PC World - USA (2020-02)

(Antfer) #1
FEBRUARY 2020 PCWorld 63

48GB tests, but the SN550 is a compelling
improvement on its predecessor—and
considering the price, plenty fast enough.


BOTTOM LINE
The WD Blue SN550’s price, and its suitability
for the average user, are undeniable. It’s
definitely one of the top options in the
bargain NVMe market and from a trusted
brand name. Compare to the Kingston
KC2000 and the Addlink S70 (go.pcworld.
com/as70).


WD Blue SN550 NVMe M.2 SSD


PROS


  • Extremely affordable at the 1TB capacity.

  • Good everyday performance.
    CONS

  • Drops to 835MBps during long copies.
    BOTTOM LINE
    A 1TB drive for $100 is easy to like, and we were
    nearly all smiles with this notable improvement on
    the Blue SN500. Only the slightly skimpy amount of
    SLC cache wrinkled our brows. Note that the 250GB
    capacity maxes out at 950MBps writing, rather than
    the 1.75GBps at which we clocked the 1TB version.
    $124


48GB Write

48GB Read

48GB copies
(Seconds)

LONGER BARS INDICATE BETTER PERFORMANCE

402

346
Tot al

48GB Folder Write

48GB Folder Read

In real-world copies, the SN550 matched the Addlink S70, but was off the pace of the Kingston KC2000.


Addlink S70

WD Blue SN550 WD Blue SN500
Kingston KC2000

347
305

137

141
126
121

155

148
143
128

65

28
45
28

45

29
33
28
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