WD Blue Edition 2TB 3.5" Internal HDD

For those not aware of the "SMR drama", it seems WD is shipping HDD without labelling it as SMR drives (much slower, with zfs and raid issues)

Unfortunately it seems this "WD20EZAZ" is on the list (search for "WD Internal Client SMR HDDs" for more details)

I did benchmark those drives (as WD is hiding the fact it's SMR, it's the only way to know), and performances are terrible : it went as slow as 10MB/S and 0 IOPS once I copied over 20G.

Depend on what you usage is, but the fact it looks fast at first is only because there's cache. Once cache is full, then the drive will move data to SMR

Shame on WD, but I wish PBTech would remov...view more For those not aware of the "SMR drama", it seems WD is shipping HDD without labelling it as SMR drives (much slower, with zfs and raid issues)

Unfortunately it seems this "WD20EZAZ" is on the list (search for "WD Internal Client SMR HDDs" for more details)

I did benchmark those drives (as WD is hiding the fact it's SMR, it's the only way to know), and performances are terrible : it went as slow as 10MB/S and 0 IOPS once I copied over 20G.

Depend on what you usage is, but the fact it looks fast at first is only because there's cache. Once cache is full, then the drive will move data to SMR

Shame on WD, but I wish PBTech would remove those or at least warn us that it might be SMR instead of CMR.

From Adrian, New Plymouth (I have been a customer of PBT NP for years)
I have had lots of WD Hard drives over the years, but this one I bought in July 2019 and it has started failing recently causing all kinds of problems. Found the cause and it was this 2TB WB HDD.
I'm not sure if I was just very unlucky but it has 1.4TB of data and program files on it and have been doing the best I can to rescue some files but even that is proving difficult now. Obviously warranty but a TOTAL DRAG !!! Replacing it with a new Seagate 2 TB drive. Not gambling on this again. From Adrian, New Plymouth (I have been a customer of PBT NP for years)
I have had lots of WD Hard drives over the years, but this one I bought in July 2019 and it has started failing recently causing all kinds of problems. Found the cause and it was this 2TB WB HDD.
I'm not sure if I was just very unlucky but it has 1.4TB of data and program files on it and have been doing the best I can to rescue some files but even that is proving difficult now. Obviously warranty but a TOTAL DRAG !!! Replacing it with a new Seagate 2 TB drive. Not gambling on this again.

Worked great for my new build. Easily installed and worked great for games. Worked great for my new build. Easily installed and worked great for games.

Bought to clone/replace older drive that was making funny noises and no doubt ready to crash.

Pros: my machine is now running like a charm (2 weeks in); Product def value for the money.
Cons: None

Note: Top service too from the PB Tech rep, friendly, helpful and certainly knows his stuff. Shot, PB :-) Bought to clone/replace older drive that was making funny noises and no doubt ready to crash.

Pros: my machine is now running like a charm (2 weeks in); Product def value for the money.
Cons: None

Note: Top service too from the PB Tech rep, friendly, helpful and certainly knows his stuff. Shot, PB :-)

Does what it says on the tin, plug and play, solid price for 2tb Does what it says on the tin, plug and play, solid price for 2tb

Seems to go good for storage. I am not using it for gaming so it won't really be working to hard. Seems to go good for storage. I am not using it for gaming so it won't really be working to hard.

yea good hard drive yea good hard drive

I use it as data drive for the new system. Obviously you won't look for performance on this HDD but reliability. I have used lots of WD Blue HDDs and this is the model I trust. The BLACK is too pricey and this BLUE makes a good balance among performance and price. I use it as data drive for the new system. Obviously you won't look for performance on this HDD but reliability. I have used lots of WD Blue HDDs and this is the model I trust. The BLACK is too pricey and this BLUE makes a good balance among performance and price.

Added in to my system, good for what I need Added in to my system, good for what I need

Urgently need two drives. These fitted the bill for size and price. As always, great stuff from PB-Tech Urgently need two drives. These fitted the bill for size and price. As always, great stuff from PB-Tech

At this stage working as advertised, will have to wait too see if there are any problems down the track. At this stage working as advertised, will have to wait too see if there are any problems down the track.

Bought one of these 4 or 5 years ago and have just bought another to replace it as the original one is getting a bit noisey. I think that's pretty good value considering it has my steam Library on it and gets well used daily! Bought one of these 4 or 5 years ago and have just bought another to replace it as the original one is getting a bit noisey. I think that's pretty good value considering it has my steam Library on it and gets well used daily!