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WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB SSD with Heatsink: features, specs and fit
A 4TB PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with heatsink, rated up to 7,300MB/s and listed as working with PlayStation 5. What the specs and features mean.
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The WD_BLACK SN850X is a gaming-oriented NVMe solid-state drive, and this listing is the 4TB version with a heatsink (model WDS400T2XHE). It uses PCIe Gen4 in the M.2 2280 size and is described as working with PlayStation 5 as well as gaming PCs and workstations. Its purpose is to give a large library fast storage and short load times.
What the speed figure means
WD_BLACK rates the 1TB to 4TB models at speeds up to 7,300MB/s. That is a sequential figure, describing the best case for moving big files. Real-world results vary with the computer, the task and how full the drive is. The jump from a SATA SSD or hard drive is typically large for loading games and moving files; the difference between this and other fast Gen4 drives is much smaller in daily use.
Capacity
The SN850X line runs from 1TB up to 8TB, built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND, according to the brand. TLC stores three bits per cell, a common design that balances capacity and durability. A 4TB drive suits a large game collection, since modern titles can take tens of gigabytes each.
The heatsink option
Every capacity has a heatsink version, and this listing is one of them. A heatsink helps the drive hold its speed in long sessions, when fast SSDs can otherwise slow down to control temperature. WD_BLACK also says the heatsink versions support customisable RGB lighting through its software. If your motherboard or PS5 slot already provides cooling, check whether the added height would be a problem.
WD_BLACK Dashboard and Game Mode 2.0
The downloadable Dashboard is for Windows only. According to the brand it monitors drive health, controls the RGB lighting and can detect games automatically to switch on Game Mode 2.0. Other features it names include Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing and Adaptive Thermal Management (ATM). They are drive firmware functions meant to keep performance steady and temperatures in check, and WD_BLACK doesn't publish detailed claims about them in this listing.
Who it suits
It suits gamers and creators who want a large, fast drive for a PC build or a PS5. It is probably more than necessary for a basic office computer.
What to check before you buy
- Slot support: you need a free M.2 2280 slot; a PCIe Gen4 slot is needed for the full rated speed, though the drive typically still works in Gen3 slots at lower speed.
- PlayStation 5: check Sony's and WD_BLACK's pages for system requirements and slot clearance.
- Heatsink height: make sure it clears your motherboard's shield or laptop bay.
- Software: Dashboard runs on Windows only.
- Capacity: usable space is below the label figure after formatting.
The short version
- 4TB PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with heatsink, model WDS400T2XHE.
- Rated at up to 7,300MB/s.
- Listed as working with PlayStation 5 and gaming PCs.
- Windows-only Dashboard software with health monitoring, RGB control and Game Mode 2.0.
- Available in sizes from 1TB to 8TB, with a heatsink option for each.
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