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Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe SSD Review: A NAS Performance Powerhouse
If you're looking to supercharge your NAS system, the Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) is a top contender. Designed specifically for NAS devices, this SSD promises blazing-fast speeds, reliability, and endurance for demanding workloads. With a Gen3 PCIe interface and M.2 2280 form factor, it delivers up to 3,430 MB/s read speeds, making it ideal for tasks like virtualization, collaborative editing, and database storage. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the WD Red SN700 is its exceptional performance. Customers have reported noticeable improvements in their NAS systems after installing this SSD. For instance, one user mentioned that setting up the SSD as a read-write cache on their Synology NAS DS1821+ significantly enhanced system responsiveness. Another user highlighted how the SSD accelerated the loading of artwork for their Plex library, improving the overall media room experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Fast Caching
The SSD’s fast-caching technology reduces latency and boosts performance, especially for read-heavy tasks. - Ideal for Multitasking
Whether you're running VMs or handling large file transfers, this SSD keeps up with demanding workloads.
Compatibility and Ease of Installation
The WD Red SN700 is purpose-built for NAS systems, and customers have found it easy to install and integrate. One user praised the tool-less installation on their Synology 920+, while another noted that the SSD was immediately recognized by their NAS system. However, some users reported that Synology systems display a compatibility warning since WD products aren’t listed in Synology’s official compatibility chart. Despite this, the SSD works flawlessly, and the warning can be safely ignored.
Key Takeaways:
- Plug-and-Play Setup
Installation is straightforward, even for non-tech-savvy users. - NAS-Optimized
Designed for 24/7 operation, this SSD is a reliable choice for NAS environments.
Durability and Longevity
Durability is a critical factor for NAS drives, and the WD Red SN700 doesn’t disappoint. With a high endurance rating of up to 5100 TBW (terabytes written) for the 4TB model, this SSD is built to handle constant read-write operations. However, one customer reported that one of their four SSDs failed after two years of use. While this is disappointing, the SSD comes with a 5-year warranty, and Western Digital has a reputation for honoring warranties without hassle.
Key Takeaways:
- Built to Last
Engineered for 24/7 operation, this SSD is ideal for small-to-medium businesses. - Warranty Assurance
The 5-year warranty provides peace of mind, even if issues arise.
Capacity and Over-Provisioning
The 500GB capacity is more than sufficient for most NAS caching needs. One user shared a helpful tip: allocating only 75% of the SSD’s capacity for caching ensures optimal performance and longevity. This prevents slowdowns caused by fully saturated drives. Another user mentioned that a single 500GB SSD was enough for their 15TB storage setup, though they considered a 256GB model for future-proofing.
Key Takeaways:
- Flexible Capacity
The 500GB model strikes a balance between performance and cost. - Over-Provisioning Tip
Leaving some unused space can extend the SSD’s lifespan.
Final Verdict: Is the WD Red SN700 Worth It?
The Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe SSD is a high-performance, reliable solution for NAS systems. Its blazing-fast speeds, ease of installation, and NAS-specific design make it a standout choice for users looking to enhance their storage setup. While there have been isolated reports of failures, the 5-year warranty ensures that you’re covered in the long run.
Who Should Buy This?
- NAS Enthusiasts
If you’re running a Synology, QNAP, or similar NAS system, this SSD is a great upgrade. - Small-to-Medium Businesses
Its durability and performance make it ideal for demanding workloads. - Media Server Users
Faster caching improves the experience for Plex and other media applications.
Who Might Look Elsewhere?
- Budget-Conscious Buyers
If you don’t need NVMe speeds, a SATA SSD might be a more affordable option. - PCIe 4.0 Users
If your system supports PCIe 4.0, you might want to explore faster alternatives.
In conclusion, the WD Red SN700 delivers on its promises, offering speed, reliability, and durability for NAS environments. If you’re ready to elevate your NAS performance, this SSD is a solid investment.
Specification Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD for NAS Devices - Gen3 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 3,430 MB/s - WDS500G1R0C:
Comments from Amazon:
Work great
I purchased 2 of the 500GB for my Synology 920+ running DSM7 Easy tool-less installation. Decided to use only ONE of them in READ mode for my Calibre and Plex libraries as well as Docker images. Noticeably faster load up of art work which is important for the Media room experience. Movies will not see any speed boost - as why would they? But the artwork loading is quick and very noticeable once cached. Synology WILL complain when you set up the Cache as there are no WD products in the Synology "compatibility" chart. Don't now if this is due to a failed business agreement or whatever, however it will work. I have 15TB of storage, and the Single 500GB NVMe SSD is more than enough. I will likely move the other one to another NAS, or into my computer. i likely could have gotten away with a 256GB NVMe SSD but room to grow is always good. Please note that the Synology Read/Write cache mirror set up has caused some people grief in the past, so please do your own research on this before doing it. Personally I don't feel the need.
Use in my QNAP as QTier, which provides both Cache and Volume in one solution. Works great! Used the test utility in QNAP to pick the over provisioning that worked best for my needs. Already used another set of WD 1TB Reds and worked perfect, wanted a bigger pool updated to 4tb's, so far so good. Always getting max throughput on network, don't leave home without it!
I've purchased a total of 4 of these (500 gig size) for use as cache in a pair of Synology NAS. They are now right at 2 years old, and suddenly one has died. I will update if Western Digital (or now SanDisk) refuses to honor the warranty, but they've never given me a problem before. I'm not happy one has died, but things do happen. I'm surprised it took 2 years, usually they either die right away or last well beyond their warranty. In general I've been satisfied with Western Digital NAS products despite the SMR fiasco, but this is the first SSD NAS devices I've purchased. I am happy they come with a 5 year warranty!
I put two of these on my Synology DS1522+ and had no issues so far. Using it as a Read-Write Cache, and noticed a great improvement when moving new files into it, as well as my VMs feeling a bit snappier.
This is about as fast as you're going to get with gen3 drives. I have an older machine that needed an upgrade, that doesn't support PCIe 4.0, so this seemed like a good option. I've had good luck with Western Digital in the past (even when they've failed, their warranty program has shipped out replacements no questions asked). Six months on, it's still working as it did on day one, as a workstation boot drive, occasionally doing IO intensive workloads like large compiles.
I added two Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe SSDs to my Synology NAS DS1821+, and they've been working flawlessly. Setting them up as an SSD read-write cache has noticeably improved the overall performance and responsiveness of my NAS. One tip I'd like to share is allocating only 75% of the SSDs' capacity for the cache. By not filling them up to 100%, I've found that the SSDs maintain optimal performance and longevity. This prevents potential slowdowns that can occur when drives are fully saturated. Installation was straightforward, and the drives were immediately recognized by the Synology system. These SSDs are specifically designed for NAS devices, ensuring reliable operation under constant read and write demands. If you're looking to enhance your NAS setup, I highly recommend these WD Red SN700 NVMe SSDs. They've exceeded my expectations and have become a valuable part of my storage solution. Five stars!