Product features
- Gain the ultimate gaming edge. Insane speeds up to 7,300MB/s (1TB - 4TB models) deliver top-tier performance with ridiculously short load times — for the elite gaming experience you’ve been waiting for.
- Heatsink for the win. All capacities have an optional heatsink version that's not only eye-catching, but also helps your rig maintain peak performance through your most intense gaming sessions.
- More room for more games. Capacities up to 8TB built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND, means you get to keep more games at the ready — and get into the action even faster.
- Do more with WD_BLACK Dashboard. The downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) monitors your drive’s health, lets you customize your RGB lighting, and, exclusively on the SN850X SSD, enables Game Mode 2.0 to transform your gaming experience.
- Future-forward features. The WD_BLACK SN850X SSD boasts a powerful suite of features, including Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management (ATM).
WD Black SN850X 4TB SSD Review
The WD Black SN850X 4TB SSD is a high-performance NVMe SSD designed specifically for gaming and demanding applications. It boasts impressive read and write speeds, robust thermal management, and a range of capacities to suit various needs. Here’s a detailed review of its features, performance, and overall value.
Performance
The WD Black SN850X 4TB SSD is equipped with a 4th Gen PCIe interface, which supports up to 7,300 MB/s read speeds and 6,600 MB/s write speeds. These speeds are among the highest in the market, making it an excellent choice for applications that require rapid data transfer, such as gaming, video editing, and streaming.
Thermal Management
One of the standout features of the WD Black SN850X is its advanced thermal management. The drive comes with an optional heatsink, which helps to sustain top-end performance by keeping the drive cool under load. In tests, the drive never breached 58°C under sustained load, significantly improving upon its predecessor’s thermal performance.
Capacity and Versatility
The 4TB capacity of the WD Black SN850X provides ample storage for large game libraries, video collections, and other high-capacity needs. The drive is available in various capacities, including 1TB, 2TB, and 8TB models, making it versatile for different user requirements.
Features
- Controller: WD’s own controller has been revised to enhance performance.
- NAND Memory: Upgraded from 96-layer TLC NAND to 112-layer models.
- Dynamic SLC Cache: Up to 2GB of DDR4 DRAM for improved performance.
- Thermal Management: Integrated heatsink for sustained performance.
- PCIe Gen4: Supports four lanes of PCIe connectivity.
- M.2 2280 Form Factor: Compact design for easy installation.
- Game Mode 2.0: Windows-specific feature for optimized gaming performance.
- DirectStorage Support: Enhanced performance for gaming and streaming applications.
Pros
- Blazing Speeds: Up to 7,300 MB/s read and 6,600 MB/s write speeds.
- Robust Thermal Management: Keeps the drive cool under load with the optional heatsink.
- High Capacity: Available in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities.
- Versatile: Suitable for gaming, video editing, and other demanding applications.
- Advanced Features: Includes Game Mode 2.0 and DirectStorage support for optimized performance.
Cons
- 4K Random Access Performance: Not stellar, but real-world performance is more relevant.
- Price: While competitive, the drive may not be the cheapest option in the market.
- Customer Service Issues: Some users have reported inconsistent customer service experiences.
Verdict
The WD Black SN850X 4TB SSD is an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-performance storage. Its blazing speeds, robust thermal management, and versatile capacity options make it a solid all-rounder. While it may have some minor drawbacks, the drive’s overall performance and features make it a top contender in the NVMe SSD market.
Features Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Controller | WD’s revised controller for enhanced performance |
| NAND Memory | Upgraded from 96-layer TLC to 112-layer models |
| Dynamic SLC Cache | Up to 2GB of DDR4 DRAM for improved performance |
| Thermal Management | Integrated heatsink for sustained performance |
| PCIe Gen4 | Supports four lanes of PCIe connectivity |
| M.2 2280 Form Factor | Compact design for easy installation |
| Game Mode 2.0 | Windows-specific feature for optimized gaming performance |
| DirectStorage Support | Enhanced performance for gaming and streaming applications |
| Capacity Options | Available in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities |
| Read Speeds | Up to 7,300 MB/s |
| Write Speeds | Up to 6,600 MB/s |