The PC SN5000S drives are powered by Western Digital's latest in-house controller, which supports a PCIe 4.0 x4 host interface and BICS6 3D QLC NAND memory.

Western Digital has recently launched its new series of Solid State Drives (SSDs), the PC SN5000S, designed for mainstream PCs. These SSDs are a blend of high performance and affordability, making them an attractive choice for consumers. The PC SN5000S SSD family of DRAM-less drives utilizes Western Digital's 3D Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND memory and a proprietary platform, promising a cost-effective solution without compromising on performance. Notably, these SSDs offer a sequential read performance of up to 6,000 MB/s.

Technical Specifications

The PC SN5000S SSD drives are powered by Western Digital's latest in-house controller, which supports a PCIe 4.0 x4 host interface and BICS6 3D QLC NAND memory. The controller is fully compatible with Western Digital's nCache 4.0 HybridSLC technology, which includes endurance monitoring to ensure reliable performance. Additionally, it supports RSA-3K and SHA-384 encryption, along with TCG Opal 2.02 and Pyrite security capabilities.

PC SN5000S Capacity and Performance

In terms of capacity, the PC SN5000S drives will be available in 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB configurations. The 2TB PC SN5000S model boasts a sequential read speed of up to 6,000 MB/s, a sequential write speed of up to 5,600 MB/s, random read IOPS of up to 750,000, and random write IOPS of up to 900,000. These SSDs will be offered in M.2-2230 and M.2-2280 form factors.

Performance Comparison with other WD SSDs

Despite using QLC NAND flash, which is generally slower, Western Digital's latest SN5000S drive outperforms the TLC-based SN740 by 16.5% in reads and 15.5% in writes. The SN740 1TB model is slightly faster in writes, reducing the SN5000S's lead to a still impressive 14.3%.

While the performance of Western Digital's PC SN5000S hardly impresses customers, who tend to look at the highest-end SSDs, 1TB and 2TB versions offer considerably higher performance than most entry-level drives on the market today. What disappoints is the relatively low endurance of Western Digital's new SSDs compared to entry-level drives from other makers.

The QLC NAND SSDs

QLC NAND typically lags in performance compared to other types of NAND due to its storage of four bits per cell, while other technologies store fewer bits. Single-Level Cell (SLC) stores one bit per cell, Multi-Level Cell (MLC) stores two, and Triple-Level Cell (TLC) stores three. Fewer bits generally translate into better performance and endurance. While more bits increase data density, they often result in reduced performance and increased wear on the NAND. However, there are strategies to enhance the performance of QLC and other multi-bit types of NAND. One key method is the use of an SLC cache. SSDs can perform significantly better by designating a portion of their cells as pseudo-SLC. This approach is only effective with completely empty cells, and SSDs that use pseudo-SLC need to consolidate data into fewer cells to maintain this performance boost.

The PC SN5000S Form Factors

The PC SN5000S is Western Digital's latest mainstream consumer SSD, available in the M.2 2280 "gumstick" and the small PC-compatible M.2 2230 form factors, with up to 2TB of storage. It essentially replaces the WD PC SN740 SSD series, which is offered in the same capacities and form factors.

The difference between M.2 2230 and M.2 2280 form factors lies in their physical dimensions. The numbers 2230 and 2280 refer to the width and length of the SSDs in millimeters (mm).

• An M.2 2230 SSD measures 22mm in width and 30mm in length.
• An M.2 2280 SSD measures 22mm in width and 80mm in length.

These form factors are designed to accommodate different system sizes. The smaller M.2 2230 is commonly used in compact devices like ultrabooks or tablets, where internal space is limited. On the other hand, the larger M.2 2280 is more commonly used in desktops and laptops.

In terms of performance and capacity, both may have similar performance if they use the same memory type and controller. However, a larger M.2 2280 SSD generally offers more storage capacity compared to a smaller M.2 2230 SSD. It’s important to consider these factors and match the SSD to your motherboard’s supported sizes when choosing the right SSD for your system.

