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WD Blue SA510 1TB M.2 SATA SSD (WDS100T3B0B): specs and compatibility
A 1TB M.2 2280 SATA III solid-state drive from Western Digital with up to 560 MB/s reads. What the SATA interface means and which PCs it fits.
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The WD Blue SA510 1TB (WDS100T3B0B) is a solid-state drive in the M.2 2280 format that uses the SATA III interface. Western Digital positions it as an upgrade for a PC that still runs from a hard drive or an older SSD, aimed at professionals and creators who want faster start-up, shorter waits and quicker file transfers. The key detail is that this M.2 drive talks SATA, not NVMe.
M.2 2280, but SATA
M.2 describes the shape: a small stick that fits a motherboard slot. The 2280 means 22 mm wide and 80 mm long. But M.2 slots carry different interfaces. This drive uses SATA III at 6 Gb/s, the same interface as 2.5-inch SATA drives. Many M.2 slots support both SATA and NVMe, but some support only one, so the motherboard or laptop manual should be checked.
Western Digital also says the SA510 line is available in 2.5-inch or M.2 versions. This listing is the M.2 2280 model.
Speed figures
Western Digital rates the drive at up to 560 MB/s sequential read and up to 520 MB/s sequential write. Those figures are close to the ceiling of the SATA III interface. They are well above a typical hard drive, which usually manages around 100 to 200 MB/s sequentially and is much slower at small random reads. NVMe drives can go several times faster, but SATA is often enough for operating systems, office work, general applications and many games.
The brand describes these as "up to" figures, so actual speeds vary with the system, the file type and how full the drive is.
1TB of space
The 1TB capacity is generally enough for an operating system, a working set of applications and a library of documents, photos or several large games. As with all drives, the capacity reported by your operating system will be a little lower than 1TB because of how manufacturers count bytes and formatting.
Software and extras
The product description says the drive includes Acronis True Image for Western Digital, backup and cyber protection software. It also mentions a Dropbox Professional trial, but that offer had an expiry date in 2023, so it is no longer something to count on.
Size
The module is about 3.1 inches long and weighs next to nothing, which makes it suitable for thin laptops, small-form-factor PCs and mini PCs with an M.2 slot. It has no moving parts, which is why it makes less noise and tolerates movement better than a hard drive.
Who it suits
It suits someone upgrading an older laptop or desktop with an M.2 slot that supports SATA, or a builder who wants solid-state storage without needing the top speeds of NVMe. It is less suited to people moving very large files all day, who may prefer NVMe.
What to check before you buy
- Slot type: confirm your M.2 slot accepts SATA drives, not only NVMe.
- Length: check that the slot supports the 2280 size.
- Cloning: plan how to move your existing system across, for example with backup software.
- Heat: check whether your board or laptop needs a heat spreader.
- Backup: keep copies of important files regardless of the drive.
The short version
- A 1TB M.2 2280 SSD using the SATA III 6 Gb/s interface.
- Rated up to 560 MB/s read and 520 MB/s write.
- Needs an M.2 slot that supports SATA; it is not an NVMe drive.
- Includes Acronis True Image for Western Digital backup software, per the brand.
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