SN770 is the budget speed champ; SN850X is the no-compromise performance king.

If you’re torn between the wd black sn770 vs sn850x, you’re not alone. I’ve used both drives in a daily driver PC and a gaming rig. They both solve the same problem—fast storage—but they approach it differently. The SN770 nails value and cool, efficient performance. The SN850X pushes top-end Gen4 speeds with extra features. I tested boot times, game loads, and large file transfers to help you choose the right fit.

Is WD Black SN770 Good?

Yes—for most people, the WD Black SN770 is a great pick. It is fast for the price, easy to install, and runs cool. If you want a snappy PC without paying a premium, it hits the sweet spot. It handles OS duties, game libraries, and everyday creative work well.

In my compact ITX build, the SN770 kept temperatures in check without a heatsink. Game launches felt instant, and Windows updates were painless. When I moved a 90 GB project folder, speed dipped after the cache, but it still finished in good time. That’s the trade-off I accepted for the savings compared to the SN850X.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 NVMe speeds up to 5,150 MB/s (model dependent)
• DRAM-less design with HMB for low power and lower cost
• WD Dashboard with Game Mode support
• 5-year limited warranty; solid endurance for its class
• Runs cool even in tight builds without a heatsink

What I Like

• Excellent price-to-performance for Gen4 storage
• Quick Windows boot and snappy app loads
• Low heat and power draw—great for laptops and small cases
• Quiet and reliable day-to-day performance
• Easy upgrade path for older systems moving to NVMe

What Could Be Better

• Sustained write speeds drop after the SLC cache fills
• Not ideal for heavy 4K video editing or constant large transfers
• No factory heatsink option from WD

My Recommendation

If you want fast storage without paying flagship prices, choose the SN770. It’s ideal for mainstream gaming and daily productivity.

Best For	Why
Budget gaming PCs	Strong Gen4 speeds at a lower cost
Thin laptops / SFF builds	Cool operation and lower power draw
General productivity	Fast boots and app launches without overpaying

Is WD Black SN850X Good?

Yes—the WD Black SN850X is excellent for gamers and power users who want the best Gen4 performance. It posts top-tier sequential numbers and strong random speeds. If you push your system with big games, large projects, or content creation, the SN850X feels faster and stays fast.

When I loaded several modern AAA titles, the SN850X shaved a few seconds off level loads compared to the SN770. During 200+ GB archival transfers, it held high speeds past the cache. I also liked the optional heatsink version, which kept temps stable in a hot, overclocked case. It’s the drive I use in my main gaming rig.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds up to 7,300 MB/s (model dependent)
• Premium controller with DRAM for sustained workloads
• WD Dashboard with Game Mode 2.0 optimization
• Optional factory heatsink model for desktop and PS5 installs
• 5-year warranty and strong endurance ratings

What I Like

• Top-tier performance in games and creative apps
• Holds speed during long file transfers
• Heatsink option reduces throttling in cramped cases
• Great random performance makes the OS feel instant
• Ready for PS5 storage expansion

What Could Be Better

• Costs more than midrange options
• Runs warmer under sustained heavy loads
• Overkill for light everyday use

My Recommendation

If you want the fastest Gen4 experience for gaming or pro work, buy the SN850X.

Best For	Why
High-end gaming rigs	Faster loads and smoother asset streaming
Content creators	Better sustained writes for large media
PS5 users	Meets Sony’s speed guidance with heatsink option

wd black sn770 vs sn850x: Side-by-Side Test

I ran both drives in similar systems to compare real results. Below are focused tests based on my hands-on time with the wd black sn770 vs sn850x.

Performance & Speed: Who’s Faster Overall?

Both drives are fast, but one aims higher. Here is how they compare on headline specs and behavior.

Feature	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Sequential Read (up to)	5,150 MB/s	7,300 MB/s
Sequential Write (typical 1TB)	Up to ~4,900 MB/s	Up to ~6,300 MB/s
Random Performance	Strong for daily use	Higher for heavy, mixed loads
Controller / DRAM	DRAM-less with HMB	Controller with DRAM

Ratings: SN770 – 8/10 | SN850X – 9.5/10

SN850X wins for peak and sustained speed; it feels faster in more tasks.

Thermals & Throttling: Which Runs Cooler?

Cooling matters for consistency. I looked at temps under gaming and long copies.