WD SSD Endurance

When it comes to endurance, Western Digital rates 2TB PC SN5000S at 600 terabytes to be written, 1TB version at 300TBW, and 512GB at 150TBW, which is significantly lower compared to entry-level SSDs with similar capacities (yet higher compared to WD Green branded drives).

The SN5000S Models Comparison

The 2TB SKU has an advertised write endurance of 600 TBW, while the 1TB has 300 and the 512GB has 150. The SN5000S 2TB also has an extra 100TB worth of endurance compared to its predecessor, though it is worth noting that the 1TB model of the SN5000S only has 300TBW of endurance to the SN740 1TB's 400TBW. Additionally, the SN5000S uses a little more power at peak than the SN740. These figures suggest that the endurance levels of all three models are on the lower side, with the company's own SN770 (WD Black) drives offering up to 1200 TBW of write endurance. Disappointingly, the quoted figures for the 1TB and 512GB models are even lower than some competing entry-level SSDs.

PC SN5000S Market Position

Western Digital primarily markets its PC SN5000S solid-state drives for OEMs, where they succeed the company's WD SN740-series SSD. For PC makers, the drives are fast enough, and perhaps more importantly, they support advanced encryption technologies as well as TCG Opal 2.02 and Pyrite security capabilities, which is crucial for desktops and laptops sold to various U.S. government agencies. Overall, the PC SN5000S drives offer a decent option for people looking at low-cost entry-level SSDs, but better options are available. That said, depending on their pricing, the new lineup could still be a success. Western Digital hasn't announced price points yet, but we expect them to be affordable, making them relatively attractive for people wanting a cheap storage drive with decent performance.

Symptoms of SSD Failure

SSD, or Solid State Drive, is a type of storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data. Although SSDs are known for their speed and reliability, they can fail over time. Here are some common symptoms of WD SSD failure:

• Slow Performance: If your SSD is taking longer than usual to boot up or load files, it could be a sign of impending failure.
• Corrupted Data: If you're frequently encountering errors when trying to access your files, or if files are suddenly disappearing, your SSD might be failing.
• Bad Blocks: Like traditional hard drives, SSDs can have bad blocks. While a few bad blocks are normal, an increase in bad blocks is a sign of SSD failure.
• Frequent Crashes: If your system frequently crashes, especially during boot up, this is a common sign of an SSD failure.
• Failure to Boot: If your system fails to boot or your SSD is not detected by your system, it could be a sign of SSD failure.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to back up your data immediately and consider replacing your SSD. Remember, it's always important to regularly back up your data to prevent loss in case of SSD failure. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, consider consulting with a data recovery professionals.

ACE Data Recovery Services for Western Digital SSDs

ACE Data Recovery, a leading provider of SSD data recovery services, offers comprehensive support and assistance for Western Digital SSDs. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, ACE Data Recovery has developed custom solutions for Western Digital products, making it a trusted partner for data retrieval and restoration.

Unmatched Data Recovery Services

ACE Data Recovery engineers are capable of recovering data from all types of storage devices, including hard drive recovery, solid state drives, and RAIDs. Regardless of the brand or model of your device, ACE Data Recovery is confident in its ability to retrieve your data. The company's data recovery advisors are trained to assist individuals who need to retrieve data from their Western Digital or other hard drives, or those who can’t access critical files on their SSDs.

ACE Data Recovery has earned a reputation for its successful data recovery services. The company boasts one of the highest industry success rates on approved cases, retrieving data from devices considered unrecoverable by other companies. Many Fortune 500 companies and government entities trust ACE Data Recovery with their data, and numerous IT companies recommend ACE Data Recovery to their clients, knowing that they’ll receive advanced data recovery services.

Partnership with Western Digital

Through a special agreement with Western Digital, ACE Data Recovery is officially authorized and recommended to provide data recovery services on all Western Digital storage devices. This partnership underscores the trust and confidence that Western Digital has in ACE Data Recovery's services.

Overall, whether you're an individual facing data loss or a business in need of data recovery services, ACE Data Recovery offers professional, fast, and economical solutions. With its unrivaled expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, ACE Data Recovery stands as a reliable partner for seamless data retrieval and restoration.