This article covers ウエスタンデジタル WD60EZAX [WD Blue（6TB 3.5インチ SATA 6G 5400rpm 256MB CMR）].

Overview

Western Digital's WD Blue series continues to offer reliable storage, and the WD60EZAX is a 6TB model that hits a sweet spot for bulk storage. This 3.5-inch internal hard drive uses a SATA 6Gbps interface, spins at 5400 RPM, and packs 256MB of cache. It employs CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, ensuring stable write performance and compatibility with RAID setups.
The WD60EZAX is well-suited for desktop PC storage expansion or home NAS usage. With 6TB of capacity, it provides ample room for photo libraries, video archives, and game collections. The 5400 RPM spindle keeps power consumption and noise low, making it a practical choice for 24/7 operation. It sits in the mid-range tier, balancing cost, capacity, and reliability.

Compatibility Guide

This drive uses the standard 3.5-inch form factor and a SATA 6Gbps interface (Serial ATA-600). It fits into any desktop PC with a free 3.5-inch bay and a SATA power connector. Laptops are not compatible due to the 2.5-inch requirement. The drive is also fully compatible with most NAS enclosures that support 3.5-inch SATA drives.
For best results, use the WD60EZAX as a secondary storage drive. The 5400 RPM speed is adequate for sequential reads and writes, but random access performance is limited compared to SSDs or 7200 RPM drives. It works well in RAID 0, 1, or 5 configurations, thanks to the CMR recording technology, which avoids the performance degradation of SMR drives under sustained writes.

Product Info

The WD60EZAX was released in 2023 as part of the WD Blue family. It is positioned as a mid-range, mass-storage solution for users who need large capacity at a reasonable price. Pricing in Japan is around ¥35,000 (tax included) on online retailers. The drive comes with a standard 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Key specifications: 6TB capacity, SATA 6Gbps interface, 5400 RPM spindle speed, 256MB cache, CMR recording. Typical sustained transfer rate is around 180 MB/s. Power consumption is rated at 3.5W idle and 5.5W during seek, which is low for a 3.5-inch HDD. Noise levels are also modest, at about 28 dBA idle and 30 dBA during seek.

Best Use Cases

  • Photo and video backup: Content creators with large RAW photo libraries or 4K video archives will appreciate the 6TB capacity. The CMR technology ensures stable write speeds when backing up multiple files. However, for active editing, an SSD is recommended as the primary drive. The WD60EZAX is best as a cold storage or backup destination.
  • Home NAS storage: The low power consumption and heat output make this drive ideal for 24/7 operation in a NAS. CMR technology provides reliable performance in RAID arrays. Users who need a large-capacity drive for file sharing, media streaming, or network backups will find it a good fit. Avoid using it as the boot drive in a NAS; a small SSD for the OS is better.
  • Budget gaming storage: For gamers on a budget, this HDD can be used to store less demanding games or older titles that don't require fast loading. Modern AAA games with large open worlds will experience longer load times, but for indie games or casual play, it's acceptable. Pair it with a modest SSD for the OS and most-played games.

Things to Consider

The 5400 RPM speed means the WD60EZAX is slower than 7200 RPM models or any SSD. It is not suitable as a boot drive for modern operating systems. For a system drive, choose a 7200 RPM HDD or, better yet, an SSD. Additionally, the 6TB capacity may be overkill for users who only need small amounts of storage; a 4TB model might be more cost-effective for light use.
Compared to competitors like the Seagate BarraCuda 6TB, the WD60EZAX offers similar performance but is often praised for quieter operation. However, the price per terabyte is slightly higher than 8TB+ models, so if you need more than 6TB, consider a larger capacity drive for better value. Also, note that some older motherboards may not support drives larger than 2.2TB without a UEFI BIOS update; check compatibility before purchase.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this drive as an external USB HDD?
A: Yes, if you place it in an external 3.5-inch SATA enclosure. It will then connect via USB. However, 3.5-inch enclosures require external power, so it's not as portable as a 2.5-inch drive.
Q: What is the difference between CMR and SMR, and why does it matter?
A: CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) writes data in non-overlapping tracks, offering consistent performance and better reliability for RAID and frequent writes. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) overlaps tracks to increase density, but rewrite performance can degrade. For long-term use, especially in a NAS, CMR is preferable.
Q: Is this drive compatible with macOS or Linux?
A: Yes, as a standard SATA HDD, it works with any operating system that supports the SATA interface. No special drivers are needed. It can be formatted as HFS+, APFS, ext4, NTFS,

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: ウエスタンデジタル(Western Digital)
  • Seller: ショップ ラズベリー [適格請求書発行事業者登録済]
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon
  • ASIN: B0BNGL4BND
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.