by 4 reviews.
Western Digital 2TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD Review: Speed, Reliability, and Value Combined
If you're looking to upgrade your storage with a high-performance SSD, the Western Digital 2TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive is a compelling option. Designed for creators, professionals, and gamers, this SSD combines blazing-fast speeds, ample storage, and reliable performance. With PCIe Gen 4.0 technology, read speeds of up to 5,150 MB/s, and a 2TB capacity, it’s a powerhouse for multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance: Lightning-Fast Speeds
One of the standout features of the WD Blue SN5000 is its performance. Customers have praised its ability to deliver read/write speeds exceeding 2,800 MB/s, even when used in Thunderbolt 4/USB4 enclosures. One reviewer noted that while it’s not the fastest SSD on the market, it’s more than capable of maxing out the bandwidth limitations of current enclosures.
Another user compared it to their older SATA SSD and was blown away by the difference. The WD Blue SN5000 delivered CrystalDiskMark results of 3,533 MB/s read and 3,395 MB/s write speeds, compared to their Crucial MX500 SATA SSD’s 285 MB/s read and 267 MB/s write speeds.
Key Takeaway
If you’re upgrading from a traditional hard drive or SATA SSD, the performance boost is significant and noticeable.
Usability: Easy Installation and Setup
Installation is straightforward, even for those with older systems. One customer shared their experience of installing the SSD in a 10-year-old computer using a PCI-E adapter. Despite the system’s limitations, the SSD performed exceptionally well, proving its versatility.
The included Acronis True Image software also makes data migration a breeze. Users appreciated the ability to clone their existing drives without hassle, ensuring a smooth transition to the new SSD.
Key Takeaway
Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned pro, the WD Blue SN5000 is user-friendly and adaptable to various setups.
Durability and Build Quality: Reliable and Efficient
Western Digital has a long-standing reputation for durability, and the WD Blue SN5000 is no exception. With 1,200TBW endurance, this SSD is built to handle heavy workloads, making it ideal for professionals and creators.
However, some customers noted inconsistencies in the product’s appearance. One reviewer mentioned that their SSD didn’t come with the blue sleeve pictured in the product listing. While this didn’t affect performance, it was a minor disappointment.
Key Takeaway
The SSD is built to last, but be prepared for potential aesthetic variations.
Value for Money: A Budget-Friendly Upgrade
Many customers highlighted the WD Blue SN5000’s excellent value for money. While it’s not the latest PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD, it delivers performance that rivals more expensive models, especially when used within bandwidth-limited setups.
One user even mentioned saving money by opting for this SSD instead of a higher-end model, planning to upgrade to a faster card only when Thunderbolt 5 enclosures become available.
Key Takeaway
If you’re looking for a high-performance SSD without breaking the bank, the WD Blue SN5000 is a smart choice.
Conclusion: Is the WD Blue SN5000 Worth It?
The Western Digital 2TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD is a solid choice for anyone seeking a balance of speed, reliability, and affordability. Its PCIe Gen 4.0 technology ensures lightning-fast performance, while the 2TB capacity provides ample storage for demanding workloads.
Pros
- Exceptional read/write speeds
- Easy installation and setup
- Durable build with high endurance
- Great value for money
Cons
- Aesthetic inconsistencies (missing blue sleeve)
- Not the fastest SSD on the market (but still more than sufficient for most users)
Final Verdict
If you’re upgrading from a traditional hard drive or SATA SSD, the WD Blue SN5000 is a game-changer. It’s perfect for creators, professionals, and gamers who need reliable, high-speed storage without overspending. While it may not be the absolute top-tier SSD, it delivers exceptional performance for its price point.
Upgrade your storage today and experience the difference with the Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD!
Specification Western Digital 2TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - PCIe Gen 4.0, M.2 2280, Up to 5,150 MB/s - WDS200T4B0E:
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.