Western Digital has unveiled a brand-new model of its highly anticipated PCIe 4 SSD, placing it among the most affordable yet lightning-fast 8TB M.2 SSD options available on the market. While the brand-new option remains an expensive choice, it can save up to $220 compared to other 8TB drives.
The WD drive’s 2TB model holds the top spot in our comprehensive gaming SSD ranking, thanks to its impressive balance of performance and value. While an 8TB SSD may be attractive to serious gamers, it’s unlikely to be a wise investment for many enthusiasts, given that modern motherboards often support dual or triple M.2 SSD configurations.
While the WD Black SN850X stands out in the market for its massive capacity, the 8TB model’s PCIe 4 interface and TLC NAND combination deliver impressive performance, boasting sequential read speeds of up to 7,200MB/s and write velocities of 6,600MB/s. Moreover, it offers robust random read and write IOPS of 1,200K, making it a top contender for users seeking a high-capacity SSD. While these figures may not break any records, they do represent a solid increase in performance compared to previous PCIe 3 solutions.
With an impressive capacity comes a substantial write endurance of 4,800 terabytes written (TBW), implying that the drive can be fully utilized and wiped approximately 600 times before NAND storage degradation occurs. While the five-year guarantee is standard for solid-state drives, considering the product’s high performance and competitive price point, a more comprehensive warranty would be an attractive differentiator.
The drive is available in variants with or without a heatsink, priced at £55 extra for the former in the UK’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). While exact figures are unavailable, the base model’s cost stands at $849, with no available data on the premium’s added price in USD. While it’s true that this significant sum is substantial, many other larger models come with a significantly higher price tag. While the Sabrent Rocket 8TB retails at a steep $1,069, its competitor, the 8TB Corsair MP600 Professional, offers more value with a price tag of just $941? Unlike competitors solely providing high-end products, Teamgroup and XPG offer drive options at similar price points.
While considering a more budget-friendly option, consider the opposing SN850X alternatives, which offer excellent value, including the 2TB model we reviewed, ideal for anyone seeking an affordable boot or gaming drive.
