The WD_BLACK SN770 is a budget-oriented PCIe 4.0 SSD that remains a sensible gaming-PC upgrade if your system has a compatible M.2 slot and you want fast everyday game loads without paying for a premium drive. It is not the fastest Gen4 option, and its lack of an included heatsink and its design make it a poor pick for a PS5 upgrade.
What the WD_BLACK SN770 is—and what it is not
The SN770 is an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD using PCIe 4.0 x4 and NVMe 1.4. Western Digital lists sequential read speeds of up to 5,150MB/s for the top capacities. It is a mainstream drive aimed at PC gamers, not a flagship built to lead every performance chart. Tom’s Hardware characterizes it as delivering up to 5.15GB/s throughput and 800,000 random IOPS; those figures are review/specification context, not a promise that every workload will reach the same result. Tom’s Hardware’s review and Western Digital’s product information describe the drive and its capabilities.
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For gaming, the SN770’s appeal is the balance: Gen4-class performance for a PC, with capacities up to 2TB. A premium SSD can offer higher peak throughput or better results in sustained workloads, but those advantages do not automatically translate into meaningfully shorter game loads. The SN770 is a credible workhorse choice when value matters more than top-of-chart performance, as Tech Advisor’s review also concludes.
Which SN770 capacity should you buy?
Capacity affects both the drive’s rated performance and its endurance. The 1TB and 2TB models have the highest listed sequential read speed; the 250GB model is rated substantially lower. Specifications below are from Tom’s Hardware’s 2022 review. Launch MSRPs are included only as historical context, not current prices.
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
| Capacity | Sequential read | Sequential write | Endurance rating | 2022 launch MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250GB | Not stated by Tom’s Hardware | Not stated by Tom’s Hardware | 200TBW | $59 |
| 500GB | Not stated by Tom’s Hardware | Not stated by Tom’s Hardware | 300TBW | $79 |
| 1TB | Up to 5,150MB/s | Up to 4,900MB/s | 600TBW | $129 |
| 2TB | Up to 5,150MB/s | Up to 4,850MB/s | 1,200TBW | $269 |
TBW means terabytes written: it is the manufacturer’s endurance rating for the amount of data written over the drive’s life, not a prediction of when an individual SSD will fail. All four listed capacities carried a five-year warranty in the 2022 specifications. See Tom’s Hardware’s capacity and warranty specifications for the figures above.
Choose 1TB for a typical gaming library
For a gaming PC with an operating system, several frequently played games, and room for updates, 1TB is the practical middle ground. It has the top listed read rating and 600TBW endurance. If it is your only drive and you regularly keep a large installed library, consider 2TB instead.
Rank #2
- Zoom past load times and take on new challenges with blazing-fast speeds of up to 5,150MB/s (1TB and 2TB models). Based on read speed. 1MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary based on host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. Data Transfer Rate: 0 MB/s.
- The WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD with a PCIe Gen4 interface fuels in-game responsiveness, minimizes stutter, and delivers smoother streaming for improved performance that you can see and feel. PCIe Gen4 storage technology requires a compatible motherboard. The WD_BLACK SN770 is backwards compatible with PCIe Gen3.
- With up to 2TB of capacity, you can store all the latest games, upcoming updates, and downloadable content. 1GB = 1 billion bytes, 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be lower depending on operating environment.
- Featuring advanced thermal management technology to maintain consistent performance, this reliable drive comes in an M.2 SSD form factor that's compatible with the latest motherboards and laptops.
Choose 2TB if you want more space and higher write endurance
The 2TB model doubles the 1TB model’s capacity and rated endurance to 1,200TBW, while retaining the same 5,150MB/s maximum read rating. Its listed maximum write speed is slightly lower than the 1TB model’s. Whether that difference matters depends on workload; for a game library, capacity is usually the more useful distinction.
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The lower-capacity models can suit a secondary drive or a tight budget, but their endurance ratings are lower and the 250GB model is rated much slower. The supplied specifications do not state their exact sequential read and write ratings, so do not assume they match the 1TB and 2TB versions.
Rank #3
- Get into the game fast as you zoom past load times with blazing speeds of up to 5,150MB/s(1) (1TB and 2TB models).date transfer rate:5150.0 megabytes_per_second.Specific uses: Gaming
- Equipped with a PCIe Gen4 interface(4), the WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD helps fuel in-game responsiveness, minimize stutter, and provide smooth streaming for a performance boost you can see and feel.
