Western Digital Ultrastar He8 8TB
Enterprise HDD
Part number HUH728080AL5204 · Ultrastar He8 series · 3.5" SAS HDD. If your machine is listed below, this drive is officially supported — not a forum workaround.
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No series-level recording rating is on file for this part number yet — check the exact model for CMR vs SMR before buying it as a large cold copy (SMR is the one trait that makes a 16 TB+ backup copy painfully slow). The 3-2-1 guide and the backup tools encyclopedia cover what to schedule it with.
Compatibility verdict
It appears on the official compatibility lists of 2 machines and series — 2 Synology. This is a Enterprise-class drive: rated for heavier sustained workloads than desktop drives. It is a strong pick for a NAS running 24/7, large-array rebuilds or camera workloads, and enterprise lines are also the drives most widely listed across all five vendors' HCLs. No series-level recording rating is on file for this part number yet, so check CMR vs SMR on the exact model before buying for an array.
Compatible NAS models
Same-capacity alternatives
Other drives listed at 8 TB capacity, ranked by how many machines list them:
Quick answers
Is the HUH728080AL5204 officially compatible with my NAS?
It appears on the official compatibility lists of 2 machines and series — 2 Synology. Every machine page linked below shows the vendor's own list entry, refreshed daily.
Is the HUH728080AL5204 a good NAS drive?
This is a Enterprise-class drive: rated for heavier sustained workloads than desktop drives. It is a strong pick for a NAS running 24/7, large-array rebuilds or camera workloads, and enterprise lines are also the drives most widely listed across all five vendors' HCLs. No series-level recording rating is on file for this part number yet, so check CMR vs SMR on the exact model before buying for an array.
Can I use the HUH728080AL5204 for a 3-2-1 cold backup copy?
No series-level recording rating is on file for this part number yet — check the exact model for CMR vs SMR before buying it as a large cold copy (SMR is the one trait that makes a 16 TB+ backup copy painfully slow). The 3-2-1 guide and the backup tools encyclopedia cover what to schedule it with.
What are alternatives to the HUH728080AL5204?
At the same capacity, the most widely listed alternatives are Toshiba MG05ACA800E (393 machines), Seagate ST8000NM0206 (369 machines), Toshiba MN06ACA800 (347 machines). The full ranked list is below.