WD Black SN850X: high-end SSDs optimized for video games


A year ago, we were testing the WD Black SN850 SSDs, a high-end series with class-leading performance aimed — like all of WD’s Black products — at gamers and creators. The manufacturer is renewing its offer with a Black SN850X series expected in July, which will target the same target while obviously making some technical improvements.

No technical details were unfortunately communicated during the presentation, WD contenting itself with indicating that the maximum speed can reach 7.3 GB/s in sequential reading against 7 GB/s at best on the classic SN850s. We can nevertheless estimate that this increase is linked to the memory/controller couple. Thus, the 96-layer 3D NAND TLC Kioxia/WD memory chips have been replaced by the recent 112-layer chips, the fruit of the partnership between the two companies. The in-house G2 controller should also be renewed, so as to better stick to the latest competing SSDs which most of the time use Micron 176-layer memory and a Phison E18 controller.

Initiated on the SN850, the game mode (Gaming Mode) is now optimized on the SN850X. This feature, which simply takes the name of Gaming Mode 2.0, can be activated within the control center of the SSD, the Dashboard Center. Three new features are making their debut: Predictive Loading, Adaptive Thermal Management and Low Latency. Predictive Loading makes it possible to anticipate the files that must be used by the game in use. The data is then sent to the cache memory chip so as to speed up its processing when the time comes. The Adaptive Thermal Management promises better management of the flow according to the temperature of the various components, so as to avoid too brutal drops in transfer. Finally, the Low Latency system is a prioritization system. In game, the accesses of the applications running in the background will be executed in a secondary way, so as to favor the accesses of the game. In short, nothing exceptional in absolute terms: these modest optimizations will probably not offer much palpable or measurable, but could constitute an argument for some users.

The WD Black SN850X SSDs will be offered in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB. Expected during the month of July, their price will start at $190 (SN850X 1 TB) which is significantly higher than on the SN850 classics ($180 at launch, $150 currently). French pricing is not yet known. Finally, the 1 TB and 2 TB versions will be available in versions with an LED heat sink.



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