English

New SSDs “for gamers”: WD Black SN750 SE and D30 Game Drive

Jun 10, 2021

418

Western Digital has introduced new SSDs for the now huge gaming sector. The WD Black SN750 SE is an internal M.2 NVMe SSD without DRAM. The WD Black D30 Game Drive is an external SSD that is also available as a variant for the Xbox including a monthly subscription for the Game Pass Ultimate.

WD Black SN750 SE

The new WD Black SN750 SE should not be confused with the older SN750. Because the new version with the abbreviation “SE” uses a completely different technology. The Phison E19T controller with PCIe 4.0 x4 and NVMe 1.4 is used, although it does not have its own DRAM cache – a trend that, according to Western Digital, will establish itself in the mainstream segment.

Despite the fast interface, which allows SSDs with data transfer rates of over 7 GB/s, the SN750 SE achieves a maximum of 3,600 MB/s, which roughly corresponds to the maximum of PCIe 3.0 x4. According to the manufacturer, the maximum write rate (in SLC mode) of the variants with 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB storage space is 1,000 MB/s, 2,000 MB/s and 2,830 MB/s. The performance values are above the WD Blue SN550 (test) without DRAM and overall, especially when writing, slightly below the SN750 with DRAM. Compared to its predecessor, the SN750 SE should require around 30 percent less energy in the “MobileMark 2018 Average Active Power test”.

WD Black SN750 SE SSD models 250 GB 500 GB 1 TB form factor M.2-2280 interface PCIe 4.0 x4 (NVMe 1.4) controller Phison E19T NAND 3D TLC (96 layers, BiCS4) DRAM – Seq. Read 3,200 MB/s 3,600 MB/s Seq. Write 1,000 MB/s 2,000 MB/s 2,830 MB/s Optional Read 190K IOPS 360K IOPS 525K IOPS Optional Write 240K IOPS 480K IOPS 640K IOPS Guarantee 5 years TBW 200 TB 300 TB 600 TB Price (WD) 63 € 96 € 186 €

The WD Black SN750 SE can now be pre-ordered in the Western Digital Store at prices of around 63 euros, 96 euros and 186 euros and should be “available from selected Western Digital dealers, e-tailers, resellers and system integrators from summer 2021”. The prices in the WD shop currently appear high based on comparable products on the market, but should be significantly undercut if there is broad availability in the free trade.

WD Black D30 Game Drive SSD (for Xbox)

The WD Black D30 Game Drive is designed as an external mass storage device with internal SSD technology (from the WD Blue series), which, according to Western Digital, is primarily intended for console gamers. In this way, depending on the version, these receive 500 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB of additional storage space for games. The connection is made via a USB-C to USB-A cable, whereby USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 with 10 Gbit/s is supported. With a maximum of 900 MB/s according to Western Digital, the maximum of the interface is not exhausted.

The D30 Game Drive measures 96 × 35 × 58 mm (L × W × H) and weighs 125 grams without the bracket with which the data carrier can be set up next to the console. In addition to Windows (from 8.1) and macOS (from 10.11), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S are to be supported. However, due to the technical limitations, games of the next-gen consoles can only be archived; older titles can also be played directly.

The WD Black D30 Game Drive for Xbox has a slightly different design. Apart from the official certification for Microsoft's Xbox game consoles and a 1-month membership for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with access to more than 100 games, there are no differences. When asked, Western Digital confirmed that the technology is identical to the other D30 Game Drive.

The normal WD Black D30 Game Drive SSD can now be ordered from Western Digital at prices of 154 euros, 247 euros and 412 euros. The prices are surprising here too, as the significantly faster WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD is even cheaper. The WD Black D30 Game Drive SSD for Xbox costs a little more from the manufacturer at 162 euros, 259 euros and 432 euros and should be delivered from June. In the free trade, however, lower prices can also be expected for these products.

“Gaming” is just marketing for SSDs

The so-called “gaming” SSDs differ technically not different from other SSDs. Therefore, they are not particularly suitable for this area of application and other SSDs with similar performance, but without a “gaming” seal, do the tasks just as well. As in many other areas, it is primarily optical things such as the design or RGB lighting effects that turn the product into a “gaming” product.

Update 31.05.2021 11:23 am

When asked by the editorial team, Western Digital has confirmed that it is a fourth generation 3D TLC NAND (BiCS4 with 96 layers). The information has been added to the table above.

Update 06/10/2021 2:27 pm

In an information event in front of media representatives, Western Digital confirmed that the new WD Black SN750 SE is not will replace the older WD Black SN750. The SN750 will continue to be sold in parallel.