- Get tons of space for your latest games, future updates, and downloadable content with capacities up to 2TB(2).
- Supports future games developed for Microsoft’s DirectStorage technology for faster load times.
- Optimize peak performance in gaming mode and monitor your drive’s health with the WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) so you can game with confidence using this reliable drive from a trusted brand.
Will the SN770 work in your PC or laptop?
The drive uses the common M.2 2280 form factor, but physical fit alone is not enough: the computer must have an open M.2 slot that supports NVMe storage. Check the motherboard or laptop manual for slot support, available space, and whether the slot is PCIe 4.0.
- PCIe 4.0 x4 host slot: This is the interface needed to approach the drive’s rated maximum speeds.
- PCIe 3.0 host slot: The SN770 is backward-compatible and should operate in a compatible NVMe M.2 slot, but the older interface limits throughput below PCIe 4.0 performance.
- Other M.2 slots: M.2 describes a form factor, not guaranteed NVMe support. Confirm that the slot supports PCIe/NVMe rather than only SATA, and verify the system’s M.2 length support.
In a laptop or compact PC, check the available clearance and cooling arrangement before installation. The retail SN770 does not include a heatsink. A compatible M.2 heat spreader may help in a thermally constrained installation, but whether one is needed depends on the system and airflow. Tech Advisor’s review notes the missing heatsink and the drive’s thermal considerations.
Rank #4
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- TRANFORM YOUR PC: Insane speeds up to 7,300MB/s (1TB - 4TB models) deliver top-tier performance with ridiculously short load times for your gaming PC or workstation — for the elite experience you’ve been waiting for.
- MORE ROOM FOR MORE GAMES: Capacities up to 8TB built with SANDISK TLC 3D NAND, means you get to keep more games at the ready — and get into the action even faster.
Should you put the SN770 in a PS5?
Do not choose the SN770 for a PS5 just because its M.2 2280 shape fits. Tech Advisor advises against treating it as a PS5 upgrade, citing concerns around its host-memory-buffer (HMB) design and speed-limit requirements. The PC-oriented value case does not establish console suitability. For a PS5 expansion, use a drive that meets Sony’s current published requirements and follow its installation and cooling guidance; the cited review does not recommend the SN770 for that role. Tech Advisor’s review discusses the PS5 concern.
What HMB means for everyday use
The SN770 uses host-memory buffer technology rather than onboard DRAM. HMB lets the SSD use a small amount of the host system’s memory for mapping data. Tom’s Hardware documents this design, and Tech Advisor discusses it in the context of the drive’s value and PS5 suitability. For a PC gamer, this is not a reason by itself to reject the SN770; it is one distinction to consider against premium alternatives, particularly if your work involves sustained storage-heavy tasks rather than typical game installs and loads.
Useful software after installation
WD’s SSD Dashboard can monitor drive health and endurance, install firmware updates, and enable Game Mode. Dashboard features are management tools; they do not change the drive’s interface limits or turn it into a faster product tier. Tom’s Hardware’s review describes the Dashboard features.
- Install the SN770 in a compatible M.2 NVMe slot and confirm that the system detects it.
- Install WD SSD Dashboard from Western Digital and check the drive’s health and endurance information.
- Use the utility’s firmware-update function when an update is offered for your model.
- Enable Game Mode if you want that optional setting; it is not required for the drive to store or run games.
How to decide whether it is worth buying
- It fits your PC: Your system has a compatible M.2 NVMe slot, and you understand that PCIe 3.0 will limit throughput.
- You want a value-focused gaming SSD: The SN770 offers strong mainstream Gen4 performance, but it is not the fastest Gen4 drive.
- You choose capacity for your library: For most gaming PCs, compare 1TB and 2TB based on space needs; the 2TB model also has twice the rated endurance of the 1TB model.
- You have a cooling plan: No heatsink is included, so check whether your motherboard or laptop provides adequate cooling or requires a separate compatible heat spreader.
- You are not buying it for PS5: The available review guidance does not recommend it as a PS5 expansion drive.
Its launch prices—$59, $79, $129, and $269 for 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB respectively—are 2022 historical MSRPs, not current offers. Compare live prices and the cost per gigabyte when shopping; no current price is established here.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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