HUS728T8TALE6L4 WD Ultrastar HC320 8TB SATA: Decode and Fit
The HUS728T8TALE6L4 is a Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC320 8TB SATA drive carrying the HGST part-number format, which is why it turns up under two brand names. This covers what it is, how to decode the number, and what to check before buying.
What is the HUS728T8TALE6L4?
A 3.5 inch, 8TB, SATA 6Gb/s enterprise nearline drive from the Ultrastar DC HC320 family. 7200 RPM class, conventional magnetic recording, 512e sector format, air filled, rated for continuous operation in capacity tiers.
The HUS prefix is the HGST convention that Western Digital kept after acquiring the Ultrastar line. So the same drive is listed as HGST in older material and Western Digital in newer. Our HGST brand guide covers that transition.
Decoding the HUS728T8TALE6L4 part number
Ultrastar part numbers encode the specification, which makes near-identical numbers different drives.
HUS728T — the product family and generation.
8TAL — 8TB capacity.
E6L4 — SATA interface, 512e sector format, and the firmware/feature variant.
The sibling HUS728T8TAL4204 is the same drive in SAS with 4Kn format. Same family, different interface, different sector format, not interchangeable. Our part numbers guide covers reading vendor codes, and our sector format guide covers why the E and 4 matter.
Is the HUS728T8TALE6L4 CMR?
Yes. Ultrastar DC HC320 drives use conventional recording and are suitable for RAID, NAS and array workloads. Our SMR vs CMR guide covers why that needs confirming at 8TB, where SMR consumer drives compete on price.
Where does it fit?
Three situations.
8TB capacity tiers in servers behind an HBA, or in NAS units on the compatibility list. Our drive class guide covers enterprise drives in NAS units.
Matching an existing HC320 or HGST 8TB array.
Where 512e is required and 4Kn is not supported by the platform.
It competes with the Seagate Exos 7E8 and Toshiba MG08 at the same capacity. Our MG08 8TB guide covers the Toshiba SAS alternative.
What to check before buying
Four things.
SATA, not SAS. Confirm the suffix on the label is E6L4 and not 4204.
Sector format matches the array.
Firmware coding. Behind a Smart Array or PERC, a bare Ultrastar may be flagged; the vendor-coded 8TB equivalent is safer there. Our OEM guide covers this.
Carrier, generation-matched for hot-swap. Our caddies guide covers this.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HUS728T8TALE6L4 HGST or Western Digital?
Both. The HUS prefix is the HGST convention that Western Digital kept after acquiring the Ultrastar line. Older material says HGST; newer says Western Digital. Same drive.
Is the HUS728T8TALE6L4 SATA or SAS?
SATA 6Gb/s, 512e. The sibling HUS728T8TAL4204 is SAS 4Kn. Confirm the suffix on the label.
Is the Ultrastar DC HC320 CMR?
Yes. Conventional recording, suitable for RAID, NAS and array workloads.
Is it good for a Synology or QNAP NAS?
Yes if on the vendor compatibility list. It is SATA and CMR. Enterprise drives run hotter and louder than NAS-class drives, which matters in an office.
Will it work in an HPE or Dell server?
Behind an HBA, yes. Behind a Smart Array or PERC that validates firmware, a bare Ultrastar may be flagged; the vendor-coded equivalent is safer. Needs the correct carrier either way.
What is the difference between E6L4 and 4204?
E6L4 is SATA 512e. 4204 is SAS 4Kn. Same family and capacity, different interface and sector format, not interchangeable.
Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC320
HUS728T8TALE6L4 8TB SATA 512e Enterprise Hard Drive
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