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Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive SSD Review: Speed, Style, and Durability Combined
The Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive SSD is a high-performance portable external solid-state drive designed for gamers who demand speed, style, and durability. With blazing-fast speeds of up to 2,000MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, this SSD ensures lightning-quick load times, giving you the edge over your competition. Whether you're gaming on a PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or Mac, the P40 is fully compatible and ready to enhance your gameplay.
Customize your gaming setup with RGB lighting that can be personalized using the WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only). Show off your unique style and make every gaming session truly yours. The compact, shock-resistant design is built to withstand drops of up to two meters, making it the perfect companion for gamers on the go.
With a 2TB capacity, you can store and access your favorite games, including the latest and largest titles, without worrying about running out of space. The P40 is not just fast and stylish—it’s also incredibly durable, ensuring your gaming library is always safe and ready to play.
Pros and Cons: What Gamers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
The standout feature of the WD P40 is its ultra-fast speeds, which have left gamers thoroughly impressed. One user raved, "From lightning-fast data transfer speeds to its impressive storage capacity, this device has exceeded all my expectations." Another gamer noted that the drive works seamlessly with their PC, Mac, and iPhone, making it a versatile choice for multiple devices.
However, some users pointed out that the drive’s performance is heavily dependent on the USB port version. A reviewer mentioned, "Performance is great if you have USB 3.0... Below that, it's a little slow but not bad." While the P40 shines on modern devices, older systems with USB 2.0 ports may not fully utilize its potential.
Design and Durability
The customizable RGB lighting and sleek design have been a hit among gamers. One user described it as "not only a powerhouse of performance but also an aesthetic addition to any setup." The compact, shock-resistant build has also been praised, with many appreciating its portability and durability.
However, some users reported that the RGB lighting doesn’t activate when connected to older devices like the Wii. Additionally, the drive can get quite hot during heavy file transfers, with one user noting temperatures reaching up to 140°F. While this hasn’t caused any performance issues, it’s something to keep in mind if you plan on using the drive for extended periods.
Compatibility and Storage Capacity
The P40’s broad compatibility with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac has been a major selling point. One parent shared, "It is perfect for my daughter’s Xbox 1. It has all the download space she needs for her games!" Another gamer highlighted how the 2TB capacity allowed them to consolidate their game library, saying, "This 2TB card will reduce the number of hard drives for my storage and finally be able to play all my games whenever I want."
On the flip side, some users were frustrated with the drive being initialized as GPT (GUID Partition Table) by default, which is unnecessary for drives under 2TB. One reviewer explained, "For the love of science, WHY? GPT is only needed for drives over 2TB." Fortunately, this issue can be resolved by switching the drive to MBR (Master Boot Record), but it’s an extra step that could have been avoided.
Final Verdict: Is the WD P40 Worth It?
The Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive SSD is a stellar choice for gamers who prioritize speed, style, and durability. Its ultra-fast performance, customizable RGB lighting, and shock-resistant design make it a standout product in the crowded external SSD market.
However, it’s not without its flaws. The drive’s performance is limited on older USB 2.0 ports, and it can get quite hot during heavy use. Additionally, the default GPT initialization may be a minor annoyance for some users.
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-performance, stylish, and durable external SSD for your gaming setup, the WD P40 is an excellent investment. It’s particularly well-suited for modern gaming consoles and PCs, where its full potential can be realized.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
Specification Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0020BBK-WESN:
Comments from Amazon:
Small and fast, works great with my PC , Mac and iPhone.. I’d recommend this product.
It is perfect for my daughter’s Xbox 1. It has all the download space she needs for her games!
I've been looking forward to getting this for the longest time. I've completely filled my internal hard drive to it's max when I had my Xbox One X now those same games I have are spread across multiple external hard drives and I cannot play them on my series X unless they are on the internal. This 2TB CARD will reduce the number of hard drives for my storage and finally be able to pay all my games whenever I want
So, why would I buy something this fast to connect to a device with USB 2.0 ports? Simple. They were on sale for $170. The Samsung EVOs and QVOs I usually buy were more expensive. The WD Blues were a little less, but not by nearly enough. Besides, these are SMALL. I can just throw them into a pants pocket and head to a friend's house. And while I may not be using them to their full potential now, if my Wii bites the dust, I have no shortage of options (I would even be comfortable installing VR games on these). But why use SSDs on a Wii at all? Surely the difference between SSD and HDD is negligible, right? Maybe on paper. In the real world, the USB 2.0 bottleneck that's supposed to nullify the difference between the two technologies somehow ends up amplifying it instead. I tried a 4 TB Passport with my Wii. To say that it was sluggish would be putting it nicely. When you test the difference with a spare SSD you have laying around and the two minute load times go away, it's obviously time to switch. My only gripes are that these get a bit hot when transferring files (I pulled out a mag fan when the first one hit 140 F), and that they were initialized as GPT. For the love of science, WHY? GPT is only needed for drives over 2 TB. That almost got them returned. The RGB lights don't come on when you connect them to a Wii, either. So, I thought WD had done something weird to make them incompatible with older devices (I wasn't wrong, it just turns out that something is easily reversible). Fortunately it hit me to do a "get-disk|format-list" as I was packing them up. I saw "GPT" and it was facepalm time. Sure enough, after switching them to MBR, they work great.
Love the look, toughness, and performance. Performance is great if you have 3.0 USB ... Below that, it's a little slow but not bad. 👍🏼
I bought this for extra storage for my PS4. It has worked perfectly! Highly recommended!
The Western Digital 1TB P40 is an absolute game-changer! From lightning-fast data transfer speeds to its impressive storage capacity, this device has exceeded all my expectations. The sleek design makes it not only a powerhouse of performance but also an aesthetic addition to any setup. Its reliability and durability are truly commendable, ensuring my data is not only secure but also easily accessible. The P40 has seamlessly integrated into my digital life, providing a storage solution that is both high-performing and dependable. Western Digital has yet again delivered excellence with the 1TB P40 – a must-have for anyone seeking top-tier storage performance.