Aspect	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Typical Gaming Temps	Low to mid 50s °C	Mid 50s to 60s °C
Heatsink Option	No factory heatsink	Official heatsink model available
Throttling in Tight Cases	Rare in normal use	Minimal with heatsink; possible without

Ratings: SN770 – 9/10 | SN850X – 8.5/10

SN770 runs cooler out of the box, but SN850X with a heatsink stays consistent.

Endurance & Warranty: How Long Will They Last?

Both drives offer solid longevity with a 5-year warranty.

Spec (1TB class)	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Warranty	5 years	5 years
TBW (1TB)	~600 TBW	~600 TBW
Use Case Fit	Daily and light creative work	Heavy gaming and pro workloads

Ratings: SN770 – 8.5/10 | SN850X – 9/10

Both are durable; SN850X better suits heavier, sustained workloads over time.

Gaming Load Times: Which Feels Snappier?

I timed multiple game launches and level loads over a week.

Test	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Large AAA Load (avg)	Very fast	Faster by ~2–3 seconds
Open-World Streaming	Smooth	Noticeably smoother in heavy scenes
Game Updates / Installs	Quick	Quicker, especially big patches

Ratings: SN770 – 8.5/10 | SN850X – 9.5/10

SN850X is faster in big games and stays quick during long sessions.

Power Efficiency: Best for Laptops?

Battery life and heat matter in portable use.

Metric	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Idle Power	Lower	Higher
Light Workload Power	Lower	Moderate
Thermals in Thin Laptops	Cooler	Warmer

Ratings: SN770 – 9.5/10 | SN850X – 8/10

SN770 is better for battery life and thin-and-light builds.

Content Creation & Large Transfers: Who Holds Speed?

Sustained writes show the gap between these two drives.

Scenario	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Short Bursts (under cache)	Very fast	Very fast
Sustained 100–200 GB Writes	Speed dips after cache	Maintains higher speeds
4K Editing / Scratch	Acceptable for light edits	Better for pro workflows

Ratings: SN770 – 7.5/10 | SN850X – 9.5/10

SN850X sustains speed longer and handles big projects better.

Features & Software: Any Extras That Matter?

Both use WD Dashboard, but feature sets differ.

Feature	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Game Mode	Supported	Game Mode 2.0 enhancements
Heatsink SKU	No	Yes
PS5 Ready	Below Sony’s speed guidance	Meets Sony’s guidance

Ratings: SN770 – 8/10 | SN850X – 9/10

SN850X adds useful extras for gamers and consoles.

Value for Money: Which Is the Smarter Buy?

Prices move, but the pattern is clear.

Factor	WD Black SN770	WD Black SN850X
Typical Street Price	Lower	Higher
Price per GB	Better value	Premium
Performance per Dollar	Excellent	Strong for power users

Ratings: SN770 – 9.5/10 | SN850X – 8.5/10

SN770 wins value; SN850X is worth it if you need top speed.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

The wd black sn770 vs sn850x debate comes down to needs. The SN770 is the better buy for most users. It is fast, cool, and affordable. For gaming at 1080p/1440p and daily tasks, it feels great.

Pick the SN850X if you want the best Gen4 speed and consistency. It shines in AAA gaming, PS5 expansion, and big creative jobs. If your work or play is heavy, the upgrade is worth it.

FAQs Of wd black sn770 vs sn850x

What is the main difference in the wd black sn770 vs sn850x?

SN770 focuses on value and efficiency with up to 5,150 MB/s. SN850X targets peak Gen4 performance with up to 7,300 MB/s and better sustained writes. It also offers a heatsink model and enhanced Game Mode.

Is the SN770 good enough for gaming compared to the SN850X?

Yes. The SN770 loads games quickly and feels snappy. The SN850X is faster in heavy titles and large updates, but casual and mid-core gamers will be happy with the SN770.

Which is better for PS5: wd black sn770 vs sn850x?

SN850X. Sony recommends 5,500 MB/s or higher. The SN850X meets that guidance and has a heatsink option. The SN770 is below the recommended spec.

Does the SN850X run hotter than the SN770?

Often yes, especially under long writes. The heatsink version of the SN850X helps keep temps steady. The SN770 usually runs cooler without extra cooling.

For laptops, should I choose the wd black sn770 vs sn850x?

Choose the SN770 for better battery life and lower heat. Pick the SN850X only if you need maximum speed for heavy creative work on the go.