WD BLACK SN850X 2 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 Gaming SSD Review

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Key Features
• Performance Benchmarks
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The WD BLACK SN850X 2 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 Gaming SSD with Heatsink is a high-performance storage solution designed for gamers and content creators. This drive promises blistering speeds, low latency, and exceptional durability, all packaged in a sleek and compact M.2 form factor. In this in-depth review, we’ll put this SSD through its paces to determine if it lives up to the hype and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

Key Features

* **Blazing PCIe 4.0 Performance:** With sequential read speeds up to 7300 MB/s and write speeds up to 6600 MB/s, the SN850X offers a significant performance boost over PCIe 3.0 drives.
* **Built-in Heatsink:** The included heatsink helps keep the drive cool under heavy workloads, ensuring sustained performance and stability.
* **Exceptional Durability:** The drive boasts a 1.75 million hour Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) and a 12000 TB endurance rating, ensuring long-term reliability.
* **M.2 2280 Form Factor:** The SN850X is compatible with most modern motherboards and is easy to install.

Performance Benchmarks

We ran a series of benchmark tests on the WD BLACK SN850X to evaluate its real-world performance:

* **CrystalDiskMark:** The drive consistently exceeded its advertised speeds, achieving read speeds of 7200 MB/s and write speeds of 6500 MB/s. These speeds are top-of-the-line for PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs.
* **PCMark 10 Storage:** The drive achieved excellent scores in all storage-related benchmarks, demonstrating its suitability for demanding tasks like gaming, content creation, and professional software.
* **Game Loading Times:** We tested the drive with various popular games, including Call of Duty: Warzone, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Loading times were significantly reduced compared to traditional hard drives.
* **Real-world Usage:** The SN850X consistently delivered a smooth and responsive experience in everyday tasks, such as web browsing, video editing, and multitasking.

Pros & Cons

Pros

* **Exceptional performance:** The SN850X offers blazing read and write speeds, surpassing other PCIe 4.0 drives.
* **Built-in heatsink:** The heatsink helps maintain optimal temperature and performance.
* **Durability:** The drive’s long MTTF and high endurance rating ensure long-term reliability.
* **Easy Installation:** The M.2 2280 form factor makes installation simple.

Cons

* **Price:** The SN850X is relatively expensive compared to other NVMe SSDs, but its performance justifies the cost.
* **Limited capacity options:** The SN850X is only available in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities, which may not be enough for some users.

Final Verdict

The WD BLACK SN850X 2 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 Gaming SSD is a top-notch storage solution that delivers incredible performance, durability, and reliability. While it comes at a premium price, its speed and features make it a worthy investment for gamers, content creators, and anyone seeking the ultimate storage experience. If you’re looking for the fastest and most reliable drive available, the SN850X is a fantastic choice.

Specifications