KingSpec 256GB SSD PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe M.2 2242
Western Digital Black SN850X 4TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280
What Buyers Say
KingSpec 256GB SSD PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe M.2 2242
The drive is generally well-received, especially for use in WWAN slots of laptops like ThinkPads and Dells, and in Raspberry Pi setups. Users praise its compatibility, price, and adequate performance for everyday tasks. However, one verified review reported a drive failure after about two years, though the seller's responsive customer service mitigated the issue. Overall, sentiment is positive with a note on reliability concerns.
Pros
- Works in WWAN slots
- Good price
- Adequate speed for daily use
- Compatible with Raspberry Pi
- Easy installation
Cons
- Drive failure after 2 years
- Not the fastest
- DRAM-less design
- Limited to PCIe 2x
Western Digital Black SN850X 4TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280
The WD Black SN850X is highly praised for its blazing speed, reliability, and value, often compared favorably to pricier alternatives like Samsung and Solidigm. Users report excellent performance in gaming (especially PS5) and general use, with a few concerns about potential issues mitigated by firmware updates. Overall, it's seen as a top-tier NVMe drive, especially when on sale.
Pros
- Blazing fast speeds
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable high-capacity storage
- Great for PS5
- Easy installation
Cons
- Potential firmware issues
- No heatsink included
- Pricey when not on sale
Scores
Specifications
| KingSpec 256GB SSD | Western Digital Black SN850X | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Form Factor | M.2 2242 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x2 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Protocol | NVMe | NVMe |
| PCIe Generation | 3 | 4★ |
| External | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance | ||
| Sequential Read (MB/s) | ||
| Sequential Write (MB/s) | ||
| Random Read (IOPS) | ||
| Random Write (IOPS) | ||
| Hardware | ||
| NAND | TLC | TLC |
| DRAM Cache | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Controller | — | WD 20-82-20035-B1 |
| Reliability | ||
| Endurance (TBW) | No data | |
| MTBF (hours) | ||
| Warranty (years) | 3 | 5★ |
| Features | ||
| Heatsink | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hardware Encryption | — | ✗ |
Pros & Cons
KingSpec 256GB SSD PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe M.2 2242
- Strong affordability (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Below average capacity (17th percentile)17th %ile
Western Digital Black SN850X 4TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280
- Strong random (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong capacity (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Below average affordability (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 6 of 6 usage categories and 10 of 18 specs.