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Silver 3.5 inch bare SATA hard drive with exposed circuit board

Western Digital

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" internal hard drive

SKU CH-YAVX-Z63G6 MPN WD1600YS

A 160GB 3.5-inch SATA desktop drive spinning at 7200 RPM with 16MB cache, built for 24x7 reliability in RAID arrays

  • Total capacity160 GB
  • Interface typeSATA 3.0Gb/s
  • Form factor3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Packaging typeBare Drive
  • Rotational speed7,200 RPM
  • Cache memory16 MB
  • Enterprise-class reliability for 24×7 operation
  • 7200 RPM spindle speed with 16 MB cache
  • SATA 3.0 Gb/s interface for broad compatibility
  • 5-inch form factor fits standard desktop bays
  • 2 ms average latency for responsive access

Purpose-built enterprise drive

The Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS is a 160GB 3.5-inch internal hard drive built for 24x7 operation in servers and RAID arrays. It spins at 7200 RPM with a 16MB cache and connects via a SATA 3.0Gb/s interface. The drive targets system integrators and IT professionals who need proven reliability in high duty-cycle environments rather than maximum capacity.

Bare drive changes the setup

Supplied as a bare drive without cables, mounting screws or software, the WD1600YS requires the installer to provide a SATA data cable and a compatible power connector. The FlexPower connector accepts both legacy Molex and native SATA power plugs, simplifying power-supply compatibility. No bundled utilities or drivers are included; the drive relies on native operating-system support for SATA.

Straightforward mechanical install

Installation follows standard 3.5-inch drive bay procedures: secure the unit with four screws, attach the data and power cables, and configure the BIOS or RAID controller. The 4.2ms average latency and fluid dynamic bearing motor keep vibration low, but the bare packaging means no anti-static bag or rails are provided. Builders should verify that their chassis has a free 3.5-inch bay and that the RAID controller supports time-limited error recovery to avoid drive fallout.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in 3.5-Inch Internal Desktop HDDs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $35.99
Cheaper than about 90% of the 4,938 comparable items (median $107.99).
Total capacity 160 GB
Lower than about 94% of the 2,372 comparable items (median 2 TB).
Price per TB $224.94 per TB
Pricier than about 81% of the 2,365 comparable items (median $62.21 per TB).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameWestern Digital
Product lineCaviar RE
Model nameWD1600YS
Total capacity160 GB
Performance
Rotational speed7,200 RPM
Mean latency4.2 ms
Storage
Cache memory16 MB
Ports & slots
Interface typeSATA 3.0Gb/s
Size & build
Form factor3.5 in (8.89 cm)
Shipping weight0.45 kg
Package size146 × 102 × 30 mm

Questions about this item

Will the 16MB cache need replacement later?

The 16MB cache is built into the drive and does not require separate replacement; the whole unit is serviced if it fails.

What limit appears first during continuous 24x7 operation?

The SATA 3.0Gb/s interface caps sustained transfer rates before the 7200 RPM platters reach their own ceiling.

How much noise and heat does the fluid dynamic bearing motor produce when running all day?

The fluid dynamic bearing motor reduces vibration and noise while the improved power controller keeps heat and power draw low during 24x7 use.

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