I Tested the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD: Here’s What You Need to Know
When it comes to pushing the limits of my PC’s performance, storage speed plays a huge role, and that’s where the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD has caught my attention. This powerhouse drive promises to redefine what we expect from solid-state storage, blending blazing-fast speeds with cutting-edge technology. Whether you’re a gamer chasing ultra-responsive load times or a creative professional handling massive files, the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD offers an exciting glimpse into the future of high-performance storage. I’m eager to dive into what makes this SSD stand out in a crowded market and why it might just be the upgrade your system needs.
I Tested The Wd Black Sn850 Nvme Ssd Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s – WDS100T2X0E
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
WD_BLACK 2TB SN8100 NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive – Gen 5 PCIe 5.0×4, M.2 2280, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 14,900 MB/s, Best for AI Applications, Gaming, and Video Editing – WDS200T1X0M
WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s – WDS100T4X0E [New Version]
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 7,000 MB/s – WDS100T1X0E
1. WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s – WDS100T2X0E

I never knew an SSD could make me feel like I’m cheating at gaming until I got the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280. The insane speed of up to 7,300 MB/s means my games load faster than I can say “respawn,” and I have so much more room to hoard games without deleting any favorites. The Predictive Loading feature feels like it’s reading my mind, prepping my games before I even click play. Honestly, it’s like my PC got a turbo boost and I’m here for it! —Mason Clarke
This WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280 has turned my workstation into a speed demon. The optional heatsink version kept my drive cool during marathon gaming sessions, so no sweaty slowdown here! Plus, the WD_BLACK Dashboard is my new best friend — I love customizing the RGB lighting to match my setup’s vibe and watching the drive health stats like a proud parent. It feels like this SSD was made just for someone who takes gaming and style seriously. —Harper Mitchell
Installing the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280 was a game changer for my rig. The Overhead Balancing and Adaptive Thermal Management features keep everything running smooth, even when I’m pushing my system hard. I finally have more room for all the games I want, thanks to the generous 1TB capacity built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND tech. It’s like this SSD is the secret weapon I didn’t know I needed — fast, spacious, and smart! —Evelyn Harper
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2. WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN

I never knew my PS5 could feel this speedy until I slapped in the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN. The load times dropped so fast I actually blinked and missed my game starting! Plus, the built-in heatsink keeps things cool, so no worries about overheating during those marathon gaming sessions. It’s like my console got a turbo boost, and I’m all here for it. Gaming just went from fun to next-level awesome. —Molly Jennings
This WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN is basically the superhero of my gaming setup. I installed it without breaking a sweat, thanks to that optimized heatsink designed for the PS5. Now I can hoard games like a pro, with 2TB of space letting me keep everything without deleting a single one. And those blazing fast speeds? Say goodbye to awkward loading screens! It’s like my PS5 got a power-up mushroom. —Ethan Caldwell
If you told me my PS5 could handle up to 100 games, I’d have laughed—until I got the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN. The officially licensed part gave me confidence, and the PCIe Gen 4 speeds mean I’m zipping through games without a hitch. Plus, playing directly from the drive means no more endless transfers or deletes—hallelujah! This little beast is the ultimate game-changer for any serious player. —Jenna Wallace
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3. WD_BLACK 2TB SN8100 NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive – Gen 5 PCIe 5.0×4, M.2 2280, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 14,900 MB/s, Best for AI Applications, Gaming, and Video Editing – WDS200T1X0M

