specification
The 8TB WD Blue is a basic entry-level HDD that offers plenty of performance to help you add more storage to your system without breaking the bank. Sticking with 8TB CMR technology sets it apart from other cheaper drives, and the Blue series also has his CMR options for other capacities. The 8TB model is a slight improvement at 5640 RPM over the 5400 RPM drives typically found in this price class. This makes it a clear winner over the slower SMR technology Seagate BarraCuda alternatives, but falls short when compared to faster drives like the 7200-RPM FireCuda. WD Blue is attractive against all competitors in its performance class price range.
Blue has the usual software support we’d expect, but the industry-standard 2-year warranty for drives in this class is more full-featured, like the 7200-RPM FireCuda with extra features. Not much better than the more expensive options. 3 years data rescue service. Blue also has a smaller cache capacity compared to the BarraCuda, so this drive is aimed at a lower price point. Not the best drive for NAS use or as a replacement for heavier workloads, but great for adding storage to your system for media, backups, and general tasks that don’t require SSD-class responsiveness or bandwidth .
| product | WD blue HDD |
| capacity | 8TB |
| model # | WD80EAZZ |
| Pricing | $109.99 |
| Cost per TB | $13.75 |
| interface | SATA 6Gb/s |
| form factor | 3.5 inches |
| technology | CMR |
| number of revolutions | 5640 |
| Sustained transfer speed | Up to 185MB/s |
| cache | 128MB |
| operating power | 6.2W |
| noise | 30dBA |
| Workload rate limit | N/A |
| MTBF | N/A |
| guarantee | 2 years |
WD Blue HDDs come in multiple capacities, but it’s important to check the datasheet before purchasing. The 8TB model uses the versatile CMR technology, features a 128MB cache, spins at 5640 RPM, and delivers an internal transfer rate of 185 MB/s. However, not all Blue models have CMR technology. Other Blue drives have both CMR and slow SMR flavors at each capacity point, so be sure to do your homework. Also, all smaller blue models spin at 5400 or 7200 RPM.
The competing 8TB Seagate BarraCuda uses slower and less versatile SMR recording technology, has a 256MB cache, spins at 5400 RPM and delivers up to 190MB/s. However, BarraCuda uses his SMR tech for every function, which is not very desirable.
The 8TB Blue is available now for $109.99, making it the best buy for targeted use cases of large data and archival storage. Both it and the BarraCuda he comes with a short 2 year warranty.
Software and accessories
WD Blue HDDs come with a free downloadable WD Edition of Acronis True Image for cloning the drive. This drive is also supported by a downloadable Western Digital Dashboard that provides diagnostic information and firmware updates. The suite rivals Seagate’s competing software.
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WD Blue is what you’d typically expect from a 6 Gb/s SATA hard drive, with the familiar Western Digital label coloring to match the series of the drive. WD’s Blue SSDs and HDDs are entry-level storage options designed to increase your system’s capacity without major sacrifices.
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