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Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDD vs WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB

Buy the WD Black 250GB if you need a fast 2.5-inch drive for a laptop or small build and want a new unit with a known price. Buy the Caviar GP 500GB if you need more capacity for a desktop and can accept a 3.5-inch drive with no listed new price. The WD Black is $90.03 at Storage Magnet as of November 8, 2026; no current price was given for the Caviar GP.

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Western Digital
Western Digital Black 250GB 7200RPM SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache 2.5-inch Internal Hard Drive

Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDD

Western Digital Black 250GB 7200RPM SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache 2.5-inch Internal Hard Drive

$90.03at Storage MagnetObserved Nov 7, 2026, 6:52 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Storage Magnet

Choose the WD Black 250GB if you need a 2.5-inch 7200 RPM drive with a 32MB cache for a laptop or compact system.

Pros
  • 7200 RPM with 32MB cache suits a boot drive or fast scratch disk
  • 2.5-inch, 7 mm height fits most laptops and small cases
  • CMR recording avoids shingled-write slowdowns
  • Light at 92 grams
Cons
  • 250 GB fills fast with modern games and media
  • 2.5-inch drives cost more per GB than 3.5-inch
  • $90.03 is high for 250 GB of spinning storage
Western Digital
WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB

WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

4.3(178 ratings)
See all prices and details

Choose the Caviar GP 500GB if you need double the capacity for a 3.5-inch desktop bay and speed matters less.

Pros
  • 500 GB doubles the capacity of the WD Black
  • 3.5-inch desktop mounting is simple in a tower
  • Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 178 ratings
  • Listed as hot swappable
Cons
  • No cache size or recording technology listed
  • 3.5-inch size will not fit a laptop
  • No current new price given, so value is hard to judge

What separates them

Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDDWD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB
Form factor2.5-inch, 7 mm tall3.5-inch
Capacity250 GB500 GB
Rotational speed7200 RPM7200 RPM
Cache32 MBNot listed
Recording technologyCMRNot listed
Weight92 gNot listed, typical 3.5-inch drives are much heavier
Hot swapNot listedYes
New price$90.03 at Storage Magnet as of November 8, 2026No new price given

Price history

  • Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDD: lowest $52.99 on Oct 29.
  • WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB: lowest $26.99 on Nov 5 at neweggbusiness.com.

Prices at every store

Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDD

  • Storage MagnetNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $90.03Observed Nov 7, 2026, 6:52 AM
    Visit Storage Magnet
  • E Tech DevicesNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $93.09Observed Nov 7, 2026, 6:52 AM
    Visit E Tech Devices

Also available at

  • Tech Network Supply LLCCheck price at Tech Network Supply LLC
All 2 stores and price history →

WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB

  • CPU MedicsCheck price at CPU Medics
  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • neweggbusiness.comCheck price at neweggbusiness.com

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Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecWestern Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDDWD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB
Capacity250 GB500 GB
Form Factor2.5"3.5 Inch Drive
Rotational Speed7200 RPM7200 rpm
Disk InterfaceSerial-ATA/600—
Buffer Size32768 KB—
Width69.85 mm—
Depth100.2 mm—
Height7 mm—
Weight92 grams—
Drive Ready Time3.8 seconds—
Average Rotational Latency4.17 ms—
Recording TechnologyCMR—
Show all 18 specsShow fewer specs
SpecWestern Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDDWD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB
Interface Type2.5" SATA 6Gb/s—
Buffer (Cache) Size32MB—
Connection—SATA
Hot Swappable—Yes
Color—Green
Drive Type—HDD

What reviewers say

Western Digital Black 250GB 2.5-inch HDD

Users generally value this drive for its reliability and consistent performance in older systems where SSDs might not be an option. It is praised for being one of the faster mechanical 2.5-inch drives available.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedThe 7200 RPM speed provides better responsiveness than standard 5400 RPM laptop drives.
  • CapacityCriticised250GB is considered very small for modern OS installations and media storage.
  • Build QualityPraisedThe WD Black line is recognized for durable construction and stable CMR recording.
  • AcousticsMixedWhile relatively quiet, the mechanical spin is noticeable in silent environments.

WD Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB

  • 4.3 / 5178 ratings

Owner feedback on the Caviar GP line is generally positive, with buyers praising quiet operation and low heat in desktop and media builds. The common complaint is performance: sequential speeds fall well short of conventional 7200 rpm drives.

Pros
  • Very quiet in normal desktop use
  • Runs cool and draws little power
  • Reliable for backup and secondary storage
Cons
  • Slower than expected for a 7200 rpm drive
  • Variable spin speed causes inconsistent transfer rates
  • Firmware and jumper quirks on some older boards

Questions and answers

Which is faster?
Both spin at 7200 RPM, but the WD Black lists a 32MB cache and CMR recording, so it should hold steadier write speeds. The Caviar GP lists neither figure.
Which holds more?
The Caviar GP holds 500 GB, twice the WD Black's 250 GB.
Will the WD Black fit my laptop?
Likely yes if the laptop takes a 7 mm 2.5-inch SATA drive. Check your bay height and connector before buying.
Is the WD Black worth $90.03?
Only if you need a small, fast 2.5-inch drive. For pure capacity, a 500 GB 3.5-inch drive or a cheap SSD gives more for the money.
Can I use the Caviar GP in a laptop?
No. It is a 3.5-inch drive and needs a desktop bay or an external enclosure.
Which lasts longer?
Neither listing gives load cycles or a warranty, so there is no basis to pick one on endurance. Both are older spinning drives; back up either one.