This article covers WD30EFAX [WD Red（3TB 3.5インチ SATA 6G 5400rpm 256MB）].

Overview

Western Digital's WD Red series has long been a trusted choice for NAS and home server storage. The WD30EFAX is a 3TB, 5400RPM SATA hard drive equipped with a 256MB cache, designed for 24/7 operation in multi-drive environments. Its 3.5-inch form factor and SATA 6Gb/s interface make it a drop-in replacement for any standard desktop or NAS bay.
What sets this drive apart is the inclusion of NASware 3.0 firmware, which optimizes error recovery, vibration tolerance, and RAID compatibility. With low power consumption (around 4.1W during read/write) and quiet acoustics (20dBA idle), it's an excellent choice for always-on storage systems where noise and heat are concerns. While not as fast as an SSD, the 3TB capacity offers great value per gigabyte for bulk storage needs.

Compatibility Guide

The WD30EFAX is a standard 3.5-inch SATA drive. It fits into any desktop tower, NAS enclosure, or external enclosure that supports 3.5-inch SATA drives.

  • Form factor: 3.5-inch
  • Interface: SATA III (6Gb/s)
  • Power: Standard SATA power connector (5V/12V)
  • Note: For RAID arrays, it's best to use drives from the same series to avoid performance mismatches. This drive is compatible with almost all consumer motherboards and NAS units that have SATA ports.

Product Info

The WD30EFAX belongs to WD's standard Red line, aimed at home and small office NAS users. It has been on the market for several years and is still widely available.

  • Capacity: 3TB
  • Rotational speed: 5400RPM
  • Cache: 256MB
  • Interface: SATA 6Gb/s
  • Power consumption (read/write): ~4.1W
  • Idle power: ~3.4W
  • Noise: 20dBA idle / 24dBA seek
  • Warranty: 3 years limited
  • Supported devices: Desktops, NAS enclosures

Best Use Cases

  • Home NAS builder — Ideal for users who want to store family photos, videos, and documents on a RAID-configured NAS. The NASware ensures stable performance in RAID 1 or RAID 5 setups. However, if you need high sustained write speeds for video editing, consider an SSD or WD Red Pro.
  • Low-power media server — The 5400RPM spindle and low power draw make this drive perfect for an always-on Plex or file server. Quiet operation means it won't disturb your living room setup. Not suitable as a boot drive due to slower access times.
  • Budget-conscious bulk storage — At roughly ¥49,145 (pricing may vary), this 3TB drive delivers excellent cost per terabyte. It's a great secondary drive for game libraries (read-focused) or backup targets. Avoid using it as an OS drive, as loading times will be significantly longer than an SSD.

Things to Consider

There is some confusion around whether the WD30EFAX uses CMR (conventional magnetic recording) or SMR (shingled magnetic recording). The 3TB variant is widely reported to be CMR, but capacities like 4TB in the same series are SMR. If you need absolute certainty for heavy RAID workloads, consider the WD Red Plus series (model suffix EFRX) which is guaranteed CMR.
This drive's sequential read/write speeds top out around 150–180MB/s – fine for media streaming and backups, but slow for active project files. Additionally, availability may be declining as newer models enter the market; verify you're buying a new retail unit, not a used or refurbished one.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the WD30EFAX as an external drive with a USB enclosure?
A: Yes. Any standard 3.5-inch USB 3.0 enclosure will work. Just note that the drive will run at its native SATA speed, limited further by the USB bridge – expect real-world transfer rates of about 120–150MB/s.
Q: Is this drive compatible with my Synology DS220+?
A: Absolutely. Synology officially lists WD Red drives as compatible. For a two-bay NAS using RAID 1, two of these will give you a 3TB mirrored pool. For heavier workloads, Synology recommends the Red Plus series.
Q: How does the 256MB cache affect performance?
A: The larger cache helps with burst write performance and reduces write amplification in RAID environments. For typical home NAS usage (file serving, media streaming), you'll benefit from smoother multi-user access. It doesn't significantly improve sequential transfers but helps with random writes.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: ウエスタンデジタル(Western Digital)
  • Seller: PROLABO
  • Fulfilled by: PROLABO
  • ASIN: B083XVD1FP
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.