WF4GV Dell 20TB 7.2K RPM SAS-12Gbps 3.5inch 512e Format Internal HDD

Overview of Dell 20TB WF4GV 7200RPM SAS 12Gbps HDD

The DELL 20TB SAS internal hard disk drive is engineered for enterprise-grade storage environments that demand high reliability, massive data capacity, and consistent performance. Designed specifically for Dell 14th Generation PowerEdge servers, this 3.5-inch HDD with tray offers dependable large-scale storage for data centers, virtualization, cloud infrastructure, and business-critical applications. With advanced 512e sector formatting and a 12Gbps SAS interface, this drive ensures optimized throughput and long-term durability.

General Information

• Brand: Dell Technologies
• Manufacturer Part Number: WF4GV
• Dell Part Number: 161-BBUS
• Device Type: Internal Hard Disk Drive with Tray

Technical Specifications

• Total Capacity: 20TB
• Drive Size: 3.5 Inch 
• Sector Format: 512e Advanced Format
• Interface Type: Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)
• Interface Speed: 12Gbps
• Ports: 1 × SAS 12Gbps
• Supported Bays: 1 × Internal 3.5-inch Bay

Speed & Transfer Rates

• Rotational Velocity: 7200 Revolutions Per Minute
• External Data Transfer Rate: Up to 1200 MB/s
• Enterprise Optimization: Designed for continuous 24/7 operation

Server Compatibility

Supported Dell PowerEdge Models

• PowerEdge C6420
• PowerEdge R240
• PowerEdge R340
• PowerEdge R440
• PowerEdge R540
• PowerEdge R640
• PowerEdge R6415
• PowerEdge R740
• PowerEdge R740xd
• PowerEdge R740xd2
• PowerEdge R7415
• PowerEdge R7425

Supported Dell PowerVault Models

• PowerVault NX3240
• PowerVault NX440

The Dell WF4GV 20TB SAS-12Gbps 7.2K RPM 3.5inch HDD

The Dell WF4GV 20TB 7.2K RPM SAS-12Gbps 512e 3.5-inch Internal Hard Disk Drive with Tray is positioned within the high-capacity enterprise storage hardware category, designed specifically for modern data centers, virtualization clusters, hyperscale storage infrastructures, and mission-critical server environments. This category focuses on high-reliability mechanical drives engineered for sustained workloads, long duty cycles, and compatibility with enterprise-grade server platforms such as Dell PowerEdge 14th Generation systems. The 20TB capacity places this model among ultra-high-density storage solutions intended for organizations requiring large-scale data retention, backup repositories, and continuous operation under heavy I/O demand.

20TB Storage Capacity

Ultra-high-capacity 20TB hard disk drives belong to a specialized class of storage components engineered to maximize rack space efficiency while minimizing the number of drive bays required. Businesses operating large data warehouses, cloud storage environments, and content delivery networks benefit from dense storage media that reduces power consumption per terabyte and optimizes total cost of ownership. This category is characterized by large platter counts, advanced helium-sealed chambers in many models, and vibration-resistant construction to ensure consistent performance even in multi-drive arrays.

Ideal Data Types for 20TB Enterprise Drives

Large-capacity enterprise hard drives are commonly deployed for archival datasets, surveillance footage repositories, big data analytics clusters, enterprise backup targets, distributed file systems, and object storage platforms. These workloads demand consistent throughput and high durability rather than peak consumer-grade burst speeds, making 7.2K RPM SAS drives particularly suitable.

SAS-12Gbps Interface

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12Gbps interface is a defining feature of this storage category. SAS technology provides dual-port connectivity, advanced command queuing, higher reliability signaling, and superior error correction compared to consumer SATA interfaces. Enterprise servers leverage SAS connectivity for redundant data paths, failover configurations, and improved throughput under simultaneous read/write operations. The 12Gbps bandwidth ensures stable and predictable data transfer rates in multi-user environments.

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge 14G Servers

This drive category is engineered for seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge 14th Generation server architectures. These systems support hot-swap drive bays, advanced RAID controllers, and enterprise backplanes optimized for SAS devices. The included tray ensures physical compatibility, secure mounting, and proper airflow alignment within the chassis. This reduces installation time and eliminates the need for separate caddies or adapters.

Hot-Swap Functionality Benefits

Hot-swap support allows administrators to replace or upgrade drives without shutting down the server. This is critical in mission-critical environments where downtime translates directly into financial loss or service disruption. The presence of a pre-installed tray further simplifies maintenance procedures and ensures mechanical stability.

7200 RPM Rotational Speed

The 7.2K RPM rotational speed represents a balanced performance tier within the enterprise HDD ecosystem. While not as fast as 10K or 15K RPM drives, 7200 RPM models offer superior energy efficiency, reduced vibration, and increased capacity per platter. This makes them highly effective for bulk storage, nearline applications, and secondary tier data pools where capacity outweighs latency concerns. Enterprise 7.2K drives are optimized for continuous workloads and maintain consistent read/write speeds even under heavy multi-threaded access.

512e Sector Format HDD

The 512e (512-byte emulation) sector format is an essential compatibility feature within enterprise storage ecosystems. It allows modern high-capacity drives that internally use 4K physical sectors to emulate traditional 512-byte logical sectors. This ensures compatibility with legacy operating systems, RAID controllers, and enterprise applications that may not fully support native 4Kn formatting. The 512e format delivers improved error correction, better alignment, and enhanced data integrity without sacrificing backward compatibility.

3.5-Inch Form Factor

The 3.5-inch internal form factor remains the industry standard for high-capacity enterprise hard disk drives. This size enables manufacturers to incorporate multiple platters, larger motors, and advanced vibration dampening mechanisms. Enterprise chassis are designed around this dimension, ensuring compatibility across rack servers, storage arrays, and blade enclosures. The included tray aligns perfectly with Dell server drive bays, ensuring optimal airflow and secure placement.

Thermal Management Efficiency

Effective heat dissipation is critical in server environments. Enterprise 3.5-inch drives are built with materials and airflow channels that minimize internal temperature spikes, reducing the risk of thermal throttling and extending operational lifespan. Proper tray alignment ensures airflow from front-mounted server fans passes efficiently across the drive surface.

Scalability and Future-Proof

High-capacity enterprise drives enable scalable infrastructure planning by allowing organizations to expand storage pools without excessive hardware additions. As data generation continues to grow exponentially, 20TB class drives provide a forward-looking solution that supports long-term storage planning. Enterprises can reduce the number of physical drives needed while increasing total capacity, which directly impacts power efficiency, cooling requirements, and maintenance complexity.