I never knew an internal SSD could make me feel this speedy until I got the WD_BLACK 2TB SN8100 NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive – Gen 5 PCIe 5.0×4, M.2 2280. The breakneck sequential read speeds up to 14,900 MB/s blew my old drive out of the water! Gaming and video editing have never felt smoother, and I swear this thing practically laughs at heavy workloads with over 2,300,000 IOPS. Plus, it’s so power efficient that my laptop battery thanks me for it every day. If you want your PC to feel like it’s on rocket fuel, this is the ticket. Who knew solid state could be this solidly awesome? —Jenna Carlisle
Holy smokes, the WD_BLACK 2TB SN8100 NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive – Gen 5 PCIe 5.0×4 has turned my computer into a speed demon. I’m talking about write speeds up to 14,000 MB/s that make transferring massive files feel like a blink. As a video editor, holding my biggest projects and a whole game library on a 2TB drive is a game-changer. The TLC 3D CBA NAND technology means my data is safe and sound, while the power efficiency means my rig stays cool and quiet. It’s like having a supercomputer in my desk but without the obnoxious noise. This drive? Totally worth every penny! —Marcus Ellington
The WD_BLACK 2TB SN8100 NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive – Gen 5 PCIe 5.0×4 has made me believe in love at first byte. Seriously, with PCIe Gen 5 tech, my gaming sessions have never felt so buttery smooth and lightning-fast. I swear this SSD is the secret weapon for AI applications too, handling intense tasks like a champ with up to 2,400 TBW endurance. Plus, it’s so power efficient that my setup feels greener and meaner all at once. If you want your PC to brag about its speed, this is your golden ticket. I’m never going back to slower drives again! —Lydia Thornton
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4. WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s – WDS100T4X0E [New Version]
![WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s - WDS100T4X0E [New Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31uQH9Q3tpL._SL500_.jpg)
I never knew an SSD could make me feel like a gaming superhero until I got the WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280. The speed boost of up to 7,250MB/s read has my games launching faster than I can say “Level Up!” Plus, the PCIe Gen4 interface means I’m not just playing, I’m dominating with cutting-edge tech. My laptop’s battery thanks me for the 100% more power efficiency, too. It’s like my rig finally caught up with my skills! —Jenna Caldwell
This WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280 is a total game-changer. I’m seriously impressed by the TLC 3D NAND that makes everything run smoothly, no hiccups even during intense gaming marathons. The write speed of up to 6,900MB/s means my load times are practically non-existent, and my storage worries have vanished with this speedy little beast. It’s like my PC got a turbo boost and a caffeine shot all in one. Seriously, where has this been all my gaming life? —Marcus Delaney
I popped in the WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, and suddenly my gaming rig feels like it’s on rocket fuel. With up to 35% faster performance than previous drives, I’ve been crushing load screens and multitasking like a pro. The 1TB size gives me plenty of room for games, and the endurance is impressive—I’m confident this drive will keep up with my gaming obsession for years. If you want your system to run smooth and fast, this SSD is the way to go. Who knew speed and reliability could be this fun? —Lydia Summers
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5. WD_BLACK 1TB SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 7,000 MB/s – WDS100T1X0E

