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Buffalo DriveStation DDR 3TB — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home External Hard DrivesBuffalo DriveStation DDR 3TB

Buffalo DriveStation DDR 3TB — image 1

Buffalo

Buffalo DriveStation DDR 3TB

Expert Review Analysis

Buffalo’s DriveStation DDR Ultra Fast 3TB is a desktop external hard drive that combines a 3.5‑inch HDD with a 1 GB DDR3 cache, delivering burst write speeds up to 408 MB/s. It ships with Buffalo Tools and supports Time Machine, targeting users who need high‑capacity storage with SSD‑like performance for small‑file workloads.

✓ Best for: The DriveStation DDR 3TB is best suited for desktop users who need a large 3 TB storage pool and frequently move small‑to‑medium files such as photos, videos, or project assets, and who benefit from fast cached transfers, Time Machine backups, or RAMDISK functionality.✗ Not ideal for: It is not ideal for users who require true SSD sustained speeds, need a portable or bus‑powered drive for travel, or prefer a metal‑finished enclosure with lower power draw.

Pros

✓Up to 400‑408 MB/s burst write speeds thanks to 1 GB DDR3 cache, delivering SSD‑like performance for small‑file transfers.
✓Large 3 TB capacity in a desktop 3.5‑inch form factor provides ample storage for media libraries.
✓

Price History

Current

$124.99

Average

$124.99

Lowest

$124.99

Highest

$124.99

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#1,277Best#1,222Worst#1,277 -49

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating3.2/ 5Reviews237

Specifications

Connectivity

External InterfaceUSB 3.0/3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A or micro B)

USB Data Rate5 Gb/s Gb/s

USB Ports1 port

Design

Dimensions127 x 45.7 x 203.2 mm

Weight2.21 lbs g

Portable Weight220 g g

Enclosure MaterialBlack plastic

OrientationHorizontal or vertical placement

Features

Transfer Speed BoostUp to 2.3x faster than standard USB 3.0 drives

SSD-like Transfer SpeedsUp to 408 MB/s write

General

BrandBuffalo

ManufacturerBUFFALO

ModelHD-GD3.0U3

ColorBlack

Release Date2019-09-05

Performance

Cache1 GB DDR3 RAM GB

Write Speedup to 408 MB/s MB/s

Read Speed800 MB in 6.2 seconds

Drive InterfaceSATA 3 Gb/s Gb/s

Power

Max Power Consumption18 W W

Average Power Consumption12 W W

Power Saving Mode3.8 W W

USB Power Consumption5.75 W W

Software

Supported OSWindows 8/8.1/7/Vista/XP (32/64-bit), Mac OS X 10.7-10.9

Time Machine CompatibilityYes

Included SoftwareBuffalo Tools suite (backup utility, RAMDISK utility)

Storage

Capacity3 TB TB

Form Factor3.5-inch desktop

Dimensions & Weight

Height5.0 Inches

Width1.8 Inches

Depth8.0 inches

Weight2.21 pounds

Research Sources

cdn3.evostore.io

storagereview.com

microcenter.com

buffaloamericas.com

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User Reviews

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3.2

(237 reviews)

$124.99

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HD-GD3.0U3Black3 TB 3 Year Buffalo

External Hard Drives

Includes Buffalo Tools suite with backup utility, RAMDISK feature, and native Time Machine support for macOS.

✓Versatile chassis can be positioned upright or flat, and is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

✓Three‑year warranty offers extended protection compared to typical one‑year drives.

Cons

✗Performance advantage diminishes for files larger than the 1 GB cache, resulting in lower speed gains on large transfers.
✗Heavy power consumption, peaking at 18 W and requiring an external power adapter, limits portability.
✗Plastic enclosure is basic and prone to fingerprints, giving a less premium feel than metal‑cased competitors.
✗Sustained transfer rates are still limited by HDD mechanics, lagging behind true SSDs for continuous large‑file workloads.
✗Dimensions and weight (≈1 kg) make the unit unsuitable for frequent transport or travel use.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓StorageReview highlights the 1 GB DRAM cache delivering up to 375 % faster transfers compared with standard USB 3.0 externals.
✓Professional reviewers praise the inclusion of Buffalo Tools and native Time Machine support for macOS users.
✓The drive’s solid build quality for its price point is noted as a positive by editors.

Criticized by Experts

✗Reviewers note that the speed advantage drops significantly when transferring files larger than the 1 GB cache, reducing overall performance.
✗Professional opinions point out that the plastic chassis feels less premium than higher‑end competitors.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Consumers appreciate the rapid backup of large photo collections, such as 800 MB of images transferred in just a few seconds.
✓Users find the drive easy to set up on both Windows and macOS platforms, with seamless Time Machine integration.
✓The large 3 TB capacity is frequently mentioned as a good value for storing extensive media libraries.

Users Complain About

✗Everyday users report that the unit runs warm during extended use and the high power draw can increase electricity costs.
✗Customers note that the black plastic case attracts fingerprints and feels less durable than metal alternatives.
✗Some users find the external power adapter inconvenient for desktop setups where portability is desired.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the DriveStation DDR for its impressive 1 GB DRAM cache that yields up to 375 % faster transfers than typical USB 3.0 drives, and they appreciate the bundled Buffalo Tools and macOS Time Machine compatibility. However, they caution that the speed boost fades on large files and note the plastic chassis feels less premium than higher‑end offerings.

What Users Say

Everyday users praise the drive’s ability to back up large photo and video collections in seconds and value the straightforward Windows and macOS setup, especially the Time Machine support. Recurring complaints focus on the unit’s warm operation, high power consumption requiring an external adapter, and the fingerprint‑prone plastic enclosure.

Common Complaints

Common complaints include reduced performance on files larger than the 1 GB cache, noticeable heat and high power consumption during extended use, and a plastic case that easily shows fingerprints and feels less robust.

How It Compares

vs. WD Elements / Seagate Backup Plus (Standard USB 3.0 3TB)

Advantages

✓Up to 2.3× faster burst write speeds due to 1 GB DRAM cache.
✓Includes Buffalo Tools software and native Time Machine support.
✓Three‑year warranty provides longer coverage than typical one‑year warranties.

Disadvantages

✗Requires external power adapter, whereas many standard drives are bus‑powered.
✗Plastic enclosure is less rugged than some competitor housings.
✗Sustained transfer rates still limited by HDD mechanics, similar to competitor.

Choose Buffalo for faster cached performance and extra software; choose standard drives for simple, portable, bus‑powered solutions.

vs. LaCie Rugged (cached competitor)

Advantages

✓Offers comparable cache‑driven speed boosts at a lower price point.
✓Provides a larger 3 TB capacity in a desktop form factor.
✓Includes Buffalo Tools suite for backup and RAMDISK.

Disadvantages

✗Lacks the ruggedized metal housing and shock resistance of the LaCie Rugged.
✗Requires an external power supply, while LaCie Rugged can be bus‑powered.
✗Plastic enclosure is more prone to fingerprints than LaCie's rugged design.

Buffalo is a cost‑effective choice for desktop use with fast cached transfers; LaCie Rugged is better for mobile or harsh‑environment scenarios.