Is this drive meant for a desktop PC or a NAS?

It is an enterprise-class drive built for always-on servers, NAS and workstations. It works in a desktop but is louder and thirstier than consumer drives.

How much storage does 12TB give me in a RAID array?

Raw capacity is 12 TB per drive. In RAID 5 or RAID 6 usable space is reduced by parity, so plan array size accordingly.

Does it use SATA or SAS?

This model is SATA 6Gb/s with a standard 3.5-inch form factor, so it fits most consumer NAS and server bays.

How does it compare with the WD Red?

Gold is rated for heavier enterprise workloads and spins at 7200 RPM; Red is tuned for quieter, lower-power NAS use. Gold is faster and tougher, Red is quieter.

The drive itself in retail packaging. SATA cables and mounting screws are not included.

What do buyers say about the WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600?

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 87 ratings.

Western Digital

WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600

Best price now

$299.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Western Digital

WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600

Best price now

$299.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $299.99 at Walmart on Nov 9.

Our take on the WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600

The WD Gold 12TB is Western Digital's enterprise-class 3.5-inch SATA hard drive, built for always-on storage in servers, NAS boxes and workstations. It spins at 7200 RPM with a 512 MB cache and a SATA 6Gb/s interface, and WD rates it for heavy annual workloads rather than desktop duty. Against consumer drives like the WD Red or Seagate IronWolf it trades quietness and low power for durability and sustained throughput. Owners rate it highly for reliability in RAID arrays and multi-bay enclosures.

Best forNAS and server builds needing large capacitySurveillance or backup arrays running 24/7Workstations handling large media filesBuyers who want an enterprise-grade drive over a desktop model

Pros

12 TB per drive in a single 3.5-inch bay
7200 RPM spindle with a large 512 MB cache for fast sequential reads and writes
Enterprise workload rating suited to always-on operation
SATA 6Gb/s interface works with most NAS and server backplanes
Backed by a minimum one-year warranty

Cons

Audible seek noise and vibration in desktop or quiet setups
Runs warmer and draws more power than 5400 RPM consumer drives
Not designed for shucking into consumer NAS enclosures
Enterprise pricing sits above comparable desktop drives

WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600 prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by Newegg Inc.Returns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$299.99Checked Nov 9
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What reviewers say

4.4 / 587 ratings

Owners give the WD Gold 12TB strong marks for reliability in RAID and NAS use, with several reporting years of trouble-free service. Complaints center on noise and heat rather than failures.

What people mention

ReliabilityPraisedOwners report long service lives in RAID arrays and NAS units with few failures.
NoiseCriticisedSeek chatter and vibration are audible, especially in desktop cases.
SpeedPraisedSequential reads and writes are fast for a mechanical drive thanks to the 7200 RPM spindle and large cache.
HeatMixedThe drive runs warmer than 5400 RPM models, so airflow matters.

About the WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600

The WD Gold is a 12 TB enterprise-class internal hard disk drive in the 3.5-inch size. It is model WD122KRYZ.

It connects over SATA 6Gb/s (SATA/600) and is in the 7200 RPM class. It has a 512 MB cache.

Capacity: 12 TB
Model: WD122KRYZ
Form factor: 3.5 inch, internal
Interface: SATA 6Gb/s (SATA/600)
Speed: 7200 RPM class
Cache: 512 MB
Class: Enterprise
Compatibility: Windows
Condition: Brand new, sealed, in original retail packaging
Warranty: Minimum 1 year

Specifications

hard_drive_capacity: 12 TBSource
cache_memory: 512 MBSource
edition: 512MBSource
compatible_brands: WindowsSource
color: MulticolorSource

Questions and answers

Is this drive meant for a desktop PC or a NAS?: It is an enterprise-class drive built for always-on servers, NAS and workstations. It works in a desktop but is louder and thirstier than consumer drives.
How much storage does 12TB give me in a RAID array?: Raw capacity is 12 TB per drive. In RAID 5 or RAID 6 usable space is reduced by parity, so plan array size accordingly.
Does it use SATA or SAS?: This model is SATA 6Gb/s with a standard 3.5-inch form factor, so it fits most consumer NAS and server bays.
How does it compare with the WD Red?: Gold is rated for heavier enterprise workloads and spins at 7200 RPM; Red is tuned for quieter, lower-power NAS use. Gold is faster and tougher, Red is quieter.
What is in the box?: The drive itself in retail packaging. SATA cables and mounting screws are not included.
Where is the WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600 cheapest?: At Walmart, for $299.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the WD Gold 12TB Hard Drive 3.5" Internal SATA SATA/600?: Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 87 ratings.