Check out Will’s main site article here: https://www.servethehome.com/wd-red-smr-vs-cmr-tested-avoid-red-smr/

We tested the WD Red WD40EFAX drive that uses DM-SMR or SMR technology instead of CMR technology in a ZFS RAIDZ array. We did some basic performance tests to confirm the steady-state operation. We then took a 4-drive array of CMR drives, failed one drive out of the array, and timed the rebuild process using three CMR drives including the CMR /”EFRX/” WD Red 4TB model and then the SMR /”EFAX/” drive. The results were so bad and so scary for a potential user, that we cannot recommend that people purchase these drives.

We discuss how iXsystems seems to have confirmed a similar, but different scenario/ issue and is de-certifying the drives for ZFS and FreeNAS use.

We also show how the lack of clear disclosure on just how bad this can get is dangerous for those who do not follow tech trends religiously (e.g. most NAS buyers in this segment.) Spread the word to avoid these drives and make sure to get the CMR variants instead.

Other articles referenced in this video:
– Surreptitiously Swapping SMR into Hard Drives Must End: https://www.servethehome.com/surreptitiously-swapping-smr-into-hard-drives-must-end/
– Recovering from a recent Proxmox VE double-disk failure: https://www.servethehome.com/9-step-calm-and-easy-proxmox-ve-boot-drive-failure-recovery/
– ASRock Rack X470D4U Review: https://www.servethehome.com/asrock-rack-x470d4u-review-amd-ryzen-meet-server/

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