WD Black SN770
Expert rating8.4 / 10
- Model:
- WD Black SN770
- Interface:
- PCIe 4.0
- Sequential Read:
- Up to 5,150 MB/s
- Sequential Write:
- Up to 4,900 MB/s
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Manufacturer: Western Digital Last updated: September 12, 2026
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WD Black SN770 Review
The WD Black SN770 is one of the best-known mainstream PCIe 4.0 drives on the market, a DRAM-less design that leans on Host Memory Buffer to stay affordable while still hitting solidly competitive speeds.
It's genuinely one of the smartest mainstream picks in this catalog for a standard desktop, fast enough that you won't notice the missing DRAM cache in everyday use, and priced well below flagship Gen 4 drives that most people don't actually need.
Performance and Speed
5,150 MB/s read and 4,900 MB/s write is a strong mainstream Gen 4 result, achieved without a dedicated DRAM cache thanks to Host Memory Buffer borrowing a small slice of system RAM instead. For typical desktop use the difference from a DRAM-equipped drive is rarely noticeable.
The SN770 Family
WD also sells this same platform in the M.2 2230 SN770M form factor, covered elsewhere on this site, for handhelds and Steam Deck upgrades. The standard SN770 is the full-size 2280 version for desktops and most laptops.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against WD's own SN770M, also covered on this site, the underlying platform is essentially the same, with the M variant existing purely for the smaller physical form factor needed in handhelds. Against the Crucial P3 Plus, also covered on this site, both are mainstream value-focused Gen 4 picks, and the two trade blows depending on pricing at the time.
Who This SSD Is Actually For
Mainstream desktop and laptop upgrades wanting strong Gen 4 speed without flagship pricing. This is one of the best value-per-dollar picks in the whole PCIe 4.0 tier.
Buyers who don't need a DRAM cache for their typical workload. HMB closes most of the practical gap in everyday use.
Not for handheld or Steam Deck upgrades needing the smaller 2230 form factor. WD's own SN770M, covered elsewhere on this site, is built for that specific use case.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating8.4 / 10
One of the strongest mainstream value picks in the entire PCIe 4.0 tier.
Best for
- Mainstream desktop and laptop upgrades wanting strong Gen 4 speed without flagship pricing.
- Buyers who don't need a DRAM cache for their typical workload; HMB closes most of the practical gap.
- Anyone replacing an aging SATA or Gen 3 drive who wants a big, affordable jump in speed.
Not for
- Not for handheld or Steam Deck upgrades needing the smaller 2230 form factor. WD's own SN770M, covered elsewhere on this site, is built for that specific use case.
- Not for professional workloads doing constant, heavy sustained writes where a DRAM cache meaningfully helps.
- Not for buyers chasing absolute flagship Gen 4 speed; WD's own SN850X, covered elsewhere on this site, is the faster option.
Specifications
What these specs meanHow fast this drive is among internal SSDs, rated from its read and write speeds, cache and NAND type.
Identity
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Model Number | SN770 |
| Series | WD Black SN770 |
Interface and form
| Drive Type | Internal |
|---|---|
| Bus Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
Sequential performance
| Sequential Read | 5150 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Sequential Write | 4900 MB/s |
Controller and cache
| DRAM Cache | DRAM-less with HMB |
|---|
NAND
| NAND Type | TLC (DRAM-Less, HMB) |
|---|
Power and thermals
| Heatsink | Not Included |
|---|
Physical and commercial
| Warranty | 5 Years |
|---|
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the WD Black SN770 (PCIe 4.0 NVMe/5,150 MB/s Read/4,900 MB/s Write/DRAM-Less Mainstream Gaming Drive)?
Key specs for the WD Black SN770: Sequential Read 5150 MB/s, Sequential Write 4900 MB/s, Capacity Options 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, Interface PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe, Bus Interface PCIe 4.0 x4, NAND Type TLC (DRAM-Less, HMB).
Who is the WD Black SN770 (PCIe 4.0 NVMe/5,150 MB/s Read/4,900 MB/s Write/DRAM-Less Mainstream Gaming Drive) best suited to?
Best suited to: Mainstream desktop and laptop upgrades wanting strong Gen 4 speed without flagship pricing; Buyers who don't need a DRAM cache for their typical workload; HMB closes most of the practical gap; Anyone replacing an aging SATA or Gen 3 drive who wants a big, affordable jump in speed.
What are the drawbacks of the WD Black SN770 (PCIe 4.0 NVMe/5,150 MB/s Read/4,900 MB/s Write/DRAM-Less Mainstream Gaming Drive)?
Not the best fit for: Not for handheld or Steam Deck upgrades needing the smaller 2230 form factor. WD's own SN770M, covered elsewhere on this site, is built for that specific use case; Not for professional workloads doing constant, heavy sustained writes where a DRAM cache meaningfully helps; Not for buyers chasing absolute flagship Gen 4 speed; WD's own SN850X, covered elsewhere on this site, is the faster option.
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