This article covers Western Digital SN570 (SanDisk 20-82-10048-A1) 2 TB.
Overview
The Western Digital SN570 is a PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD that strikes an excellent balance between price and performance. This 2TB model uses TLC NAND flash and a DRAM-less design with Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, allowing it to deliver sequential read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 3,000 MB/s. The controller is the in-house WD 20-82-10048 (Polaris MP16). Positioned as an entry-to-mid-range drive, the SN570 is ideal for gamers, content creators, and everyday users who want a large-capacity SSD without breaking the bank. It works seamlessly with PCIe 3.0 platforms and remains a popular choice for budget-conscious builders. Originally released in December 2021, this SSD is still widely available and continues to receive firmware updates and support from Western Digital.
Compatibility Guide
Form Factor: M.2 2280 (80mm length) — fits most desktop motherboards and many laptops with an M.2 slot. Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.4. Backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 and forward compatible with PCIe 4.0 slots (speed limited to PCIe 3.0). Memory: No specific memory requirements; works with DDR4 or DDR5 systems. Power: Very low power consumption — a 450W PSU is sufficient for the drive itself, though system-wide requirements may be higher. * Storage Interface: Requires an M.2 Key M slot. Check your motherboard or laptop manual for available slots.
Product Info
Release Date: December 2021 Price: Approximately ¥69,800 (Yahoo! Shopping, as of September 2, 2026) Warranty: 5 years (manufacturer) Market Position: Entry-to-mid-range. The SN570 offers excellent value for PCIe 3.0 systems, competing with drives like the Crucial P3 Plus and Samsung 980. Its DRAM-less design keeps costs low while HMB ensures responsive everyday performance.
Best Use Cases
Budget Gaming Builds: For gamers building a PC with a B460, B550, or Z490 motherboard, the SN570 provides fast load times for games and the OS without overspending on PCIe 4.0 hardware. Secondary Storage for Creatives: Photographers and video editors can use this drive as a project file repository. It handles 1080p and 1440p footage well, though 4K+ workflows may benefit from a PCIe 4.0 drive. Laptop Upgrades: Low power draw and modest heat output make the SN570 a great choice for upgrading an older laptop's storage. Just ensure the laptop has an M.2 slot. Everyday Office PC: For general productivity, web browsing, and office applications, this SSD delivers snappy performance that far exceeds any SATA SSD.
Things to Consider
DRAM-less Performance: While HMB mitigates the lack of DRAM, sustained large-file writes can cause speed drops. This is rarely noticeable in typical desktop use but may be a concern for server or heavy write workloads. PCIe 3.0 Limitation: On modern PCIe 4.0 platforms (Ryzen 5000+, Intel 12th Gen+), the SN570 will be a bottleneck. If you have a PCIe 4.0-capable system, consider a PCIe 4.0 SSD for maximum throughput. Competition: In the same price range, you can find DRAM-equipped drives like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or PCIe 4.0 options like the Crucial P3 Plus. If sustained write performance is critical, a DRAM-based drive may be a better fit. Thermals: The controller runs relatively cool, but in a laptop or a case with poor airflow, a heatsink is recommended for prolonged heavy loads. ## FAQ
Q: Can I use this SSD in a PS5? A: No. The PS5 requires a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for internal storage. The SN570 is PCIe 3.0 and will not work as internal storage. It can be used as an external USB drive, but PS5 games cannot be played directly from it. Q: Is a DRAM-less SSD okay for the OS drive? A: Yes, absolutely. HMB uses a portion of your system RAM as a cache, so boot times and application loading are nearly identical to DRAM-based SSDs in real-world use. Q: How durable is the 2TB model? A: The rated TBW (Total Bytes Written) is 600TB. Assuming 100GB of writes per day, that translates to about 16.4 years of use — more than enough for typical home and office environments.
