WD Ultrastar DC HC320 – 8TB (0B36404)

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC320 8TB SATA Hard Drive (0B36404) is an enterprise-class 3.5-inch hard disk drive designed for 24/7 continuous operation in data centers, servers, and high-capacity storage systems. It provides a cost-effective solution for traditional IT workloads that require robust performance and high reliability.

• Capacity: A generous 8TB of storage.
• Form Factor: Standard 3.5-inch, making it compatible with most server and storage array bays.
• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s), providing a fast and widely compatible connection.
• Rotational Speed (RPM): 7200 RPM, delivering robust performance for a mechanical drive, essential for responsive data access in multi-user environments.
• Cache Size: 256MB, which helps optimize data flow, reduce latency, and improve overall drive responsiveness under heavy loads.
• Max. Sustained Transfer Rate: Up to 255 MB/s, indicating strong sequential read/write capabilities vital for large file transfers and continuous data streams.
• Workload Rating: An impressive 550TB per year. This crucial enterprise-grade metric signifies its ability to handle an extremely high volume of data read/write cycles annually, significantly exceeding consumer-grade drives (typically 55TB/year).
• Reliability:
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Up to 2.0 million hours. This exceptional rating is a hallmark of enterprise drives, emphasizing its suitability for continuous, mission-critical operations where downtime is unacceptable.
  • Load/Unload Cycles: 600,000 cycles, showcasing its mechanical durability.
  • Non-recoverable Read Errors: Less than 1 per 1015 bits read, ensuring very high data integrity for sensitive business data.
• Recording Technology: Employs CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording), which is preferred for its consistent performance and reliability, especially in RAID arrays, as it avoids the potential performance complexities associated with Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) during heavy write operations.
• Vibration Protection (Enhanced RVS – Rotational Vibration Safeguard): Incorporates sophisticated electronics that actively detect and compensate for both linear and rotational vibrations in real-time. This is crucial for maintaining consistent performance and reliability in dense, multi-drive server racks where vibrations can degrade performance.
• TLER (Time-Limited Error Recovery): Essential for RAID configurations. This feature helps prevent drives from being prematurely dropped from arrays due to extended error recovery processes, thus preserving array stability and data availability.
• Sector Format: Primarily 512e (512-byte emulation), offering broad compatibility with modern operating systems and hardware while leveraging larger physical sectors.
• Dual-Stage Micro Actuator Technology: Enhances head-positioning accuracy, contributing to better drive performance.
• Non-Volatile Cache (NVC): Helps improve write performance and data integrity, particularly during unexpected power loss.
• Compatibility: Extensively tested and validated for broad compatibility with various OEM storage systems, SATA controllers, and host bus adapters, ensuring seamless integration into complex IT infrastructures.
• Warranty: Backed by a robust 5-year limited warranty, reflecting its enterprise-grade design and intended long-term, continuous operation.
• Power Consumption (Typical): Operational: ~8.8W; Idle: ~7.4W. Being an air-filled drive (not HelioSeal), its power consumption is optimized for its design class.

Ideal Use Cases

The WD Ultrastar DC HC320 8TB (0B36404) is purpose-built for:

• Enterprise Servers: Providing reliable storage for mission-critical applications that require high uptime, consistent performance, and robust data integrity in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Datacenter Environments: Including mid-capacity tiers of cloud storage, private cloud infrastructure, and data warehousing where cost-effectiveness and reliability are key.
• Enterprise Storage Systems: Such as traditional RAID arrays, rack-mounted storage enclosures, and server-based distributed storage systems.
• Big Data Analytics Platforms: For scenarios where continuous access to and processing of large datasets are required.
• High-End, Continuous Video Surveillance Systems: That demand reliable and performant storage for long-term continuous recording and archiving of large volumes of video data.

Key Details

• Brand: Western Digital
• Series: Ultrastar DC HC320
• Model Number: 0B36404 (also known as HUS728T8TALE6L4)
• Storage Capacity: 8 Terabytes (TB)
• Form Factor: 3.5-Inch (Standard drive size for enterprise servers and storage arrays)
• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s)
• Disk Speed (RPM): 7200 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute, indicating high rotational speed for performance)
• Recording Technology: CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording – preferred for consistent, predictable performance in enterprise arrays)
• Cache Size: 256 Megabytes (MB)
• Security: Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) Available (Offers hardware-based data encryption for enhanced data security)

Performance & Durability

• Transfer Rate: Up to 255 MB/s (Megabytes per second)
• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): 2 Million Hours (Enterprise-Grade Durability, indicating exceptionally high reliability for continuous operation)
• Workload Rating: Up to 550 TB/year (Designed to handle high volumes of data transfers annually, suitable for demanding enterprise workloads)

Physical & Environmental

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 5.79″ × 4″ × 1.03″ (147mm × 101.6mm × 26.1mm)
• Weight: 1.58 lbs (715g)
• Operating Temperature: 5°C to 60°C (41°F to 140°F)
• Non-Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)

Certifications & Warranty

• Certifications: BSMI, ICES-003/NMB-003, CE, FCC, KC, Maghreb, RCM, UKCA, VCCI, CB-Scheme, TUV, UL (Ensures compliance with various international quality, safety, and environmental standards)
• Warranty: 5-Year Limited Warranty