by 4 reviews.
Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD Review: A Reliable and Speedy Storage Solution
If you're looking to upgrade your system's storage with a fast, reliable, and energy-efficient SSD, the Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive is a strong contender. Designed for creators, professionals, and multitaskers, this PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD offers impressive read speeds of up to 4,150 MB/s, making it ideal for handling large files, editing 4K videos, and managing complex workflows. But how does it perform in real-world scenarios? Let’s dive into the details based on customer feedback.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
The WD Blue SN580 shines when it comes to speed and performance. Many users have praised its ability to deliver blazing-fast read and write speeds, even when used in older systems or external enclosures. One customer noted that while this SSD isn’t the fastest on the market, it still exceeds the bandwidth limitations of Thunderbolt 4/USB4 enclosures, achieving write speeds of over 2,775 MB/s and read speeds of over 2,850 MB/s. Another user compared it to their older SATA SSD and was blown away by the performance boost, with CrystalDiskMark results showing 3,533.3 MB/s read and 3,395.5 MB/s write speeds.
Pros:
- Excellent read/write speeds for everyday tasks and content creation.
- Performs well even in older systems with PCIe adapters.
- Ideal for Thunderbolt 4/USB4 enclosures due to its efficient bandwidth utilization.
Cons:
- Not the fastest SSD available, especially compared to PCIe 5.0 models.
- May not fully utilize its potential in systems with older PCIe generations.
Installation and Compatibility
Installation is straightforward, thanks to the M.2 2280 form factor. However, some users had to purchase PCIe adapters for older systems that lack M.2 slots. One reviewer shared their experience of installing the SSD in a 10-year-old computer using a PCIe Gen 2.0 adapter, noting that the SSD still delivered impressive speeds despite the older interface. The WD SSD Dashboard software also makes it easy to monitor drive health and performance, adding to the overall user experience.
Pros:
- Easy to install in modern systems with M.2 slots.
- Compatible with older systems using PCIe adapters.
- WD SSD Dashboard provides useful monitoring tools.
Cons:
- Older systems may require additional hardware (e.g., PCIe adapters).
- Some BIOS systems may not support booting from PCIe NVMe drives.
Build Quality and Durability
Western Digital has a long-standing reputation for reliability, and the WD Blue SN580 lives up to that legacy. Customers appreciate the SSD’s durable design and the 5-year limited warranty, which provides peace of mind. However, one user pointed out that their SSD arrived without the blue sleeve shown in product images. While this didn’t affect performance, it was a minor disappointment for those who value aesthetics and heat dissipation.
Pros:
- Durable build quality backed by a 5-year warranty.
- Energy-efficient design minimizes power consumption and heat.
- Reliable performance for long-term use.
Cons:
- Some units may ship without the blue sleeve, affecting aesthetics and heat dissipation.
Value for Money
The WD Blue SN580 strikes a great balance between performance and affordability. Many users highlighted its competitive price point, especially when compared to higher-end models like the WD SN850X. One customer mentioned that they saved money by choosing this SSD and plan to invest in a faster model only when upgrading to a Thunderbolt 5 enclosure in the future.
Pros:
- Affordable price for a high-performance Gen 4.0 SSD.
- Great value for creators and professionals.
- Energy-efficient design extends battery life in laptops.
Cons:
- Slightly slower than top-tier Gen 4.0 SSDs.
- Missing features like DRAM cache may deter power users.
Real-World Use Cases
The WD Blue SN580 has proven versatile across various use cases. One photographer praised its performance in a Raspberry Pi 5 setup, noting its speed and ample storage for photos and videos. Another user replaced the original storage in their mini PC and was satisfied with the SSD’s capacity and build quality. Whether you’re a content creator, gamer, or casual user, this SSD delivers consistent performance.
Pros:
- Versatile for gaming, content creation, and general use.
- Compact design fits seamlessly into laptops and mini PCs.
- Reliable for long-term storage and multitasking.
Cons:
- May not meet the demands of extreme power users or high-end gaming rigs.
Conclusion: Is the WD Blue SN580 Worth It?
The Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their storage without breaking the bank. It delivers excellent performance, especially for content creators and professionals, and its energy-efficient design makes it ideal for laptops. While it may not be the fastest SSD on the market, it offers a great balance of speed, reliability, and affordability.
Final Verdict:
- Strengths: Fast read/write speeds, durable build, energy efficiency, and competitive pricing.
- Weaknesses: Slightly slower than top-tier models, occasional missing blue sleeve, and limited compatibility with older systems.
If you’re looking for a reliable and speedy SSD that won’t break the bank, the WD Blue SN580 is a fantastic option. However, if you need the absolute best performance for high-end gaming or professional workloads, you might want to consider a more advanced model like the WD SN850X.
