Is a WD_BLACK drive worth buying?
For gaming, yes. WD_BLACK today is mainly NVMe SSDs: the value SN770, the flagship SN850X (up to 8TB, heatsink option, and a PS5-licensed SN850P sibling), and the newer Gen5 SN8100. There are also WD_BLACK 3.5-inch HDDs for cheap game storage.
Match the model to your needs rather than buying on the brand alone.
The WD_BLACK SSD lineup
| Model | Interface | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SN770 | PCIe Gen4 (DRAM-less) | Budget gaming |
| SN850X | PCIe Gen4 | Flagship gaming, PS5 |
| SN8100 | PCIe Gen5 | Latest Gen5 boards |
Which to choose
- Best all-round: the SN850X (buy the heatsink version for a PS5).
- Tight budget: the SN770 gives strong Gen4 speed for less, accepting no DRAM cache.
- Gen5 board and want the newest: the SN8100, though Gen5 mainly helps heavy sequential work.
Pros, cons and the bottom line
Bottom line: the SN850X is the WD_BLACK to buy for most gamers and the PS5; drop to the SN770 for value or the SN8100 for Gen5. Compare by price per terabyte above.
- Pros: fast, wide model range, 8TB and PS5-licensed options, 5-year warranty.
- Cons: the SN770 lacks DRAM; flagship models carry a premium.