Ever because it got here out on the finish of final 12 months, the WD Blue SN550 has been one of many best SSDs you can buy today. Its predecessor, the Blue SN500, was already glorious worth, however the SN550 pushed its efficiency even additional, providing quicker learn and write speeds whereas additionally making it obtainable in a brand new 1TB dimension capability. It’s that high 1TB mannequin that’s on sale within the UK proper now, too, with costs falling from its typical £115 to a really agreeable £95 over at Amazon.
You will, in fact, want a appropriate motherboard to utilize the WD Blue SN550, because it’s an NVMe drive reasonably than a standard SATA one. Most fashionable motherboards ought to have a minimum of one M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, however if you happen to’re unsure then it could be clever to do a fast double examine earlier than you hit that purchase button. If you’re unsure what an M.2 port appears to be like like, learn our information on how to install your SSD to seek out out what try to be on the lookout for.
Alas, the identical deal isn’t obtainable within the US for the time being, the place you’ll discover it for $105 at time of writing, however that’s nonetheless a bit decrease than its typical asking worth of $120.
I’ve banged on concerning the WD Blue SN550 plenty of times before, however this actually is a stupidly good worth SSD, no matter what dimension you go for. It’s significantly quicker than its equally priced SATA rivals, for instance, and it’s a lot better worth than choosing a costlier NVMe SSD such because the WD Black SN750 or Samsung 970 Evo Plus. Indeed, a 1TB SN750 will set you again £140 / $135 at time of writing, whereas a 1TB 970 Evo Plus prices an much more extortionate £167 / $190.
Those are ridiculous costs when the WD Blue SN550 provides equivalent random learn speeds and solely mildly slower random write speeds to the Black SN750, and quicker random write speeds than the 970 Evo Plus. The Samsung nonetheless has the sting over each WD drives in the case of random learn speeds, however the distinction definitely isn’t value shelling out an additional £70-odd for.
Other SSD offers are, in fact, obtainable, if you happen to’re after a special dimension capability or a plain, old style SATA SSD, so be sure to take a look at our often up to date SSD deals hub for all of the lowest costs.
