Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD Review

Table of Contents

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

Introduction

The Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD is a high-performance drive aimed at gamers and content creators who demand the best possible speeds and responsiveness. With its blistering read and write speeds, PCIe Gen4 interface, and a built-in heatsink, the SN850 promises to deliver a smooth and seamless experience for even the most demanding applications.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll put the WD_BLACK SN850 through its paces, exploring its features, performance, and real-world usage. We’ll also discuss its strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs.

Features

The WD_BLACK SN850 is packed with features designed to enhance performance and reliability:

• PCIe Gen4 Interface: This latest generation interface enables blazing-fast read and write speeds, significantly outperforming older PCIe 3.0 drives.
• 7000MB/s Read & 5100MB/s Write Speeds: These impressive speeds ensure lightning-fast loading times, application launches, and data transfers.
• All-In-One Heatsink Design: The integrated heatsink helps keep the drive cool under heavy load, preventing throttling and ensuring sustained high performance.
• WD_BLACK Dashboard Software: This software provides monitoring and management tools for your drive, allowing you to track its health, temperature, and performance.
• 5-Year Limited Warranty: Western Digital backs the SN850 with a comprehensive warranty, providing peace of mind.

Performance

The WD_BLACK SN850 lived up to its performance promises. In our tests, it delivered consistently high read and write speeds, exceeding its advertised specifications. This translates to incredibly fast loading times for games and applications, as well as rapid data transfer speeds. We found the drive to be particularly impressive in scenarios that require high sustained write speeds, such as video editing and large file transfers.

The integrated heatsink effectively kept the drive cool, even during prolonged periods of heavy use. We didn’t experience any performance throttling, ensuring a consistent and smooth user experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional read and write speeds
• Built-in heatsink for effective cooling
• WD_BLACK Dashboard software for monitoring and management
• Compatible with PS5 for enhanced gaming performance
• Reliable and durable with a 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Higher price compared to PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs
• May not be necessary for users who don’t require the absolute fastest speeds

Final Verdict

The Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD is a top-tier drive that excels in performance and reliability. Its blistering speeds, effective cooling, and comprehensive software make it an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone seeking a significant upgrade to their storage system. While it comes at a premium price, the SN850 delivers on its promises and provides a truly remarkable user experience.

If you’re looking for the absolute fastest speeds available and are willing to invest in the best, the WD_BLACK SN850 is highly recommended. However, if your needs are less demanding, a PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD may be a more cost-effective option.