This article covers WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X NVMe 内蔵型ゲーミングSSD ソリッドステートドライブ.

Overview

The WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD in its 4TB variant (model WDS400T2X0E) is Western Digital's flagship PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 NVMe drive purpose-built for serious gamers. With sequential read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s, it slashes game loading times and practically eliminates stutter in open-world titles. The 4TB capacity lets you install dozens of modern AAA games—some exceeding 200GB—without constantly juggling installations. This non-heatsink version keeps compatibility wide, fitting into laptops, PS5 consoles (with an aftermarket heatsink), and most desktop motherboards.
Western Digital’s Game Mode 2.0 software (Windows-only) adds predictive loading and latency optimization, pushing real-world responsiveness beyond what raw benchmarks suggest. Coupled with the dashboard utility for firmware updates and health monitoring, this drive delivers a complete premium storage package. It sits at the very top of the consumer SSD hierarchy, competing head-to-head with Samsung’s 990 PRO while offering higher sequential bandwidth and a slightly different feature set.

Compatibility Guide

  • Form factor is standard M.2 2280 (22×80mm), fitting into any desktop or laptop M.2 slot that supports PCIe 4.0 x4 or 3.0 x4 (backward compatible, but speed will be capped at ~3,500 MB/s with PCIe 3.0).
  • PS5 compatibility is confirmed, but you must add a heatsink—the console’s M.2 bay does not include one, and the SN850X can get hot under sustained load. The drive exceeds Sony’s recommended 5,500 MB/s sequential read threshold.
  • For maximum performance on a desktop, install the SSD in a CPU-attached M.2 slot (usually the top slot) rather than a chipset-laned one. Motherboard manuals usually label these clearly.

Product Info

Released in late 2022 (4TB variant early 2023), the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB comes with a 5-year warranty backed by a 1,200 TBW endurance rating. It is a raw M.2 2280 module without a pre-installed heatsink, making it as flexible as possible for different builds. Market positioning is unequivocally high-end; there are very few 4TB Gen4 SSDs that match its sequential read speed while maintaining robust gaming-centric software support.

Best Use Cases

  • Power gamers and streamers: With 4TB, you can keep your entire active library installed plus recording scratch space. Game Mode 2.0 further reduces load times and stutter. It’s overkill for someone who plays only one or two games at a time—a 1TB or 2TB drive would suffice and save money.
  • Content creators working with 4K/8K video: The fast sequential read and write (up to 6,600 MB/s write) make short work of large media files. If your work involves constant multi-threaded random I/O, consider a drive like the Samsung 990 PRO for slightly better random performance—but the SN850X is still excellent.
  • PS5 storage expansion: Perfect if you want a single drive to hold your entire PlayStation 5 game library. Remember to budget for a quality third-party heatsink (e.g., from be quiet! or Arctic).
  • Upgrade path from a SATA SSD or small NVMe: Moving from a 250GB boot drive plus a 1TB game drive to this single 4TB NVMe streamlines your build and dramatically improves load times across the board.

Things to Consider

  • This drive runs hot. Under sustained writes, temperatures can exceed 80°C, triggering thermal throttling. An aftermarket heatsink or at least active airflow over the drive is strongly recommended. In laptops where airflow is limited, the drive may throttle more often.
  • The price premium for 4TB over 2TB is significant. Only choose the 4TB if you genuinely need the capacity. If your usage is under 2TB, the 2TB SN850X (WDS200T2X0E) offers nearly identical performance for much less.
  • PCIe 3.0 systems will bottleneck the drive to ~3,500 MB/s. While that’s still fast, you are paying a premium for speed you won’t fully realize. Consider a more affordable PCIe 3.0 drive or upgrade your platform.
  • Heatsink version available: If you don’t want to add your own heatsink, look for the SN850X with heatsink (model WDS400T2X0E-xxxx) at a slightly higher price. It includes a pre-installed, RGB-lit heatsink that fits most desktop motherboards.

FAQ

Q: Is the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB compatible with my laptop?
A: Yes, if your laptop has an M.2 slot (NVMe, PCIe 4.0 or 3.0) that supports 2280 length. However, some ultra-thin laptops can’t fit the 2280 size; check your laptop’s service manual. Also note that without adequate airflow, the drive may throttle in compact chassis.
Q: Does this drive work with AMD X570 or Intel Z690/Z790 motherboards?
A: Absolutely. Both platforms have PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. For best results, use the CPU-attached slot on AMD boards (often the slot nearest the CPU). On Intel, most M.2 slots are CPU-laned as well. Always check your motherboard manual.
Q: How does the 4TB SN850X compare to the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB?
A: The SN850X has slightly higher sequential read speeds (7,300 vs. 7,450

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: SanDisk
  • Seller: 株式会社ad friend
  • Fulfilled by: 株式会社ad friend
  • ASIN: B0B7CQ2CHH
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.