WD Red SN700 1TB NVMe SSD for NAS: features, specs and who it suits

The WD Red SN700 is an M.2 NVMe solid state drive that Western Digital designed for network-attached storage (NAS). This 1TB model, WDS100T1R0C, is meant to be used as fast storage inside a NAS, often as a cache that speeds up access to frequently used files. It is a small stick about the size of a stick of gum, not a 2.5-inch drive.

What NVMe, Gen3 and M.2 2280 mean

NVMe is a protocol for solid state drives that connect directly to the PCIe bus, rather than going through the older SATA interface. Western Digital lists this drive as Gen3 PCIe, with speeds of up to 3,430 MB/s. SATA SSDs typically top out around 550 MB/s, so NVMe can be several times faster in sequential transfers.

M.2 2280 describes the form factor: a card 22 mm wide and 80 mm long that plugs into an M.2 slot. The listing gives the size as about 3.1 inches long. Some slots accept only SATA M.2 drives, and some NAS units have no M.2 slots at all, so slot type matters.

Why a NAS drive differs from a standard SSD

A NAS runs around the clock, serving files to several people or devices. Western Digital says the SN700 is engineered for 24/7, always-on use, and that it is purpose-built and tested to be compatible with popular NAS systems. The brand also highlights endurance, which is how much data can be written over the drive's life, and says it can handle the heavy read and write loads of a NAS.

Where it fits in a NAS

The usual role is as a cache. A NAS stores most data on large hard drives and uses an SSD cache to keep recently or often-used data on fast storage. This can reduce delays for things like virtual machines, databases and shared editing projects. Western Digital lists virtualization, collaborative editing and intensive database storage among the uses, and says the drive suits multi-user, multitasking work.

The brand also offers the SN700 in capacities up to 4TB. As with any drive, the stated capacity uses 1 TB = one trillion bytes, so the space your system reports may be a little less.

Fitting and setup

Installation is usually simple: power the NAS down, open the bay or cover that holds the M.2 slots, insert the drive at an angle, and secure it with the screw. The NAS software then handles creating a cache or a storage volume. Follow the manual for your NAS, since some models use the slots only for caching and not for ordinary storage, and some need approved drive lists.

Who it suits

It suits small businesses, home labs and enthusiasts whose NAS has M.2 slots and a workload that benefits from fast caching, such as many users on shared files or a few virtual machines. It is less relevant if you mainly keep media that is played back once, or if your network is slower than the drive, since a standard gigabit connection tops out around 110 MB/s.

What to check before you buy

• Slot support: confirm your NAS has M.2 2280 slots that accept NVMe drives.
• Compatibility list: check the NAS maker's list of supported drives.
• Use as cache or storage: confirm whether your NAS lets you use the drive for a volume or only for caching.
• Network speed: the drive's speed matters little if the network link is the limit.
• Capacity: cache drives often don't need to be large, so consider how much frequently used data you have.
• Heat: check whether your NAS gives airflow to the slots.

The short version

• 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, Gen3 PCIe, with speeds up to 3,430 MB/s.
• Western Digital designed it for NAS use and 24/7 operation.
• Typical role: NAS caching for shared files, virtualization and databases.
• Check M.2 slot type and NAS compatibility before installing.

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