New WD Blue SN5000 SSD Review: Why It's the Best Budget-Friendly Speed Boost for Your PC

Western Digital continues to expand its well-regarded series of storage solutions with the WD Blue SN5000 1TB NVMe SSD, a drive designed to strike an optimal balance between cost and performance for mainstream users. Known for its reliability and competitive pricing, the WD Blue line has consistently garnered attention in the tech community. This review delves into the newest addition to this series, exploring its features, performance, and overall value.

Design and Build

The WD Blue SN5000 retains the classic aesthetic that fans of the series might recognize. It features a single-sided M.2 2280 form factor that fits snugly into most modern desktops and laptops. The layout of the NAND package and the controller is somewhat iconic for WD, purportedly offering thermal benefits, though results may vary by user environment.

Performance Under the Hood

This SSD does not come with a DRAM cache but sports a proprietary in-house controller paired with Kioxia 112-layer TLC NAND flash memory. For those looking into higher capacity models, it's interesting to note that the 4TB variant switches to Kioxia 162-layer QLC, which might affect endurance and performance.

Speaking of performance, the 1TB model we reviewed boasts impressive speeds with up to 5150MB/s read and 4900MB/s write, significantly surpassing its predecessor, the SN580. This marks a notable step up in the mid-range SSD market, although it doesn’t fully exploit the potential of its Gen4 interface.

Capacity and Endurance

The SN5000 series is available in sizes from 500GB to 4TB. The 1TB model promises an endurance of 600 TBW (terabytes written), which aligns with industry standards for durability and longevity. Larger capacities, however, do not proportionately increase endurance, which might be a concern for users with high data workloads.

Testing and Compatibility

Our tests were conducted on a high-end setup featuring an MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk motherboard and an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor, with the SSD installed in a slot that supports up to PCIe Gen 5 x4 speeds. CrystalDiskInfo confirmed that we were operating at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds using NVMe 1.4, maximizing the interface's capabilities within the constraints of the SSD.

A Solid Choice for Mainstream Users

The WD Blue SN5000 1TB NVMe SSD stands out in the crowded SSD market by offering a solid balance of performance, capacity, and price. While it may not satisfy the top-tier performance metrics sought by enthusiasts, for mainstream consumers, it represents a robust choice capable of handling everyday computing tasks with ease. Coupled with a 5-year warranty, it offers reassurance for those looking for a reliable storage upgrade or replacement. Whether you're a casual user or someone looking for a cost-effective but capable SSD, the WD Blue SN5000 should be on your radar.