In a nutshell: Western Digital has launched a sleigh full of latest storage gadgets simply in instances for the vacations, together with a brand new high-performance NVMe solid-state drive beginning below $60. The WD Black SN7100 is a PCIe Gen 4×4 DRAMless SSD concentrating on mainstream players. It options Western Digital’s newest TLC 3D NAND and is obtainable in 500 GB, 1 TB, and a couple of TB capacities.
The highest tier drive boasts sequential learn speeds of as much as 7,250 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s sequential writes, with random learn and write IOPS of 1000K and 1400K, respectively. In keeping with WD, this mannequin is 35 p.c sooner than the earlier era.
Efficiency usually scales with capability, and that’s the case right here as nicely. The five hundred GB drive, for instance, is a bit slower at 6,800 MB/s sequential reads and 5,800 MB/s sequential writes, and 760K random learn IOPS / 1200K random write IOPS.
Western Digital says the drives have been engineered with laptops and gaming handhelds in thoughts, and are as much as 100% extra energy environment friendly in comparison with final gen drives.
All fashions adhere to the M.2 280 type issue, come backed by a 5 12 months restricted guarantee, and weigh in at 5.8 grams. The two TB mannequin boasts a 1,200 TBW endurance ranking; the ranking of the opposite fashions was not talked about.
Because the title suggests, DRAMless SSDs are people who do not make the most of onboard reminiscence. Such drives are usually extra inexpensive than their DRAM-equipped counterparts as a result of they include fewer parts, however efficiency can typically undergo. Conversely, fewer components means much less energy consumption. In the end, all of it comes all the way down to figuring out what’s the finest match on your funds and the kind of computing you do most frequently.
Western Digital’s new solid-state drives can be found to pre-order now and are anticipated to ship within the coming weeks. Pricing is ready at $59.99 for the five hundred GB mannequin, $89.99 for the 1 TB variant, and $149.99 for the two TB drive. Western Digital teased a 4 TB mannequin that’s due out someday in 2025, however didn’t share any specs, potential pricing, or a extra particular launch window.
WD additionally introduced a brand new SanDisk-branded Excessive Professional moveable SSD with USB 4 connectivity, an 8 TB Excessive Moveable SSD, and a 2 TB WD Black C50 enlargement card for Xbox. Particulars on these and extra could be present in Western Digital’s press launch.