Specifications & Features

 Specifications and features

Much like the 2018 model, the 2019 SN750 revision is using (Triple-level cell written) written 64-layer NAND flash memory from Sandisk. This allows them to offer the big storage volume at a lower price point.  In 3D NAND, NAND layers, not chips, are stacked in a single IC. The good news is continued cost reduction, smaller die sizes and more capacity per NAND chip. Also, installed NAND toolsets in the wafer fabs can, for the most part, be reused, thereby extending the useful life of the fab equipment.The NAND ICs are driven by the SanDisk 20-82-007011 controller as well as a DRAM cache and a small partition that will be SLC written to keep write performance up-to-snuff. Much like other competitors, this M2 SSD will run on a full PCIe 3.0 x4 link. The series is to be an enthusiast class offering of their NVMe SSDs. Though the numbers vary per model due to available NAND channels to the controller (big SSDs have more chips to work with) these SSDs will rip a hole in your eyes when you see the performance metrics, offering double and even five to six times the speed (depending on how you look at it) of the fastest SATA3 class SSD. Mind you, this product can also be spotted as the SanDisk Extreme PRO Model.

MSRP		$79.99	$129.99	$249.99	$499.99

As mentioned, Western Digital offers the product series in two SKUs, one 'naked', the other includes an EK based heatsink. We received the first. But should you have a motherboard with no heatsink functionality for M.2. SSD unit, this EK cooled model might be an attractive option. Mind you, the 250GB model is the one SKU not offered with the EK heatsink.

SanDisk 20-82-007011 controller

Western Digital a while ago bought, among the strongest names in the business, SanDisk in an effort to get NAND IP and production in-house. This SSD makes use of their NAND and their controller. It is the second time we stumbled into this SanDisk 20-82-0007011 SKU, basically, it is a controller empowered by three ARM CPU cores fabbed on 28nm. It makes use of the latest NVMe revision 1.2 and 1.3 protocol and as you have been able to notice from the SSD specifications, this controller is very fast 3470 MB/s and 3000 MB/s for read and write operations respectively, over a x4 PCIe Gen 3 lane connection that is.

Western Digital WD SN750 Black NVMe M2
Capacity		250 GB	500 GB	1 TB	2 TB
WD Black Model		WDS250G3X0C	WDS500G3X0C	WDS100T3X0C	WDS200T3X0C
Form Factor		M.2 2280 (Single-Sided)
Interface		NVMe PCIe 3 x4
Controller		SanDisk 20-82-007011
NAND		SanDisk 64-layer 3D TLC
DRAM		SK Hynix DDR4
Sequential Read		3100 MB/s	3470 MB/s	3470 MB/s	3400 MB/s
Sequential Write		1600 MB/s	2600 MB/s	3000 MB/s	2900 MB/s
4KB Random Read		220k IOPS	420k IOPS	515k IOPS	480k IOPS
4KB Random Write		180k IOPS	380k IOPS	560k IOPS	560k IOPS5
Power	Peak (10µs)	9.24 W	9.24 W	9.24 W	9.24 W
	PS3 Idle	70 mW	70 mW	100 mW	100 mW
	PS4 Idle	2.5 mW	2.5 mW	2.5 mW	2.5 mW
Write Endurance		200 TBW	300 TBW	600 TBW	1200 TBW
Warranty		5 years

For 4K random read and write operations the performance differs a bit here and there per model. Basically, the 500 GB and 1TB version will offer the best numbers. We test the 1TB model, ergo we'll base out opinion on that one. The controller is able to perform up to 500 to 560 operations per second (IOPS) as it (can) makes use 8 NAND channels. WD will offer the WD BLACK SN750 series written as TLC, a write-out SLC buffer and these units receive a 5-year warranty.  The 1TB model tested costs 249 USD/EUR which.

Game mode on or off?

You're going to notice that WD has upgraded its SSD utility, what was previously known as the Sandisk Dashboard, now is the Western Digital Dashboard.  The software offers all the features you may expect incl S.M.A.R.T monitoring, a secure erase, firmware updating and so on. What you'll notice though is a new Gaming mode, you can toggle it and after a reboot the SSD will be reconfigured. 

Basically when the modus operandus has been enabled, all cylinders fire on the NVMe controller, e.g. it is allowed to change to a higher power energy state. Mind you this mode is only recommended with a heatsink installed as it can create some extra heat.  In our testing, we found merely a marginal performance increase, if we could notice it at all. Your choice, but personally we'd recommend you to stick at defaults, for a multitude of reasons. We also tried the clone the SS with the WD Acronis software from their website, unfortunately, the software did not recognize this SSD, and would not start.