This article covers ウエスタンデジタル(Western Digital) WD Red SATA SSD 内蔵 500GB 2.5インチ (読取り最大 560MB.

Overview

Western Digital's WD Red series has long been a trusted name in network-attached storage (NAS) environments. The WD Red SA500 WDS500G1R0A-EC is a 2.5-inch SATA SSD that delivers sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and write speeds up to 530MB/s, with a 500GB capacity that fits entry-level to mid-range NAS builds perfectly. What sets this drive apart is its NAS-optimized firmware and 24/7 continuous-operation design. Unlike general-purpose desktop SSDs, the WD Red SA500 is tuned for RAID arrays and multi-drive concurrent access, prioritizing data integrity and long-term reliability. The 5-year manufacturer warranty adds extra peace of mind for always-on storage systems. While the SATA 6Gbps interface limits peak bandwidth compared to modern NVMe SSDs, most NAS enclosures still rely on SATA ports, making this drive exceptionally compatible. Its low power draw and minimal heat output also make it a great match for compact NAS chassis and home servers.

Compatibility Guide

The WD Red SA500 is a 2.5-inch SATA SSD with a Serial ATA-600 (SATA 6Gbps) interface. It fits standard 2.5-inch drive bays and is only 7mm thick, so it works with most NAS hot-swap trays and desktop mounting brackets. Compatible systems include Synology, QNAP, ASUSTOR, and other major NAS brands that support 2.5-inch SATA drives, as well as mini PCs like Intel NUC and ASUS PN series that have a SATA port. However, systems with only M.2 NVMe slots cannot use this drive — always check your storage interface before purchasing. For RAID configurations, Western Digital recommends using identical drives (same model and capacity). The SA500 supports RAID 0/1/5/6/10 and works seamlessly with most NAS management interfaces.

Product Info

The WD Red SA500 WDS500G1R0A-EC was launched in 2019 and sits in the mid-range market segment. It's designed as a drop-in upgrade from entry-level HDDs for home and small-office NAS users. Key specs include sequential read 560MB/s, sequential write 530MB/s, random read up to 95,000 IOPS, and random write up to 85,000 IOPS. It uses 3D TLC NAND flash and features a DRAM cache for consistent performance. The 500GB model has a TBW rating of 350TB, which translates to roughly 191GB of writes per day over five years. The warranty is 5 years or until TBW is reached, whichever comes first. Pricing typically falls around $50–60 USD (or ¥5,000–7,000 JPY), making it competitively priced against other NAS-oriented SATA SSDs.

Best Use Cases

Home NAS users: Ideal for file servers, media streaming (Plex, Jellyfin), and photo backup. The SSD's silence and faster random access compared to HDDs make daily use much snappier. However, if you need 4TB+ of storage, HDDs offer better value per gigabyte. Small-office NAS administrators: In multi-user environments where HDDs become a bottleneck, the SA500 improves concurrent file access. Pair it in RAID1 or RAID5 for redundancy. For write-heavy database servers, consider enterprise-grade SSDs instead. * Silent PC builders: With no moving parts, this drive is completely silent. If your motherboard lacks M.2 slots or you need extra SATA storage without noise, the SA500 is a solid data drive choice. For OS duty, an NVMe drive is still recommended for faster boot and load times.

Things to Consider

The SATA 6Gbps interface caps sequential throughput far below NVMe SSDs. This drive is not suitable as an OS drive or for workloads involving frequent large-file transfers — NVMe is the better choice there. 500GB is relatively small for a NAS primary volume. Plan to use multiple drives in RAID or combine with a large HDD for bulk storage. If you need a single large volume, consider higher-capacity models or HDDs. Competitors like Crucial MX500 and Samsung 870 EVO offer similar raw performance but lack NAS-specific firmware tuning and 24/7 reliability guarantees. Conversely, the SA500 may be overpriced for general desktop use where those drives excel. ## FAQ
Q: Can I use this SSD as the OS drive in a desktop PC? A: Technically yes — it will be recognized and can boot Windows or Linux. However, SATA speeds are significantly slower than NVMe, so boot times and application loading will be noticeably longer. We recommend using an NVMe drive for the OS and reserving the SA500 for data storage or NAS duty. Q: What is the warranty period and TBW limit? A: The drive comes with a 5-year warranty, but coverage ends once the TBW rating of 350TB is reached. For typical NAS usage (a few hundred GB of writes per day), this provides ample headroom. Q: Is this drive compatible with Synology NAS? A: The WD Red SA500 appears on Synology's compatibility list for many models, but always verify with Synology's official list for your specific NAS model and DSM version. The same applies to QNAP, ASUSTOR, and other brands.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: ウエスタンデジタル(Western Digital)
  • ASIN: B081S59S6F
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.