WD_BLACK SN850X
PCle 4.0 Performance | Game Mode 2.0 | Thermal Management
Introduction
The WD_BLACK SN850X represents Western Digital’s flagship PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, designed for enthusiasts seeking top-tier storage performance. Released as an upgrade to the acclaimed SN850, this drive targets gamers, content creators, and power users who prioritize speed, capacity, and reliability. As PCIe 4.0 adoption grows, the SN850X positions itself as a competitive option in the high-performance SSD market, balancing cutting-edge specifications with practical thermal management solutions.
Product Overview
The WD_BLACK SN850X is a single-sided M.2 2280 NVMe SSD available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. It leverages PCIe 4.0 technology to deliver sequential read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,600 MB/s, making it suitable for gaming rigs, workstations, and high-end laptops. Optional RGB-enabled heatsink models enhance thermal performance for sustained workloads. The drive includes WD’s proprietary Game Mode 2.0 software, which optimizes gaming performance through predictive loading and adaptive thermal management.
Key Features
PCIe 4.0 Performance
The SN850X maximizes PCIe 4.0 bandwidth, achieving sequential read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,600 MB/s. These metrics place it among the fastest consumer SSDs available, outperforming many competitors in both synthetic benchmarks and real-world gaming scenarios.
Game Mode 2.0
Exclusive to WD_BLACK SSDs, Game Mode 2.0 uses predictive algorithms to prioritize game asset loading, reduce latency, and balance system overhead. This feature is activated via the WD_BLACK Dashboard software, which also provides drive health monitoring and RGB lighting customization for heatsink-equipped models.
Thermal Management
The optional aluminum heatsink with RGB lighting mitigates thermal throttling during extended workloads, maintaining peak performance. Even under stress testing, the drive’s temperature remains stable at approximately 69°C, ensuring compatibility with consoles and compact systems.
Performance Analysis
Sequential Speeds
With sequential read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s and writes up to 6,600 MB/s, the SN850X exceeds PCIe 4.0 benchmarks set by earlier-generation drives. These speeds enable rapid game installations, large file transfers, and near-instantaneous level loading in DirectStorage-optimized titles.
Random Performance
The drive delivers up to 1.2 million random read IOPS and 1.1 million write IOPS, outperforming most PCIe 4.0 competitors in 4K workloads. This ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance in creative applications like video editing and 3D rendering.
Thermal Management
The SN850X’s controller and NAND layout optimize heat dissipation, while the optional heatsink reduces peak temperatures by up to 15°C. Users without dedicated motherboard heatsinks can maintain performance using the WD_BLACK Dashboard’s adaptive thermal throttling controls.
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
The SN850X is fully compatible with the PlayStation 5 when using the heatsink-equipped model. Sony recommends PCIe 4.0 drives with sequential read speeds above 5,500 MB/s for PS5 expansions, a threshold the SN850X surpasses by 32%. Installation requires formatting the drive via the PS5’s system menu.
Desktops and Laptops
The drive is backward-compatible with PCIe 3.0 systems, though maximum speeds are limited to 3,500 MB/s in such configurations. Its single-sided design ensures compatibility with ultra-thin laptops and mini-ITX builds. Windows 11 users benefit from native DirectStorage support for accelerated game loading.
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
Elite Gaming Performance: Outperforms rivals in game load times and latency metrics, particularly in titles like Call of Duty and Battlefield V.
Scalable Capacity: Available up to 4TB, providing ample storage for modern game libraries exceeding 200GB per title.
Constraints
Heatsink Requirements: Maximum performance in consoles and sustained workloads requires the optional heatsink, adding $20 to the base price.
Premium Pricing: While competitive within its class, the 4TB model carries a significant cost premium over PCIe 3.0 alternatives.
Conclusion
The WD_BLACK SN850X excels as a high-performance NVMe SSD for gaming and productivity use cases. Its combination of PCIe 4.0 speeds, advanced thermal design, and gaming-focused software optimizations make it ideal for PS5 upgrades, gaming PCs, and content creation workstations. While the lack of Xbox Series X/S compatibility and premium pricing may deter budget-conscious users, the SN850X remains a top-tier choice for enthusiasts prioritizing speed and reliability.
Works Cited
“WD Black SN850X SSD Review: Back in Black (Updated).” Tom’s Hardware, 13 Oct. 2022, www.tomshardware.com/reviews/wd-black-sn850x-ssd-review-back-in-black.
“WD Black SN850X Review.” PCGamesN, 5 Apr. 2024, www.pcgamesn.com/wd/black-sn850x-review.
“WD Black SN850X Review.” PCMag, 6 Sept. 2022, www.pcmag.com/reviews/wd-black-sn850x.
