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TLC + HMB, nand prices are falling just like the sky
WD Black SN770 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD $210.85 Delivered @ Amazon US via AU
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Kazusa on 01/02/2023 - 11:09 amazon.com.au (337 clicks)
Last edited 03/02/2023 - 00:27 by 2 other users
Last edited 03/02/2023 - 00:27 by 2 other users
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NVMe, the modern day Eneloops.
Too bad I don't need it, because it seems like a great deal.
So 980pro is significantly better right? (On paper, I get you might not be taking advantage)
I feel like that’s actually better deal if you can actually take advantage of the speeds? (@$284)
But I guess if people are looking for PS5, different story maybe?
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/wd-black-sn770-ssd-revi…, not really, unless you’re writing to the drive with 300gb+ files all the time, then the sustained writes of the 980 pro will be faster
980 Pro, in general, is better. SN770 does benefit from using a newer controller so it is able to fool most benchmark apps reviewers use. However:
- SN770 is officially below PS5 recommended requirement (so WD does not recommend it for PS5). It's just the nature / limit of 4 channels controller at PCIe gen 4 (instead of 8 channels ones). However, because it is E21 like in performance, it does make it attractive (since it is so close to the recommended read speed).
- The NAND used in SN770 is in the same class as SN570 so it is really just SN570 NAND with a beefed up PCIe gen 4 controller.
- While it is mostly a non issue for PS5, sustained write (especially full drive cloning) is one area 980 Pro really shines. However, it is not something we care about (part of the problem is we wouldn't do a full drive fill repeatedly, it is just not good for SSDs). We are talking about more than 200% difference (but SSD to SSD clone is rare for most people though).
Okay both comment are actually very helpful. I’d rather pay a bit more and have more available speed and Samsungs reliability (I get WD isn’t bad either but still)
Also I am planning on using this with a thunderbolt enclosure, so somehow TB controllers are picky and speed scale down but seems to stay proportional to the overall performance. I think I might wait for 980pro to come down a bit more tbh.
Also forgot to write, I am backing up photo library so random read/write speeds are very important.
I would not hold out for 980 pro / 990 pro if using a TB enclosure
@UsernameChecksIn: Unfortunately speeds measured on motherboards don’t translate to enclosures.
So it’s not as simple as ‘this drive can do 5500mbps and TB is only 5000mbps’
This gets even more complicated and hard to predict without a test with specific hardware when it comes down to random read/write speeds. So buying this may not translate to anything significant.
But I guess context you are missing is I already have a 2tb 970evo plus with a TB enclosure that has JHL6240 chip, using on a M1 Pro MacBook Pro. And I only get 1300mbps sequential read/write speeds are ~3500mbps
@Larsson: My result:
Macbook Pro 16 inch M1 Pro, Thunderbolt 3/JHL6240, Samsung Evo Plus 1TB: 2853 read, 2378 write.
Obviously, that's SLC cache with PCIe gen 3 x4 to Thunderbolt bridging overhead. On Windows, Thunderbolt runs a bit faster.
If the speed is too low, check to see the file system, use one of the Apple native file systems instead of FAT32. 970 Evo Plus, there are multiple batches. The one I tested has the newer Elpis controller (faster and larger dynamic SLC cache, but inferior sustained write after SLC cache runs out). Elpis controller based 970 Evo Plus generally runs a bit faster.
@netsurfer: can you please clarify the comment "able to fool most benchmark apps reviewers use"?
Are you saying the results are real?
I'm considering the SN770 and in doing in due diligence noticed Storage Review - in contrast to numerous other sites - shows very underwhelming performance. Any idea why the big difference in conclusion?
Majority of tests use an empty or a near empty SSD. Furthermore, one aspect of newer SSD controllers is they have faster cores and that has some performance benefit (in light workload situation, SN770 can really shine (SN770 does work in gaming tests I reckon)). However, SN770 has two fundamental weaknesses (to be fair though, that's the same for ALL PCIe gen 4 x4 cost effective DRAMless class SSDs):
- One thing Storage Review does (which most sites don't) is run tests where DRAMless SSDs struggle. They're not something we, general public normally encounter. However, those tests really make DRAMless SSDs look bad. So if you are planning to use it for as a database server and/or 24x7 server with constant read/write mixed usage (even if large percentage is just reads), then you might want to think twice before getting a SN770.
- To keep the cost down, the NAND flash isn't the best in terms of sustained write. SN770's sustained write is in PCIe gen 3 x4 class (and cannot beat the best PCIe gen 3 x4 SSD).
It is hard to judge SN770 objectively. It is basically SN570 type of NAND with a new PCIe gen 4 x4 controller (roughly in the same class as Phison E21). Are you able to resist majority of those nice reviews (and close a blind eye on the very ordinary sustained write)?
For me, personally, I see cost effective PCIe gen 4 x4 SSDs as the same other standard cost effective NVMe SSDs. I try not to price in the PCIe gen 4 x4 support part (because once you dig deep, you would notice it is mostly the controller that's trying to trick us). Thus, price is a big factor. I don't see them as true PCIe gen 4 x4 SSDs. So I suggest you do the same. If you are happy with SN570 2TB at this price, then you can consider the SN770 2TB.
@netsurfer: Thanks for the very detailed reply. I've just ordered a 1TB SN770 for about $70 which is attained through a combination of cash backs and coupons - just too good to resist. The gap to SN850X or 980 Pro was about +$40-50 and I just think not justified in my use case.
Thanks again
@madpig83: $70 is a bargain currently. I would be happy with a SN570 1TB at that price so SN770 is even better.
Great for PS5 peeps
I need a 2-4TB NVMe to put into an enclosure and store tons of video footage on it. Should I be looking now or waiting a couple months for prices to drop farther?
If it is Thunderbolt / USB 4 or USB 3.2 gen 2x2, then this is not the SSD you want. Sustained write of 560MB/s isn't something I would consider great for a 2-4TB external SSD for videos. Unless, you just want to backup and don't mind the wait.
Will be copying ~100-300 GB of files at a time while I finish editing projects and transfer files from different drives etc. I travel a lot, so NAS, HDDs aren't ideal. Don't mind waiting a bit, mainly just looking for a good deal. Would prefer a 4TB drive, but happy to get 2x 2TB drives
Portable and write speed is not that critical, that pretty much means no need to pay extra for PCIe gen 4 SSDs. The key factors will be reliability (including warranty) and price.
@RickyBaker: Well, prices will drop, but then later on, you will be in the same situation (should you continue to wait?).
It's a quality of life improvement product so you decide.
Store?
HDD speeds are fine!
How’s this compare to the SN850x?
Slower cheaper
no x lower number
SN850X is better. Its new controller is designed to be competitive against Phison E18 and these new class of cost effective PCIe gen 4 controllers.
Is this good enough for PC gaming?
Above & beyond.
It’s marketed as a gaming drive.
🙀The sky is falling