It is essential for optimal performance to have an SSD for gaming or editing software; while SATA SSDs are still effective, more and more gamers and editors are opting for M.2 SSDs due to their incredibly rapid speeds and superior responsiveness. This is especially important for programs that need to access and process data quickly, like software for making 3D animations or simulations for advanced games. In comparison to traditional SATA SSDs, M.2 SSDs can provide read/write speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s—up to five times faster—for a superior gaming and editing experience.
M.2 SSDs are a powerful storage solution, boasting incredible read/write speeds thanks to the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface. Compared to traditional SATA SSDs, this gives a huge performance boost, so games and programs can start up in a fraction of the time. For example, a 3GB game that used to take minutes to load can now be ready to play in seconds. This type of storage is perfect for any modern PC because it speeds up loading times and makes the whole experience smoother.
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When it comes to choosing an SSD, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. The table below gives a quick overview of some popular SSD options, including their interface type, form factor, range of capacity, and price range. By comparing different models, you can find the SSD that best meets your requirements and offers good value for your money.
| SSD Model | Read/Write Speeds | Performance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD Black SN850X | 7000/5300 MB/s | High-end | Gaming, content creation, heavy workloads |
| Samsung 980 Pro | 7000/5000 MB/s | High-end | Gaming, content creation, heavy workloads |
| Kingston Fury Renegade | 7000/5000 MB/s | High-end | Gaming, content creation, heavy workloads |
| Crucial P5 Plus | 6600/5000 MB/s | Mid-range | General use, light content creation |
| WD Black SN770 | 3500/3000 MB/s | Mid-range | General use, light gaming, office work |
The WD Black SN770 is an excellent option for those requiring quick and dependable storage. Its PCIe Gen4 x4 interface and NVMe technology enable it to deliver remarkable sequential read and write speeds along with superior random read and write performance. Additionally, its endurance rating is high, so it can tolerate extended write operations.
The WD Black SN770 is great for applications like gaming and making content, where fast and reliable storage is very important. Like the previous options, it does not include a heatsink.
That said, the WD Black SN770 may not be the most cost-effective option for everyone, though it may be one of the best options. if it is your first M.2 SSD, its price is accessible, and it is easy to install. A SATA SSD, like the WD Blue 3D NAND or the WD Green SSD, is another option for users who want even cheaper storage. These drives are not as fast as NVMe drives, but they can still offer good performance and reliability at a lower cost.
Specifications:
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB.
- Form factor: M.2 2280
- Sequential read speed: up to 5,150 MB/s
- Sequential write speed: up to 4,850 MB/s
- Random read (4 KB): Up to 740000 IOPS
- Random write (4 KB): Up to 800000 IOPS
- Endurance (TBW): 600 TBW for 1 TB model, 1200 TBW for 2 TB model
- MTTF (Mean Time To Failure): 1.7 million hours
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 80 mm x 22 mm x 2.38 mm
The WD Black SN770 also has a thermal heatsink to help get rid of heat and keep performance steady. This makes it an excellent choice for high-performance desktops and laptops.
