Our Take
WD_BLACK's SN850X is a PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive built for gamers and enthusiasts wanting a noticeable step up from budget SSDs. This 1TB heatsink model targets desktop PC builds and PS5 upgraders, sitting in the upper-mid tier of the consumer NVMe market rather than at the absolute bargain end.
Key Features
PCIe Gen4 x4 interface with up to 7,300 MB/s sequential read speed
M.2 2280 form factor, compatible with PS5 storage expansion slots
Pre-fitted aluminium heatsink for thermal management under sustained load
Game Mode 2.0 software feature aimed at reducing load-time inconsistency
WD_BLACK Dashboard software for drive health monitoring and firmware updates
TLC NAND with SLC caching for faster burst write performance
Our Verdict
Worth buying if you want a fast, PS5-ready Gen4 drive from a trusted name and don't mind paying a bit more for it. If you're on a tighter budget or don't need top-tier speeds, a cheaper Gen4 drive without the branded heatsink will likely serve just as well.