Home / Tech · Product overviews / Computers & Accessories / Internal Hard Drives · More from Western Digital
WD Blue 1TB WD10EZEX 3.5-inch Hard Drive: specs and who it suits
A 1TB 3.5-inch SATA hard drive from Western Digital, spinning at 7200 RPM with a 64 MB cache, made for desktop PCs and office use. What the specs mean.
This page contains an affiliate link, marked as such. If you buy through it, Bloiq may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The WD Blue WD10EZEX is a 1TB internal hard drive in the 3.5-inch desktop format. Western Digital positions the WD Blue line as a primary drive for desktop PCs and for office and web use. It stores data on spinning platters rather than flash memory, which is the traditional approach and still a common way to add roomy storage to a desktop.
What the numbers mean
Three specs are worth understanding. 7200 RPM is how fast the platters spin. Faster spinning typically means the drive reaches data sooner than a 5400 RPM model. SATA 6 Gb/s is the interface, the standard connection for internal drives, and it is backwards compatible with older SATA ports. 64 MB cache is a small memory buffer on the drive that holds frequently used data and helps smooth out transfers.
How it compares with an SSD
A hard drive is mechanical, so it is typically slower than a solid state drive at starting up, opening programs and handling many small files. In return, hard drives usually offer more storage capacity for the same space, and they suit files that are read in large chunks, such as photos, documents and backups. Many people use an SSD for the operating system and a hard drive like this for everything else.
Capacity and range
This model is 1TB. Western Digital says the WD Blue range offers capacities up to 6TB, with different cache sizes, so you can pick the one that matches your needs. For everyday office work, browsing and document storage, 1TB is typically plenty.
Cloning software
Western Digital says the drive comes with Acronis True Image WD Edition cloning software. Cloning copies an existing drive to a new one, including the operating system, which saves a fresh installation when you replace or upgrade a drive.
Size, weight and fitting
The drive measures about 5.8 x 4.0 x 1.0 inches (14.7 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm) and weighs about 1 lb (roughly 450 g). It needs a 3.5-inch drive bay, a SATA data cable and a SATA power connector from the power supply. Cables are not always included, so check what is in the box. It is not designed to fit in a typical thin laptop.
Who it suits
It suits a desktop PC that needs a main or secondary drive, a home or office computer used for everyday tasks, and anyone adding storage for photos, documents or backups. Western Digital describes it as a drive for reliable everyday computing.
What to check before you buy
- Bay and connectors: confirm a free 3.5-inch bay, a SATA port and a SATA power connector.
- Cables: check whether you need to supply a SATA data cable.
- Noise and vibration: spinning drives make some sound, which varies with the case.
- Handling: hard drives are sensitive to knocks while running, so mount them securely.
- Backups: keep important data copied to a second location, as with any drive.
The short version
- A 1TB 3.5-inch internal SATA hard drive, model WD10EZEX.
- 7200 RPM and 64 MB cache, with a SATA 6 Gb/s interface.
- Western Digital says it includes Acronis True Image WD Edition cloning software.
- Aimed at desktop PCs and office use.
- Needs a 3.5-inch bay; not for thin laptops.
Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.
