But far from the fastest on the market.
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It's not that we've tested so many SSDs through 2017, but we've nevertheless got our dose of models with the well-known SATA interface.
That is why we round off the year with something that provides even better performance, namely PCI Express. This time in the form of Western Digital's only SSD in just this segment: WD Black PCIe.
From now on we have been to both WD Green and WD Blue, and for those of you who remember the old hard disks it will be obvious that the "black" edition will offer better performance and higher price tag.
WD Black PCIe also does not offer as much storage space as the WD Blue mentioned, and its interface only results in "chewing gum package" M.2 2280.
Here we have a single-sided SSD with M-key and blue circuit board. But the sticker makes it quite clear what kind of creature this is.
Today's test object has a capacity of 512 GB, but the SSD is also included with only 256 GB - if the specified writing speed is also slightly lower.
WD Black PCIe does not have either 3D or MLC memory, nor does it tolerate equally hard usage - measured in TBW (total bytes written) - as more comparable competitors. However, for typical home use, this should not be a problem within the warranty period.
Physics and software
The device comes in a box that could fit the room a regular 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive. Naturally, it does not follow brackets, wires or screws of any kind, as the M.2-SSDs are usually attached directly to the motherboard.
Like other SSD manufacturers, Western Digital has its own control software that allows you to keep a close eye on the disk's health. This is called the WD SSD Dashboard and is freely available from WD's websites.
In addition to seeing details about disk status, you can use SSD Dashboard to upgrade the firmware and ensure secure deletion. It is also possible to set up e-mail notification in case of any irregularities with the disk.
Should you wish to clone the contents of your old hard drive or SSD, you also have access to Acronis True Image WD Edition Software. This software works license-free as long as you have a WD or SanDisk-labeled disk in the setup.
The SSD Dashboard can, among other things, be used to keep an eye on the disk's health, upgrade the firmware, and ensure safe deletion. It is also possible to set up e-mail notification in case of any irregularities with the disk.
Slightly faster than nearest competitor
When comparing WD Black with more expensive top models, such as the Samsung 960 Pro, we see it reaching the same speeds to a great extent.
Browse to read about the test and see all the results >>>
However, WD Black PCIe also has a completely different price tag. The 256GB edition is not much more expensive than a regular SATA SSD with the same capacity, while the 512GB is a good one-time chip less expensive than a similar Samsung 960 Pro.
As such, our test object is rather a more natural competitor for the Intel 600p Series, as these alternatives cost about the same.
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In pure performance there is a small difference between these two, and then mostly in favor of WD Black. The Western Digital disk also does not have an equally slow buffer and does not become critical during pure read operations. However, this does not mean that this disc is exempt from heat loss by heavy writing over time.
Should the disc reach 82 degrees or so, it reduces the speed. If you have a PC without any refrigeration and this is a problem, it is always possible to use a PCIe adapter with cooling ribs or other solutions to spread the heat.
Conclusion
Proud Ante: WD Black is a well-known name for many old data enthusiasts.
Proud Ante: WD Black is a well-known name for many old data enthusiasts. Picture: Vegar Jansen, Tek.no
WD Black PCIe SSD is an M.2 SSD with PCIe interface and NVMe support. It is among the market's most affordable alternatives in this category, which means you do not have to spend much more than a corresponding SATA SSD.
However, it requires a motherboard with an available M.2 slot or you use it with an adapter in a PCIe slot. If your motherboard does not have NVMe support, you can not use it as a system disk.
However, if you have a relatively new setup, WD Black PCIe can give you faster read and write speeds than you can achieve over the regular SATA interface.
The disk offers relatively good performance and is largely in front of the Intel 600p Series in our tests. Temperaturely, it also tackles heavier loads better. However, it has a lower limit than its competitors on how many transcripts it will tolerate.
The biggest problem for WD Black PCIe - and for that matter, the Intel 600p competitor - is the well-known Samsung 960 Evo. Samsungen is a bit more expensive than a PCIe model with similar capacity from WD or Intel, but if you have the performance in focus there is no doubt that the 960 Evo is a much greater temptation.
However, should you have a little tight budget and simply want a SSD that is faster than the neighbor's SATA SSD, WD Black PCIe can be a great option.