Specification Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen4 x4 PCIe 16Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 4,150 MB/s - WDS100T3B0E:
Comments from Amazon:
Western Digital Blue SN580 NVMe SSD 1TB Review I have a 10-year-old computer running Windows 10. The system drive has been upgraded from a mechanical hard drive to a Crucial MX500 SATA SSD. This really increased the boot-up speed and functioning of the computer. For the computer I was installing the SN580 NVMe SSD into, I had to purchase a M.2 NVMe PCI-E adapter because my 10-year-old computer does not have a M.2 slot. It does have an available PCI Express x16 (Gen 2.0) slot. The adapter I bought is backward compatible to Gen2.0. The NVMe SSD can only be used as a secondary drive in the computer I was installing it in because the computer’s BIOS will not boot from PCI-E. If the computer’s BIOS could boot from PCI-E I would have cloned the SATA SSD and made the NVMe SSD the system drive. INSTALLATION 1) After connecting the NVMe to your computer (remember, typically, the card is inserted into the slot at an angle and then gently pressed down and secured with a screw). 2) Power on the computer and go to Disk Management (Click the Microsoft logo in the lower left of the screen and type “Disk Management”.) 3) A dialog box will ask you to initialize the drive. Do so. 4) Locate the new SSD in the disk drive section. In the Unallocated section, right click and format the drive. After it’s complete, close Disk Management window and you’re new SSD should be ready to use. RESULTS In my situation, I connected the WD SN580 to the computer’s PCI-E X16 slot using an adapter. I was blown away at the read/write speeds compared to the Crucial MX500 SATA SSD (being used as the System drive). The NVMe SSD, using PCI-E adapter, had tremendous speed. For comparison, here are the CrystalDiskMark results for the two drives installed in the computer: Read Write Crucial MX500 SATA SSD: 285.1. 267.6 WD Blue SN580 NVMe: 3,533.3 3,395.5 Although not exactly a fair comparison because the two drives use different technologies, upgrading to an NVMe SSD in my situation was the right choice. FINAL THOUGHTS Installation was straightforward. The Western Digital SN580 NVMe 1TB SSD performed extremely well and has a very good price point. Also, Western Digital, at the company’s website, provides Acronis cloning software free of charge and no registration is required. I recommend this product.
The Western Digital 1TB NVMe SSD offers impressive speed and performance, with read speeds up to 4,150 MB/s making it perfect for both gaming and general use. The Gen4 x4 PCIe interface ensures rapid data transfer, significantly improving boot times and overall system responsiveness. Installation is straightforward with the M.2 2280 form factor, and the 1TB capacity provides ample storage for applications, games, and files. It’s a reliable choice for anyone looking to upgrade their system’s storage without breaking the bank. Overall, this SSD offers excellent speed, reliability, and value, making it a great choice for boosting your system’s performance.
works great in my Traveling Photographer Raspberry Pi-5 in a Geekworm X1005 "fanny pack" board (on the bottom of the Pi-5. Love the speed and how many photos and videos it holds!
Replaced the original storage of GMKTEC G3 mini pc. Works as expected. Storage capacity works as intended with good build quality. It's a great purchase based on price.
I recently purchased the Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD (WDS100T4B0E) and overall, I'm quite satisfied with its performance. The SSD delivers impressive read and write speeds, and it has significantly improved the performance of my laptop. That being said, the product didn't come as pictured. It is supposed to have a blue sleeve on it. I researched this and learned that it just depends on the batch the product comes out of. It isn't a common issue. The missing sleeve isn't necessarily a defect in the product. The sleeve has two purposes, one is for aesthetics (looks) and one is for heat dissipation. The reduction of heat dissipation due to the missing sleeve isn't very noticeable as my left palm rests on top of where the SSD is installed. I sometimes notice a little warmth, but the system fan kicks on and takes care of that immediately. The purpose of this review is to inform both Amazon and the consumer. I'm trying to help both entities in trying to mitigate returns due to the product not being shipped as pictured. I hope to reduce or eliminate unnecessary returns on the product to save both Amazon and the consumer the headache of returning it. That being said, I detracted the one star because the product not coming as pictured and not due to a defect or the product not working.
I've always had good luck with WD branded drives going waaaay back to the 1980s when I had a 10MB hard drive. Over my career I've seen fewer failures from WD than any other brand where a decent number were in service. This SSD works well. I hope this 35+ year track record continues...
I wanted a reliable, fast ssd for a thunderbolt 4/usb4 enclosure. After much research, I decided on this ssd. Yes, it's not the fastest ssd, and not the latest PCIe5. However, it delivers write/read speeds in excess of the bandwidth limitations. I'm getting write speeds of over 2775MB/s and read of over 2850MB/s. And, with the abundant hybrid cache, the sustained writes don't seem to recede. Super fast, with less temperature/power issues (than the top of the line, newer ssd cards). It delivers the same throughput as the newer, faster cards (which would max out at about the same level, due to the bandwidth limits). Saved some money, which is always a welcomed feature. In the near future, I'll spend the savings on a faster card (probably the WD SN850X) when I purchase a thunderbolt 5 enclosure. Very pleased with the specs and real world performance of this ssd. Five stars, definitely.