- Is the WD120EFGX worth it over a cheaper 12TB desktop drive?
- If the drive lives in a NAS, yes. Red Plus is rated for 24/7 operation and vibration in multi-drive bays, and it uses CMR recording, which desktop drives at this price often do not. For a single external enclosure, a cheaper drive may be enough.
- Is this drive CMR or SMR?
- It is CMR. WD lists the 12TB Red Plus as conventional magnetic recording, which keeps write speeds steady and rebuilds predictable in RAID.
- Will it fit my Synology or QNAP NAS?
- It is a standard 3.5-inch SATA drive, so it fits most multi-bay enclosures. Check your NAS maker's compatibility list for the exact model before buying, since some vendors restrict drives not on their list.
- How loud is it?
- At 7200 rpm it is louder than 5400 rpm Red models. Expect noticeable hum and seek noise in a quiet room, so a NAS in a closet or office corner is a better fit than a bedroom.
- What comes in the box?
- The drive itself. No SATA cable or mounting screws are included, so have those on hand if your enclosure does not supply them.
- When is it cheapest?
- Large-capacity drives tend to dip during Black Friday and other storage sales. At $399 at eBay as of November 5, 2026, it is worth watching for a drop before a planned array expansion.
- Where is the WD WD120EFGX Red Plus 12TB SATA Hard Drive for NAS cheapest?
- At Amazon, for $524.99, as of our latest check.