Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 14 TB — Enterprise 3.5-Inch Internal SATA Hard Drive (CMR)

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 14 TB is engineered for data-intensive data centers and enterprise workloads that demand massive capacity, dependable performance, and a lower total cost of ownership. Built for 24x7 operation, this 3.5-inch internal SATA hard drive delivers scalable storage expansion for archives, backups, virtualization, and cloud services. With industry-leading reliability, smart data protection features, and a design optimized for modern data centers, the HC550 helps organizations sustain growth while controlling operating expenses.

• Exceptional capacity for vast data growth. At 14 TB, the Ultrastar DC HC550 provides expansive storage for cold data archives, large-scale backups, and virtualized environments, enabling organizations to consolidate workloads and reduce the footprint of external storage solutions.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and durability. Designed for continuous 24x7 operation, this drive targets data center workloads with a focus on long-term reliability, steady performance, and robust error detection and correction to protect valuable information.
• CMR technology for consistent performance under load. Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) ensures predictable write and read efficiency even as drive utilization rises, which translates to stable latency and sustained throughput for enterprise applications.
• Broad compatibility with SATA-based infrastructure. The SATA 6 Gb/s interface (SATA/600) integrates seamlessly with existing servers, storage arrays, and RAID controllers, simplifying deployment and minimizing compatibility concerns in evolving data centers.
• Energy-efficient design reduces TCO. With enterprise-class efficiency and optimized duty cycles, the HC550 helps lower power consumption and cooling requirements, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Technical Details of Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 14 TB Hard Drive

• Capacity: 14 TB
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch internal hard drive
• Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA/600)
• Recording Method: CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording)
• Spindle Speed: 7200 RPM
• Target Workloads: Enterprise and data center environments requiring high-capacity, reliable storage
• Warranty and Support: Enterprise-grade warranty and service options (typical for Ultrastar products)

How to install Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 14 TB Hard Drive

• Power down the server or NAS and unplug the power cord before installing the drive.
• Ground yourself to prevent static electricity from damaging components.
• Open the chassis and locate an available 3.5-inch drive bay compatible with internal SATA drives.
• Insert the Ultrastar DC HC550 into the bay and secure it with screws or the retention mechanism used by your enclosure.
• Connect the SATA data cable to the drive and attach the SATA power connector from the power supply.
• Power on the system, enter BIOS/UEFI or your RAID controller configuration utility, and initialize or add the new drive to the appropriate array or volume as needed.
• In your operating system or storage management software, format the drive if required and verify proper health status and data accessibility.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Ultrastar DC HC550 14 TB best suited for?
  A: It is ideal for enterprise storage needs that require high-capacity, reliable, 24x7 operation—such as data centers, large backups, archival storage, virtualization, and cloud deployments.
• Q: What interface does this drive use?
  A: It uses a standard SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA/600) interface, enabling broad compatibility with most servers, storage arrays, and RAID controllers.
• Q: Does it use CMR technology?
  A: Yes, the Ultrastar DC HC550 employs Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) to deliver consistent performance under heavy workloads and with mixed read/write activity.
• Q: Can I replace drives in a RAID array with the HC550?
  A: Yes. The HC550 is designed for enterprise environments and can be deployed in RAID configurations. After installation, allow rebuild and verify health before resuming normal operations.
• Q: What kind of workload support should I expect?
  A: The drive is engineered for enterprise and data center workloads, delivering reliability, scalable capacity, and sustained performance suitable for virtualization, backups, and archival storage.