Western Digital Unveils 8TB WD Black SN850X M.2 NVMe Gen 4 SSD

Western Digital quietly expanded its acclaimed WD Black SN850X series by introducing a robust 8TB variant SSD. This latest addition to the lineup marks a significant leap in storage capacity, doubling the previous maximum of 4 TB. The new 8TB drive is available in two versions: a bare drive without a heatsink, priced at $849 (model number WDS800T2X0E), and a version equipped with a PS5-compatible heatsink, priced at $899 (model: WDS800T2XHE).

Specifications and Features

The WD Black SN850X series has been known for its exceptional performance, and the 8TB model continues this tradition. It features a custom-designed controller by Western Digital and incorporates advanced 3D TLC NAND flash sourced from KIOXIA. While it is yet to be confirmed if the new variant uses the same 112-layer BiCS5 technology as the 4 TB version, the drive’s performance metrics are impressive.

Performance Metrics

• Sequential Reads: Up to 7200 MB/s
• Sequential Writes: Up to 6600 MB/s
• 4K Random Reads/Writes: Up to 1.2 million IOPS

These figures position the 8TB SN850X among the fastest consumer SSDs on the market. Notably, the sequential read speed is slightly lower than the 7300 MB/s achieved by the 4 TB variant, but this minor difference is unlikely to impact real-world performance significantly.

Endurance and Reliability

One of the standout features of the 8TB SN850X is its write endurance. The drive is rated for an impressive 4,800 terabytes written (TBW), ensuring long-term reliability even under heavy workloads. This endurance rating, coupled with Western Digital’s robust 5-year warranty, provides users with confidence in the drive’s durability and longevity.

Form Factor and Interface

The 8TB SN850X adheres to the M.2-2280 form factor, making it compatible with a wide range of devices, from desktop PCs to gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5. It leverages the PCI-Express 4.0 x4 interface, which offers substantial bandwidth improvements over the previous generation, ensuring that users can take full advantage of the drive’s high-speed capabilities.

Market Implications

The introduction of an 8TB SSD is a significant milestone in the storage industry. As data-intensive applications, high-resolution video content, and large game installations become more common, the demand for high-capacity storage solutions is increasing. Western Digital’s new 8TB drive meets this demand, offering a substantial capacity boost without compromising on performance.

Pricing and Availability

Priced at $849 for the bare drive and $899 for the heatsink-equipped version, the 8TB SN850X is positioned as a premium offering. While the price point reflects its cutting-edge technology and high capacity, it remains competitive in the context of other high-end NVMe SSDs on the market.

Conclusion

Western Digital’s stealthy launch of the 8TB WD Black SN850X M.2 NVMe Gen 4 SSD represents a significant advancement in consumer storage solutions. With its blend of high capacity, top-tier performance, and excellent endurance, this new variant is set to become a preferred choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals requiring substantial storage space and speed. As the storage industry continues to evolve, Western Digital’s latest offering underscores its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with SSD technology.

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