WD_BLACK SN850P 4TB SSD for PS5: features, specs and who it suits

The WD_BLACK SN850P is an M.2 solid-state drive made to expand the storage of a PlayStation 5 console. The 4TB model, model number WDBBYV0040BNC-WRSN, comes with a heatsink designed for the console's M.2 slot. It is meant for players whose built-in storage fills up quickly and who would rather keep games installed than delete and re-download them.

What "officially licensed" means here

WD_BLACK describes the SN850P as officially licensed storage for PS5 consoles, and as tested and approved for them. In practice that means the drive is intended to work with the console's expansion slot without guesswork about compatibility. The brand points readers to its own site for the PS5 system software versions that are supported, so it is worth checking there before you order.

Capacity: how many games fit

The range runs from 1TB to 4TB. WD_BLACK says the 4TB model can hold up to about 100 games, based on an average of 36GB per game. Real numbers vary, because game sizes differ widely, and some capacity is always used by formatting and system files. The brand also notes that 1TB is defined as one trillion bytes, which is why the usable space shown by a device is typically a little lower than the label.

What PCIe Gen 4 and 7,300MB/s mean

PCIe Gen 4 is the interface generation used by the console's M.2 slot, and the SN850P is rated at read speeds up to 7,300MB/s. That figure comes from the brand's internal testing and depends on the host device, usage and capacity. For a console, the practical benefit is shorter load times and the ability to play games directly from the expansion drive, so there's no need to move titles back and forth between internal and external storage.

The heatsink

Fast NVMe drives generate heat under sustained use, and many reduce their speed when they get too hot. The SN850P ships with a heatsink that WD_BLACK says is optimised for the PS5. That matters because the console's M.2 bay has limited room and the slot expects a drive with a cooling solution that fits it. The drive itself is small, around 3.1 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches (roughly 79 x 23 x 10 mm) and about 0.1 lb.

Setting it up

Installation generally means opening the console's M.2 cover, fitting the drive in the slot, and following the console's on-screen steps to format it. Follow Sony's and WD_BLACK's instructions for your console model, since cover removal and slot access differ slightly between versions.

Who it suits

It suits PS5 owners with a large and growing library who want one big drive instead of juggling installs. It is less relevant if you play mostly a handful of titles that already fit on the internal drive.

What to check before you buy

• Console compatibility: confirm your PS5 model and system software against the brand's compatibility page.
• Capacity: work out your usual library size, remembering that usable space is below the label figure.
• Heatsink clearance: this drive is built with the heatsink for the PS5 slot; check the manual if you plan to use it in anything else.
• Speed expectations: the 7,300MB/s figure is a best-case figure, not a promise for every task.
• What's in the box: the listing mentions a short PlayStation Plus trial that must be redeemed by a set date and is not open to existing subscribers, so read its terms.

The short version

• A 4TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD, model WDBBYV0040BNC-WRSN, licensed for PlayStation 5.
• Rated at read speeds up to 7,300MB/s, based on WD_BLACK's internal testing.
• Includes a heatsink designed for the console's M.2 slot.
• WD_BLACK says the 4TB size holds up to about 100 games at 36GB each.
• Check PS5 system software compatibility on the brand's site first.

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