Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12GBPS 512MB HDD WUH722016CL5204

Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB Enterprise HDD Overview

The WUH722016CL5204 Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB hard drive is a high-capacity, high-reliability storage solution tailored for enterprise environments. Built on a helium-sealed platform and equipped with advanced features like 7,200 RPM rotational speed, SAS 12Gbps interface, and a 512MB cache buffer, this 3.5-inch drive delivers outstanding performance and dependability for data centers, hyperscale environments, and enterprise storage systems. Engineered for sustained workloads, the HC555 series drives offer the resilience and efficiency needed to meet the data-intensive demands of modern enterprise infrastructures.

Key Features of the Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB SAS HDD

Helium-Filled Technology

The Ultrastar DC HC555 drive leverages HelioSeal® technology, a helium-filled platform that reduces internal turbulence and power consumption while increasing drive density. This results in improved reliability, lower operating temperatures, and more efficient performance compared to traditional air-filled drives.

Enterprise-Grade SAS 12Gbps Interface

The WUH722016CL5204 features a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12Gbps interface, enabling faster data throughput and superior scalability in server and storage arrays. SAS connections are preferred in enterprise environments for their enhanced data integrity, dual-port failover support, and robust error correction mechanisms.

Large 16TB Capacity with 512e Sector Format

With an impressive 16TB of storage capacity, this Ultrastar drive provides ample space for massive datasets, virtual environments, big data analytics, and archival storage. The 512e (Advanced Format) sector size improves disk capacity utilization and maintains compatibility with legacy applications and systems.

7,200 RPM Performance and 512MB Cache Buffer

Operating at a standard 7,200 RPM rotational speed, combined with a generous 512MB buffer, the HC555 ensures fast data access and consistent performance. The large cache size supports faster read/write operations, ideal for read-intensive and mixed-use enterprise workloads.

Ideal Applications for the Ultrastar DC HC555

Data Centers and Cloud Storage Infrastructure

The Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB is designed with hyperscale data centers and cloud providers in mind. Its high density, energy efficiency, and enterprise reliability make it a perfect fit for building scalable and sustainable storage pools for object storage, distributed file systems, and backup services.

Enterprise Server Storage Arrays

Organizations that rely on SAN/NAS systems, virtualization platforms, or mission-critical applications benefit from the Ultrastar DC HC555’s robust performance and endurance. Its SAS 12Gbps interface ensures compatibility with leading storage enclosures and RAID configurations.

Archival and Cold Storage Solutions

For workloads that involve storing large volumes of infrequently accessed data—such as compliance archives, medical imaging, or video surveillance footage—the HC555 offers cost-effective, high-capacity storage that supports long retention periods with low power usage.

Technology Behind the Ultrastar DC HC555 Platform

HelioSeal® Platform Benefits

The HelioSeal technology used in the HC555 significantly reduces drag on the drive platters, lowering power consumption by up to 40% compared to air-filled drives. This makes it possible to pack more platters in a 3.5" form factor, resulting in higher capacity drives without increasing drive size or thermal output.

Energy Efficiency

With typical idle power usage under 5W, the HC555 offers a compelling blend of high capacity and low energy use, making it a top choice for energy-conscious data centers focused on lowering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Low Vibration and Noise

The helium-sealed design minimizes internal airflow, which reduces vibration and acoustic output, helping maintain data integrity and drive longevity in large RAID deployments and dense server racks.

Dual-Port SAS for Redundancy and High Availability

The dual-port SAS architecture provides redundant data paths that ensure uninterrupted access in high-availability environments. This is particularly critical in data center and enterprise systems that demand 24/7 uptime.

Advanced Reliability and Workload Ratings

The HC555 is rated for 2.5 million hours MTBF and supports 550TB/year workload rate, which positions it as one of the most reliable high-capacity drives available. This makes it ideal for deployment in environments where data durability is paramount.

Compatibility and Integration with Storage Systems

Compatibility with Enterprise Enclosures

The WUH722016CL5204 is compatible with major server vendors and OEM storage platforms that support SAS drives. Its standard 3.5-inch form factor ensures seamless integration into rack-mounted chassis and JBODs.

RAID and Redundancy Support

This drive is fully compatible with RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and 50), enhancing fault tolerance and performance depending on your redundancy and speed requirements.

Backward-Compatible SAS Connectivity

The SAS 12Gbps interface is backward-compatible with 6Gbps controllers, providing flexibility for legacy infrastructure upgrades without needing to replace the entire storage system.

Data Security and Protection Features

Secure Erase and Sanitization Options

Enterprise data security is enhanced with instant secure erase (ISE) and format options that comply with enterprise sanitization standards, allowing for quick, secure drive decommissioning.

Optional SED (Self-Encrypting Drive) Versions

The HC555 platform also offers models that support TCG Enterprise encryption for organizations with strict data security policies. These versions provide hardware-based encryption for data-at-rest protection.

The WUH722016CL5204 Ultrastar DC HC555 16TB

Proven Track Record in Enterprise Reliability

Western Digital's Ultrastar drives are known for their enterprise-class durability, performance, and scalability. The HC555 continues this legacy, with enhancements to power efficiency, areal density, and rotational vibration tolerance.

Superior Performance for Mixed Workloads

Whether running file servers, mail servers, or large-scale analytics platforms, the HC555 delivers fast and consistent I/O performance with support for heavy mixed workloads, transactional databases, and virtual machine environments.

Cost-Effective High-Density Storage

The combination of high capacity, helium-filled efficiency, and enterprise-grade features provides an excellent price-per-gigabyte ratio—especially valuable for growing data sets in scalable environments.

Specifications Snapshot

• Capacity: 16TB
• Interface: SAS 12Gbps
• Cache Buffer: 512MB
• Form Factor: 3.5 Inch
• Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM
• Sector Size: 512e
• Helium-Sealed: Yes
• MTBF: 2.5 Million Hours
• Workload Rate: 550TB/year