, I only have great things to say about this product. For a non-techie, I'm really happy this hard drive worked out for me and I wasn't stressed out during the installation process. Easy-peasy :)