Hello,
WD's own page specifies that the SATA III Caviar Black is recommended for consumer type RAID (which is what I need it for).
Since I'm using my computer as a power user, would going to a RE4 set-up be a significant advantage over Blacks?
What controller will they be attached to?
The answer to this may mean that consumer models are not viable, due to stability issues (why RE editions are used on hardware RAID controllers, as the recovery methodologies are different from the ICH on the logic board - OS controlled when disks are on the ICH, but the card takes over this function if used).
Now you can use RE models on an ICH without issue, and in theory, they're more reliable. But if you dig a bit deeper (i.e. take it apart and research the components used to make it), all that separates the RE versions from their consumer counterparts, is some added sensors and different firmware (mechanics are the same; platters, servos, and spindle motors). Keep in mind, I'm limiting this to WD products you're considering...
These days, the sensors are the only thing that would make any difference, and for say 4x disks, it likely won't matter (not a high vibration environment).
So if you're running them on the ICH, I'd use consumer models due to cost reasons (just make sure your backup system is up to snuff for what you're doing). Warranty is no different in this case (5 years either way).
Someone like nanofrog would be able to elaborate more on RAID setups. But the way I understand it, the RE4s would be recommended for use with hardware RAID systems (i.e. the disks are attached to dedicated hardware raid controller cards like Areca/Atto).
For software RAID (a RAID system set up in OS X), the Caviar Blacks should be fine.
Correct.
This is my understanding as well. Of course, RE4s should be more reliable since they are enterprise level but HDs are always tricky and unreliable.
Enterprise level may matter with some brands (cherry picked platters with other makes for enterprise vs. consumer; warranty period may differ as well, as a lot of consumer disks have been reduced to 3 years), but not so much with WD's in terms of the disks themselves (see above).
