# Western Digital WD Red Plus WD120EFBX-EC — 12TB CMR NAS Internal Hard Drive > The Western Digital WD Red Plus WD120EFBX-EC is a 12TB CMR internal HDD designed for NAS environments Tags: hdd, western-digital, wd-red-plus, 12tb, nas, cmr Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08W1VQB5R Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/western-digital-wd-red-plus-hdd-12tb-cmr-35-sata-7200rpm?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- ## Overview The Western Digital WD Red Plus series is purpose-built for NAS (Network Attached Storage) environments, and the WD120EFBX-EC 12TB model stands out by using CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) instead of SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording). With a 7200RPM spindle speed and 256MB cache, this drive balances capacity with responsive sequential transfers. This drive is designed primarily for multi-bay NAS enclosures running RAID arrays. The CMR technology ensures stable rebuild times in parity-based RAID 5 or RAID 6 configurations, making it a solid choice for home servers and small-office backup storage where long-term reliability matters. In the market, the WD Red Plus sits in the 'reliability-focused mid-range' tier among NAS HDDs. It costs a bit more than the SMR-based WD Red at the same capacity, but the CMR recording and 3-year manufacturer warranty justify the premium for users who prioritize data integrity. ## Compatibility Guide The WD120EFBX-EC uses the standard 3.5-inch form factor and SATA 6Gbps interface, so it fits into any 3.5-inch drive bay in most NAS enclosures and desktop PCs. You'll need a SATA data cable and a SATA power connector from your power supply. Compatible NAS brands include Synology, QNAP, ASUSTOR, and NETGEAR ReadyNAS, among others. However, some entry-level NAS models may not officially support 12TB drives, so always check the manufacturer's compatibility list before purchasing. For desktop use, ensure your motherboard has a free SATA port and your PSU has an available SATA power connector. If your case lacks a 3.5-inch bay, you may need a mounting adapter or bracket. ## Product Info The WD Red Plus WD120EFBX-EC was released by Western Digital in 2020. It features CMR recording, a 3.5-inch form factor, 7200RPM spindle speed, 256MB cache, and a SATA 6Gbps interface. The warranty period is 3 years. It competes with the Seagate IronWolf 12TB (also CMR) and Toshiba N300 series. The WD Red Plus differentiates itself with NASware 3.0 technology, which optimizes error recovery control to reduce timeouts in RAID environments. Market positioning: a reliability-focused mid-range NAS HDD. It costs more than entry-level SMR drives but offers CMR recording and a 3-year warranty, making it suitable for users who prioritize data safety. ## Best Use Cases * Home NAS builders: Ideal for users setting up a NAS for photo/video backups and file serving. CMR ensures stable RAID rebuilds, reducing data loss risk. Not recommended for those who need SSD-like random access speeds. * Small-office backup storage: Perfect for consolidating backups from multiple PCs into a single NAS. Cost-effective for SMB environments. However, for 24/7 operation, consider the WD Red Pro series (higher endurance). * Desktop users needing bulk storage: Suitable as a media/game installation drive. The 7200RPM speed delivers good sequential transfer rates for large files. Pair it with an SSD for the OS and applications. ## Things to Consider First, the 12TB model uses multiple platters, generating noticeable heat and vibration. Ensure adequate airflow in your case or NAS; consider adding a cooling fan if the enclosure is tightly packed. Second, the competing Seagate IronWolf 12TB (ST12000VN0008) is also CMR and similarly priced, but includes RV sensors for better vibration tolerance in multi-bay setups. For 8-bay or larger NAS arrays, the IronWolf may be a better fit. Finally, the WD Red Plus carries a 3-year warranty, while the WD Red Pro offers 5 years. For mission-critical 24/7 operation, the longer warranty of the Red Pro can reduce long-term ownership costs. ## FAQ Q: Can I use this HDD as a boot drive in a desktop PC? A: Technically yes, but it's not recommended. An SSD is far faster for OS and application loading. This drive is designed for bulk storage and NAS use. Q: What's the difference between WD Red (SMR) and WD Red Plus (CMR)? A: The recording method. WD Red Plus uses CMR, which provides stable performance during RAID rebuilds and heavy writes. WD Red (SMR) can suffer from degraded write performance after sustained use and is not recommended for RAID. Q: Will this drive work in a Synology DS220+? A: Yes, the DS220+ supports 3.5-inch SATA HDDs up to 12TB officially. However, check the latest compatibility list on Synology's website, as DSM version may impose capacity limits. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: ウエスタンデジタル(Western Digital) - Seller: イーアキバ - Fulfilled by: イーアキバ - ASIN: B08W1VQB5R - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.