The Western Digital Blue (1TB) SSD Review: WD Returns to SSDs
by Billy Tallis on October 11, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- SSDs
- Storage
- Western Digital
- SanDisk
Sequential Read Performance
The sequential read test requests 128kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test spans the entire drive, and the drive is filled before the test begins. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
While the SanDisk X400 tied the best MLC SSDs for sequential read speed, the WD Blue is merely average overall.
The WD Blue draws slightly less power than the X400, but given the size of the performance regression the WD Blue is actually less efficient for once.
 |
|||||||||
The WD Blue seems to hit a performance plateau that is a bit shy of saturating the SATA link, and then it slows down at the highest queue depths.
Sequential Write Performance
The sequential write test writes 128kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test spans the entire drive, and the drive is filled before the test begins. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
The WD Blue has a faster sequential write speed than the X400, but doesn't quite catch up to the OCZ Trion 150. Most MLC and 3D TLC drives are significantly faster than the planar TLC drives.
The WD Blue draws more power than the SanDisk X400 during the sequential write test, but it is justified by the improved performance. Efficiency is still only good by planar TLC standards.
 |
|||||||||
The WD Blue's sequential read speed is constant across all queue depths, without even an increase from QD1 to QD2.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
75 Comments
View All Comments
Lolimaster - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
This article need a "The Rock" picFinally, HDD vendors make it back to consumer hearts, with an SSD.
Lolimaster - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
The Mushkin Reactor is still a champ if you don't wanna go for the 850Pro.Lolimaster - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I think you only got 3-4 options for SSD's.Samsung 850Pro
Crucial MX300
Mushkin Reactor
*Add Hynix SSD's when they sell the 1TB model.
Lolimaster - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
*Samsung 850Pro/EVO2016, still no edit button...
mapesdhs - Friday, October 14, 2016 - link
Sad part is we'll be saying the same thing next year.MrGulio - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Each time I see a new SSD review it reminds me more and more what a garbage fire the BX200 is.Bulat Ziganshin - Saturday, October 15, 2016 - link
here in russia samsung 750 and sandisk ultra 2 are good competition too, providing prices comparable to trion 150 devices. but on american amazon they are no better than mx300Bullwinkle J Moose - Saturday, October 15, 2016 - link
Extra large premium for the Pro???I require a minimum of 160GB for my Boot Drives in my test Rigs so I need 250 - 256GB SSD's minimum
Lets look at the Huge Premium at Newegg for the 250/256GB EVO & Pro
Oct 15 2016
850 EVO / 250GB $99.99 OUT OF STOCK
850 Pro / 256GB $123 IN STOCK
850 EVO warranty 3 years
850 Pro warranty 10 years
850 EVO TLC Nand
850 Pro MLC Nand (40nm process)
Firmware problems
850 EVO ???
850 Pro None
Would anyone here spend more than the difference in price between these 2 SSD's just for an extended warranty on an EVO?
The better buy is the Pro!
It also has much better compatability with various Operating Systems than PCIe / M.2 SSDs
I'm using mine for Windows XP / Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 and Linux Mint
Try running any OS that is not a DRM Spyware Platform on your precious M.2 drive
TheinsanegamerN - Monday, October 17, 2016 - link
linux mint/ubuntu/arch/ece love the 950 pro.SeanJ76 - Thursday, October 20, 2016 - link
Intel>all other SSD manufactuers