Home / Tech · Product overviews / Computers & Accessories / Internal Components · More from WD_BLACK
WD_BLACK 2TB SN770M M.2 2230 NVMe SSD: features, specs and who it suits
A 2TB M.2 2230 NVMe SSD for handheld gaming devices and compact laptops, rated at up to 5,150 MB/s with a five-year warranty. What the specs mean.
This page contains an affiliate link, marked as such. If you buy through it, Bloiq may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The WD_BLACK SN770M is a small solid-state drive for devices that have an M.2 2230 slot. Western Digital aims it at handheld gaming PCs such as the Valve Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, and at compact laptops including many Microsoft Surface and Dell models. The 2TB version is a way to give those devices much more room for games and files.
What M.2 2230 means
M.2 is a card format, and the numbers give its size: 2230 means 22 mm wide and 30 mm long. Most desktop and laptop SSDs are the longer 2280 size, which will not fit in the compact slots of handheld devices. The SN770M, at about 1.2 x 0.9 inches, is made for the shorter slot.
It uses the NVMe protocol, which talks to the processor over PCI Express. In general, NVMe drives are much quicker than SATA drives, especially for loading large files.
Speed in context
Western Digital rates the 1TB and 2TB models at up to 5,150 MB/s. That is a maximum figure under test conditions, and real speeds depend on the device, the file type and how full the drive is. For gaming, faster storage usually shortens game installs and level loads, which is the benefit Western Digital highlights.
Some handheld devices cannot use the full speed of the drive because of how their slot is wired, so a device may deliver less than the headline figure.
Capacity and flash memory
The drive offers up to 2TB, and this listing is for the 2TB size. It uses Western Digital TLC 3D NAND, a flash type that stores three bits per cell. TLC is common in mainstream SSDs and is generally a balance of capacity and endurance.
For a handheld whose built-in storage fills quickly with modern games, 2TB holds a much larger library.
Software and warranty
The Western Digital Dashboard is available for Windows only and is used to keep the drive tuned. Western Digital backs the drive with a five-year limited warranty.
Upgrading a laptop
Western Digital also positions the drive for refreshing or expanding the storage in a laptop that uses M.2 2230 SSDs. Whether your laptop does depends on the model, so check the manual or manufacturer's page.
Who it suits
It suits owners of a Steam Deck, ROG Ally or similar handheld who want more room, and people with a compact laptop using an M.2 2230 drive. It is not for devices that need the longer 2280 size.
What to check before you buy
- Slot size: confirm your device uses M.2 2230 and NVMe.
- Compatibility: check the maker's guidance on which drives your handheld or laptop supports.
- Moving data: plan how to copy or reinstall your games and system, and back up first.
- Opening the device: swapping a drive can involve opening the case, which may affect the device warranty.
- Software: the Dashboard is Windows only.
- Heat: check whether your device has room for the drive and any needed shield.
The short version
- A 2TB M.2 2230 NVMe SSD from WD_BLACK, model WDBDNH0020BBK-WRSN.
- Rated by Western Digital at up to 5,150 MB/s.
- Made for handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, and some compact laptops.
- TLC 3D NAND storage.
- Five-year limited warranty.
Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.
