WD Green 2TB SATA SSD (WDS200T2G0A): features, specs and who it suits

The Western Digital WD Green 2TB (model WDS200T2G0A) is an internal solid state drive in the 2.5-inch, 7mm format with a SATA III interface. It is meant for upgrading laptops and desktop PCs from a hard drive, or for adding fast storage to an existing system.

What SATA III and 550 MB/s mean

SATA III runs at 6 Gb/s, which in practice limits real transfers to roughly 550 MB/s. Western Digital rates this drive at up to 550 MB/s, so it is about as fast as the interface permits. That is far faster than a typical hard drive, and it affects boot time, application launches and file copies. NVMe drives can be faster, but they need an M.2 slot with that support.

SLC caching

Western Digital says SLC (single-level cell) caching boosts write performance for everyday tasks. SLC caching uses part of the flash as a fast write area for short bursts of data, then moves it to its permanent location. Long, sustained writes can slow once that cache fills, which is typical of drives that use this approach.

Size and form factors

The drive is 2.5 inches wide and 7mm thick. The 7mm height fits most laptops and standard desktop drive bays, though desktops may need a bracket for a 3.5-inch bay. Western Digital notes that the Green line is also available in an M.2 2280 form factor. This listing is the 2.5-inch cased version, so check the model number if you need M.2.

Low power and durability

Western Digital describes ultra-low power draw so a laptop can run for longer. The drive is also called shock-resistant, which follows from having no moving parts. WD says it was tested in its F.I.T. Lab for compatibility and reliability with a wide range of PCs.

WD SSD Dashboard

Western Digital provides a free SSD Dashboard for monitoring the drive. Dashboards like this usually show capacity, health and firmware information.

Capacity

At 2TB the drive offers room for a large library of games, photos, video projects or a full system image. Keep in mind that the capacity shown by an operating system is a bit lower than the label, because of how storage is counted and formatted.

Who it suits

It suits owners of older laptops and desktops with a SATA port, anyone replacing a slow hard drive, and users who want a second internal drive for bulk storage.

What to check before you buy

• Interface: confirm your device has a free SATA port or a 2.5-inch bay. This is not an NVMe drive.
• Thickness: 7mm fits most laptops, but check yours.
• Mounting: desktops may need a 2.5-to-3.5-inch bracket and a SATA data cable and power connection.
• Moving your data: plan a clone or fresh install, and keep a backup.
• Compatibility: the F.I.T. Lab testing is Western Digital's own, so check your system's manual.
• Use case: heavy sustained writes may suit a different drive type.

The short version

• 2TB internal SSD, SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5-inch and 7mm.
• Rated up to 550 MB/s.
• SLC caching for everyday write speed.
• Low power draw, shock-resistant, tested in WD's F.I.T. Lab.
• Free WD SSD Dashboard for monitoring.

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