This article covers WDS100T2B0C [WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD（1TB M.2(2280) PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe 600TBW 5年保証）].

Overview

The Western Digital WD Blue SN550 (model WDS100T2B0C) is a 1TB NVMe Gen3 x4 internal SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor. It offers sequential read speeds up to 2400 MB/s and write speeds up to 1950 MB/s, making it an excellent choice for entry-level to mid-range PC builds. Despite being DRAM-less, it uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to deliver solid random access performance, significantly speeding up OS boot times and application loading. With a 600TBW endurance rating and a 5-year warranty, it provides reliable long-term storage for everyday users.

Compatibility Guide

This SSD uses the M.2 2280 form factor and requires a PCIe 3.0 x4 (or higher) M.2 slot on your motherboard. It is backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 and 3.0 slots, but will not work in SATA-only M.2 slots. NVMe drivers are natively supported in Windows 8.1 and later, macOS, and Linux. The PCIe Gen3 x4 interface provides up to 4 GB/s bandwidth, which is more than enough for the SN550's peak speeds of around 2.4 GB/s. No additional power connections are needed as power is drawn directly from the M.2 slot.

Product Info

The WD Blue SN550 is positioned as an entry-level to mid-range NVMe SSD within Western Digital's consumer lineup. It uses 64-layer 3D NAND TLC flash with a proprietary controller. Released in 2020, it carries a 5-year warranty. The 1TB variant has an endurance rating of 600 TBW, which roughly translates to about 1.64 years of daily 1TB writes (though real-world longevity is much higher). Pricing in Japan typically ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥15,000, offering exceptional value for a 1TB NVMe drive.

Best Use Cases

First-time NVMe upgraders: A significant speed boost over SATA SSDs at an affordable price, ideal for OS and main applications. Budget-conscious gamers: Reduces game loading times effectively without needing PCIe Gen4 bandwidth; suitable for most current titles. * Secondary storage or laptop upgrades: Compact and low-power, perfect for adding extra high-speed storage to a desktop or replacing a slow drive in a notebook.

Things to Consider

The DRAM-less design can lead to slower sustained write speeds after the SLC cache is exhausted, especially when writing large files continuously. Additionally, this SSD is limited to PCIe Gen3 speeds; if installed in a Gen4 slot, it will not utilize the extra bandwidth. For typical gaming and office tasks, this difference is negligible. The drive lacks an integrated heatsink, but its low thermal output means it runs fine without one. Competitors like the Crucial P3 Plus or Samsung 980 offer similar performance at slightly higher prices, but the SN550 remains a strong price-to-performance contender.