Western Digital Launches 8TB SN850X Solid State Drive, Compatible with Sony PS5 Console, Priced at $849.99

The SN850X Black is Western Digital's flagship solid-state drive (SSD) product, previously available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB versions, utilizing Western Digital's proprietary 112-layer BiCS5 TLC 3D NAND chips.

Western Digital has recently updated its product line to include an 8TB version of this SSD. This version's performance is essentially similar to other versions, though with slightly slower read speeds, which should not have a significant negative impact.

Here are the main specifications of the SN850X:

• Storage Capacity: 8,192GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface Protocol: PCIe 4.0*4
• Controller Chip: WD proprietary chip
• Cache Chip: DDR4
• Flash Memory Chip: 112-layer BiCS5 TLC 3D NAND
• Sequential Read/Write Speed: 7,200MB/s, 6,600MB/s
• Random Read/Write Speed: 1,200K IOPS, 1,200K IOPS
• Durability: 4,800TBW
• Model Numbers: WDS800T2X0E / VWDS800T2XHE (the latter includes a heatsink)
• Retail Prices: 849.99 /949.99 (the latter includes a heatsink)

The SN850X is compatible with the Sony Playstation 5 console, allowing for expanded storage space. It also supports conventional PCs for use as a large-capacity, high-speed drive for gamers. However, due to its PCIe 4.0*4 interface, its read/write speeds cannot compete with PCIe 5.0 SSDs. Of course, a faster read/write speed would also mean a higher price.

This SSD does not come with a heatsink by default. If users want to purchase one with Western Digital's provided heatsink, an additional $50 is required. Gamers might also consider buying the bare drive and purchasing a separate heatsink.

High-speed read/write operations can generate significant heat for SSDs. If not properly dissipated, this can lead to throttling of the controller chip, which could affect read speeds. However, given that the SN850X's read/write speeds are not extremely high, heat issues should be manageable. Still, it's recommended to purchase the version with a heatsink.

The SSD is now available for sale on Western Digital's official store, with other e-commerce platforms like Amazon expected to list it for sale soon, providing gamers with a choice.