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Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive
Western Digital

Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive

Bottom line: The Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache: 7200 RPM spin speed with dual processor and dual actuator for fast desktop response; main trade-off: 500 GB trails modern multi-terabyte drives on raw storage.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 7200 RPM spin speed with dual processor and dual actuator for fast desktop response
  • ✓ SATA 6 Gbps interface with 4.2ms average latency for demanding workstation use
  • ✓ Backed by a 5-year limited warranty per Western Digital
  • ✓ 32 MB cache and 500 GB capacity for photos, videos, and multi-drive systems

Cons

  • ✗ 500 GB trails modern multi-terabyte drives on raw storage
  • ✗ 7200 RPM mechanical drive far slower than any SSD for boot and load times
  • ✗ 6.0 W read/write draw runs warmer than a solid-state alternative
  • ✗ Bulk/OEM packaging ships bare, without mounting screws or SATA cables

Manufacturer description

Product DescriptionWestern Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB SATA3 7200rpm 32MB Hard Drive, BulkFrom the ManufacturerWD Caviar Black Hard Drives – Maximum performance for power computing.WD Caviar Black high performance 3.5-inch SATA hard drives combine 7200 RPM spin speed, an integrated dual processor, and dual actuator technology for lightning-fast performance in demanding desktop, workstation, and multi-drive systems. And 500 GB capacity gives you the space you need to hold plenty of photos, videos, and files. Best of all these drives are backed by a 5-year limited warranty.Why you…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the PC & gaming hardware category. Western Digital's PC & gaming hardware lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for PC & gaming hardware of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • Standby: 0.9 W, Sleep: 0.9 W
  • Interface: SATA 6 Gbps, Average latency (ms): 4.2ms
  • Capacity: 500 GB, Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM, Cache: 32 MB
  • Power Dissipation(Average),:Read/Write: 6.0 W, Idle: 5.6 W
  • Capacity: 500 GB, Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM, Cache: 32 MB

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorBlack
Standby0.9 W, Sleep: 0.9 W
Capacity500 GB, Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM, Cache: 32 MB
InterfaceSATA 6 Gbps, Average latency (ms): 4.2ms
Model NameWD Black
Unit Count1 Count
Form Factor3.5-inch
Model NumberWD5002AALX
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberWD5002AALX
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Item Part NumberWD5002AALX
Hardware PlatformPC
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate750 megabytes_per_second
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceSerial ATA

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Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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Western Digital 500 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive
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