WD Blue SA510 2TB SATA SSD (WDS200T3B0A): features, specs and who it suits

The WD Blue SA510 is a 2TB internal solid state drive that connects over SATA III. Western Digital positions it as an upgrade for PCs still running on a hard drive, or as extra storage for creators and everyday users who want faster boot times and quicker file access. Here is what the specs mean.

What a SATA SSD changes

A solid state drive stores data on flash memory with no moving parts, so it reads and writes much faster than a spinning hard drive, particularly for small files. In general, replacing a hard drive with an SSD makes a PC start up faster, open programs more quickly and feel less laggy. Western Digital says the SA510 helps you "boot up faster, cut lag times, and speed up edits and file transfers".

Speed: what 560 MB/s means

The model is rated at up to 560 MB/s. That figure is close to the practical ceiling of the SATA III interface (6 Gb/s), which is why many SATA drives quote similar numbers. NVMe drives, which use PCIe instead, can be several times faster, but they need a compatible M.2 slot. A SATA drive suits older desktops and laptops, and for everyday tasks the difference from NVMe is often hard to notice. Real speeds vary with the file type, how full the drive is and the rest of your system.

Form factor and capacity

This drive is a 2.5-inch, 7mm model, a size that fits most laptops and desktop drive bays. The listed dimensions are about 3.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches and the weight is around 0.1 lb. Western Digital's description says the SA510 line comes in 2.5-inch or M.2 formats, so choose carefully: this one, WDS200T3B0A, is the 2TB 2.5-inch SATA version. At 2TB there is room for a large game library, a photo archive or video projects.

Software and extras

Western Digital's description mentions Acronis True Image for Western Digital, a backup and cyber protection tool with a five-year licence for a compatible drive, which needs to be downloaded, installed and redeemed within 90 days of purchase. It also mentions a three-month Dropbox Professional trial that had to be redeemed by September 30, 2023, so that offer has ended. Offers like these can change, so check Western Digital's site.

Who it suits

It suits anyone moving from a hard drive, content creators and editors who want faster project loading, and people adding a second drive to a desktop. It is a SATA drive, so it is not meant for systems that accept only M.2 NVMe.

What to check before you buy

• Bay or slot: confirm your laptop or desktop has a 2.5-inch SATA bay that takes a 7mm drive.
• Cables: desktops need a SATA data cable and a SATA power connection; some bays have them built in.
• Copying data: plan how to clone or reinstall your system; backup software can help.
• Backups: an SSD is not a substitute for keeping a second copy of important files.
• Offers: check whether any bundled software or trial offers are still valid.

The short version

• A 2TB internal SATA III SSD in the 2.5-inch, 7mm format, rated at up to 560 MB/s.
• Aimed at upgrading older PCs and speeding up boot, loading and file transfers.
• Western Digital mentions Acronis backup software; the Dropbox offer has ended.
• Not for systems that accept only M.2 NVMe drives.

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