Possible problem of using WD RE4 Drives on a normal desktop computer?

[lorddavid]

Hi, I was searching to buy new drive to my pc (here in the forum I was helped a lot! Thanks). Finally I decided for a SSD and a WD Blue (1tb). But I saw RE4 drives (enterprise drives 2TB) for only 10 dollars more. I read that drivea have TLER of 7 second or something like that. My question is, if I buy that 2tb drives, Can I have some problem with my pc? Or can I modify the firmware or a value to work like a normal drive? I saw in the past one of those drives showing RERR Smart error almost new in a normal computer (but the values was the same with a normal deskto WD Drive), so that make me doubt about those drives, maybe real problem or a false alarm.

PD: And I only have tomorrow to buy because I'm out of USA and someone will bring me the drive :/ and the decision is difficult because I dont know too much about RE4 drives using like a normal drive

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, David!

I don't think you will have any issues using the WD Re4 drive as a desktop (secondary storage) drive. We usually don't recommend them as standalone drives because they are designed for RAID/NAS environments, and when used alone in a desktop you just won't be able to experience what the drive really has to offer in terms of performance. I'd suggest to take a look at this article that explains the difference between desktop and enterprise drives: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=Y9DeUd
Otherwise, I think you are good to go and you shouldn't experience any decrease in performance either. Besides, if you ever wish to upgrade to RAID you'd already have one RAID drive inside. Here's a link to the WD Re's product page on our website, where all the features are listed: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=DpgS20

Hope I was helpful! Let me know if you have any additional questions!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[lorddavid]

So, is ok to use at a storage drive (that theway that I want) but not as OS drive. I was worried about this feature to be different from normal drives. "RAID-specific, time-limited error recovery (TLER)" Can I change that valor to a normal desktop drive?

Ok I will buy that drive, its weird that is more cheap that the black drive.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

So, is ok to use at a storage drive (that theway that I want) but not as OS drive. I was worried about this feature to be different from normal drives. "RAID-specific, time-limited error recovery (TLER)" Can I change that valor to a normal desktop drive?

Ok I will buy that drive, its weird that is more cheap that the black drive.

I'd suggest you to take a look at this .pdf article from our website and see what exactly this TLER feature does: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=ZAbje2
As for disabling it, I'm afraid that's not possible. WD manufactures both desktop and RAID drives and each of them is designed to work specifically in either a desktop computer or on a RAID controller.
http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=4Qa0q7
Sorry, I can't discuss prices but as I already mentioned WD Re is an enterprise drive designed for RAID/NAS (Multi-HDD environments), whilst WD Black is our desktop performance drive for gaming and high-end software apps.
If you can afford the latter or the WD Blue, I'd go with them instead. This way you will have your peace of mind and you'd be using the drives in correspondence to their initial purposes.

Keep me posted with the decision! Hope that helped!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[lorddavid]

thanks for the quick answer, Yes, originally I was going for the Blue drive because I just need for storage, but I saw those RE4 Drive with 2tb, and they seems good for the price, that is why I have doubt :/

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

thanks for the quick answer, Yes, originally I was going for the Blue drive because I just need for storage, but I saw those RE4 Drive with 2tb, and they seems good for the price, that is why I have doubt :/

A thread you should check before making the decision: http://www.overclock.net/t/1267434/wd-re4-desktop-use-in-non-raid-bad
There's a user that gives a pretty good explanation about the TLER feature. But keep in mind, though, that the function to disable TLER is no longer available on the drives.

I guess you have quite a few links to look over and think of questions. If there's anything, let me know!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[lorddavid]

I read everything about TLER, wha I understand is that feature make the drive to try to recover an error, its 7 in RAID because the RAID controller drops the drive after 8 seconds. In a consumer drive is 30 second I read. And I was no thinking to disabled , just to make it 30 like consumer drives. But If cannot be modified is ok if that feature is not something that affect my data or PC

Ok, I will think it better, I have until the end of the day to make a decision. I will not do any RAID with this PC (Is a small pc, just for Light IT Work in my new business). RE4 Is pretty attractive because the 2TB. I will post my decision when I decided. Hope to make a good decision

 

[lorddavid]

Hi, just to update the thread. I received my two hardrives last week. A ssd and a RE4, so far everything is great, the RE4 is just for storage, but is more faster than all my previos HD, verything is great in my pc with those drives. . Thanks for your helphelp

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi, just to update the thread. I received my two hardrives last week. A ssd and a RE4, so far everything is great, the RE4 is just for storage, but is more faster than all my previos HD, verything is great in my pc with those drives. . Thanks for your helphelp

Woo hoo! I'm glad to hear that, lorddavid!
Hope everything continues to work flawlessly in the future!

Best of luck & happy computing!
SuperSoph_WD