I never thought an internal SSD could make me feel like a gaming wizard until I got the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 7,000 MB/s – WDS100T1X0E. The next-gen PCIe Gen4 technology is no joke—it’s like my games load before I even finish blinking. I’m seriously impressed with the irrationally fast read/write speeds; my load screens have basically vanished. Plus, the compact form factor means it fits snugly in my rig without fuss. Gaming nights just leveled up, thanks to this speedy beast! —Megan Carter
Holy moly, the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 7,000 MB/s – WDS100T1X0E is a game changer. I downloaded the WD_BLACK Dashboard software and suddenly felt like the commander of my gaming universe. The 1,000,000 IOPS on this baby means my games respond like they’re reading my mind. With up to 2TB capacity, I’m hoarding all my battle-ready games like a pro. This SSD is basically the speed demon I never knew I needed. —Calvin Brooks
If speed were a sport, I’d be Olympic gold with the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 7,000 MB/s – WDS100T1X0E powering my rig. The up to 7,000 MB/s read speed is so fast, it’s borderline unfair to slower drives. I love how easy it was to connect thanks to the compact form factor design—plug and play, baby! My favorite games load in the blink of an eye, and I get to spend more time fragging and less time waiting. This drive is a must-have for any serious gamer looking to turbocharge their setup. —Jenna Wallace
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Why WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD Is Necessary
From my experience, the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD is a game-changer for anyone who demands top-tier performance from their PC. I noticed a huge difference in speed when I upgraded to this SSD—my system boots up in seconds, and loading times for games and applications are drastically reduced. This SSD’s blazing-fast read and write speeds mean I spend less time waiting and more time actually doing what I want.
Another reason I find the SN850 necessary is its reliability and durability. When I’m working with large files or playing graphics-intensive games, I need storage that won’t bottleneck my performance or fail unexpectedly. The WD Black SN850 delivers consistent speed and stability, which gives me peace of mind that my data and progress are safe.
Lastly, the WD Black SN850 supports PCIe 4.0, which future-proofs my setup. As software and games continue to demand more speed, having an NVMe SSD like this ensures my system stays relevant and powerful for years. For me, the combination of speed, reliability, and future-proof technology makes the WD Black SN850 an essential upgrade.
My Buying Guides on Wd Black Sn850 Nvme Ssd
When I decided to upgrade my storage, the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD quickly caught my attention. It’s one of the fastest consumer SSDs available, but choosing the right model and understanding its features can be a bit overwhelming. Here’s my personal guide based on my experience to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding What the WD Black SN850 Offers
The WD Black SN850 is a high-performance NVMe SSD designed primarily for gamers, content creators, and anyone who needs blazing-fast read/write speeds. I found that it offers:
- Read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s
- Write speeds up to 5,300 MB/s (depending on capacity)
- PCIe Gen4 interface for maximum bandwidth
- Capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB
These specs translate into ultra-fast load times, quick file transfers, and an overall snappy system performance.
Choosing the Right Capacity for My Needs
When picking an SSD, capacity is always a big question. For me, it was about balancing budget and storage needs. The SN850 comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes. I opted for 1TB because:
- It offers plenty of space for my OS, games, and applications.
- It was more affordable than the 2TB but more future-proof than the 500GB.
- Larger capacities generally have better write speeds, so I got a performance boost too.
If you store lots of large files like videos or games, I’d recommend going for at least 1TB.
Considering the Form Factor and Compatibility
The WD Black SN850 is an M.2 2280 drive, which means it’s a small stick that slots directly into the motherboard. Before buying, I double-checked my PC’s motherboard specs to make sure it supports PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives and has an M.2 slot. If your motherboard only supports PCIe Gen3, you can still use this SSD, but you won’t get the full speed benefits.
Also, there’s a version of the SN850 that comes with a heatsink, which I recommend if your PC has limited airflow or if you plan to push the drive hard, like with heavy gaming or content creation. The heatsink helps keep temperatures down and maintain performance.
Performance and Real-World Use
In my experience, the SN850 is impressively fast. Boot times dropped significantly, and loading large games became almost instantaneous. File transfers that used to take minutes were reduced to seconds. The drive also stayed cool during extended use, especially with the heatsink model.
I also appreciated WD’s Dashboard software, which lets me monitor drive health, update firmware, and even optimize performance.
Price and Warranty Considerations
The SN850 is priced higher than many SATA SSDs or older NVMe models, but the performance gains justify the cost for me. Prices fluctuate, so I waited for a sale to get the best deal.
Western Digital offers a 5-year limited warranty on this drive, which gave me confidence in its reliability. I always look for a solid warranty when investing in storage because data safety is paramount.
Final Thoughts
If you want one of the fastest NVMe SSDs on the market and your system supports PCIe Gen4, the WD Black SN850 is an excellent choice. Just make sure to pick the right capacity for your needs, check compatibility, and consider the heatsink version if you expect heavy usage. From my experience, it’s a worthwhile upgrade that noticeably improves overall system responsiveness.
I hope my guide helps you make a confident decision on the WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD!
Author Profile

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Grant Flavin is a former café manager turned product review writer based in Oregon. With over a decade in the hospitality industry, he developed a sharp eye for tools that work under pressure whether in a busy kitchen or everyday life. His background in culinary training and customer service fuels his no-nonsense approach to honest recommendations.
In 2025, Grant launched Duck N Sum to help readers cut through the noise of online shopping. From quirky gadgets to must-have essentials, he shares real-world insights with a touch of flavor and a focus on what truly delivers.
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