WD Blue NVMe SN500 500 GB

[W1zzard]

The WD Blue NVMe is WD's new entry-level SSD using the M.2 PCIe x2 interface and 3D TLC flash. With a price of only $73 for the reviewed 500 GB version, it's one of the most affordable drives on the market that still delivers very decent performance. We saw no thermal-throttling, even when fully loaded and completely uncooled.

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[jabbadap]

Not bad, not bad at all. For that price I would say direct competitor to Crucial MX500 m.2 sata drives.

 

[bug]

Not bad for the price, but NVMe+DRAMless? Wth?!?!?

 

[ManofGod]

Not bad for the price, but NVMe+DRAMless? Wth?!?!?

Except that the picture is not an NVMe but a M.2 Sata interface.

 

[bug]

Except that the picture is not an NVMe but a M.2 Sata interface.

First of all, who cares about the picture?
And second, if you're talking about the picture on the first page, that's a pretty standard B+M keyed M.2 device

 

[ManofGod]

First of all, who cares about the picture?
And second, if you're talking about the picture on the first page, that's a pretty standard B+M keyed M.2 device

That is not a standard Keyed M.2 device, that is Sata specific. NVMe has only one key well Sata has two. However, perhaps they designed a new keying for the PCIe x 2 but, it sure looks exactly like the Sata M.2 interface, from my experience.

 

[newtekie1]

That is not a standard Keyed M.2 device, that is Sata specific. NVMe has only one key well Sata has two. However, perhaps they designed a new keying for the PCIe x 2 but, it sure looks exactly like the Sata M.2 interface, from my experience.

The keying for M.2 is kind of confusing. The two notches most commonly used are B and M. Most PCI-E x4 SSDs use the M key(so one notch), while PCI-E x2 and SATA seem to use B+M(two notches).

The official M.2 spec says the M notch is for PCI-E x4 or SATA, and the B notch is for PCI-E x 2 and SATA. So, really, SATA could use either one, and so could PCI-E. It makes it kind of a free for all.

 

[ironwolf]

That is not a standard Keyed M.2 device, that is Sata specific. NVMe has only one key well Sata has two. However, perhaps they designed a new keying for the PCIe x 2 but, it sure looks exactly like the Sata M.2 interface, from my experience.

Not according to the Wiki entry, the NVMe x2 versions have both B + M keying, the NVMe x4 versions only the M keying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

For example, M.2 modules with two notches in B and M positions use up to two PCI Express lanes and provide broader compatibility at the same time, while the M.2 modules with only one notch in the M position use up to four PCI Express lanes; both examples may also provide SATA storage devices. Similar keying applies to M.2 modules that utilize provided USB 3.0 connectivity.

 

[ManofGod]

Not according to the Wiki entry, the NVMe x2 versions have both B + M keying, the NVMe x4 versions only the M keying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

Hmmmm, interesting, I am guessing the x2 is a newer version then. Up until now, the only ones I have seen with 2 notches are the Sata versions.

 

[bug]

Hmmmm, interesting, I am guessing the x2 is a newer version then. Up until now, the only ones I have seen with 2 notches are the Sata versions.

Here's an article I keep going back to: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...e-interface-that-will-speed-up-your-next-ssd/

 

[EatingDirt]

Hmmmm, interesting, I am guessing the x2 is a newer version then. Up until now, the only ones I have seen with 2 notches are the Sata versions.

The first page clearly shows in specs that it is a NVMe x2. The sequential read results also clearly show that it's an NVMe drive and not on the SATA interface.

Spoiler

 

[newtekie1]

Woah, what happened with the BX500? I don't remember it being that bad before.

 

[Nihilus]

Just installed my WD Blue nvme. More speed than I will need for a long time and the price was fantastic. The lack of dram does not affect real world usage and still does damn well in synthetics.

 

[Vlada011]

Look my Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB is almost not recognizable on RVE10, mimicry.
Like chameleon. Excellent.

 

[bug]

Look my Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB is almost not recognizable on RVE10, mimicry.
Like chameleon. Excellent.

View attachment 122158

Neah, the orangey text is a dead giveaway

 

[Vlada011]

Anyway far better than EKWB M.2 Heatsink.
If I enable GPU Fan on 40-50% temps are better than with M.2 heatsink.
And GPU fan dead silent. If someone have GPU without silent fan mode up to 50C and M.2 in this position heatsink don't need because GPU with twin or triple coolers cool M.2.

I will install 20x20x5mm fan exactly on Controller, that's upper part near connector.
20mm fan fit exactly between DIMM slots and USB3.0 Connector, actually capacitor.
And only that spot is visible, GPU cover everything else.
PRO would be better than EVO/EVO Plus but it's 105 euro more expensive in my country in size I need.

 

[bug]

@Vlada011 I also don't feel the price premium on the Pro line is justified for what users typically need. Hell, last I bought a SSD I didn't think the premium on EVO was justified and I went Crucial. Of course, two months after I got my MX300, Crucial released the MX500, but that's another story.

 

[Vlada011]

Never mind, Crucial MX300 and MX500 are SATA III, difference between them is not recognizable.

 

[bug]

Never mind, Crucial MX300 and MX500 are SATA III, difference between them is not recognizable.

MX300 gets more sluggish as it fills up. But since I use mine as storage for stuff I rarely use, I'm ok. It's just about the feeling.

 

[Vlada011]

You shouldn't fill like that...
When Samsung 970 EVO Plus show up I knew that Samsung is pushed to drain more from 970 EVO and expect to launch 980 version within 6 months.
But we could wait forever than new series. Only I'm sorry because price of 970 PRO didn't dropped on price of EVO Plus but anyway we can't see difference between such drives.
Boot time is same as newest and best SATA III SSD as Samsung 850 EVO who still cost more than 860 EVO.
My motherboard need 30 seconds just to finish test all components described in User Manual, 30 seconds.
Than I wait 6-8 seconds more from moment when Q-Code LED give sign AA that everything is fine. OK that's Windows and I could cut that time with disable Welcome Screen and such things.
But nothing on this planet can't give boot time faster than 32-33 seconds and same is with SATA III SSD and NVMe M.2 SSD.

 

[eltano06]

i wanted to buy a 480/500/512gb m.2 sata drive but for the same price got this one.