WD Blue SN500 M.2 NVMe SSD Review (500GB) – Saying Goodbye to SATA

PCMARK 8 STORAGE 2.0

The SSD Review uses PCMark 8’s Storage test suite to create testing scenarios that might be used in the typical user experience. With 10 traces recorded from Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office and a selection of popular games, it covers some of the most popular light to heavy workloads. Unlike synthetic storage tests, the PCMark 8 Storage benchmark highlights real-world performance differences between storage devices. After an initial break-in cycle and three rounds of the testing, we are given a file score and bandwidth amount. The higher the score/bandwidth, the better the drive performs.

The total Score of 5053 is decent for any two lane SSD along with the average bandwidth of 461MB/s as shown in the following chart:

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We actually considered not including the chart but something that most wouldn’t have expected is that this PCIe 3.0 x2 (two lane) SSD betters other PCIe X4 (four lane) SSDs which should never occur.

TxBENCH

TxBench is one of our newly discovered benchmarks that we works much the same as Crystal Diskmark, but with several other features.  Advanced load benchmarking can be configured, as well as full drive information and data erasing via secure erase, enhanced secure erase, TRIM and overwriting.  Simply click on the title for a free copy.

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PCMARK VANTAGE X64 HDD SUITE

The SSD Review uses benchmark software called PCMark Vantage x64 HDD Suite to create testing scenarios that might be used in the typical user experience. There are eight tests in all and the tests performed to record the speed of data movement in MB/s to which they are then given a numerical score after all of the tests are complete. The simulations are as follows:

  • Windows Defender In Use
  • Streaming Data from storage in games such as Alan Wake which allows for massive worlds and riveting non-stop action
  • Importing digital photos into Windows Photo Gallery
  • Starting the Vista Operating System
  • Home Video editing with Movie Maker which can be very time consuming
  • Media Center which can handle video recording, time shifting and streaming from Windows media center to an extender such as XBox
  • Cataloging a music library
  • Starting applications

WD Blue SN500 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD RESULTS

There really isn’t much we can say with respect to PCMark Vantage except of course that the difference between a two lane SSD and four lane SSDs is evident.

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4 comments

  1. blank

    That’s great news.
    FYI, spell check is wonderful but it just can not beat a good read thru by your mom.

    “The difference between this and most M.2 SSDs today is that it is uses two PCIe lanes vice four.”
    *VERSUS – not vice

    ” This cuts performance just about in have from enthusiast SSDs but that applies just the same to the price point.”
    *HALF – not have

    – You’re grounded for a week!
    No allowance until you learn proper grammar!
    I think that X-Box you play with has rotted your brain and not to mention that other thing you keep playing with will make you go blind!

    -Your Dad
    P.S.
    Clean out the garage and wash my car!

    • blank

      Love guys like you…you reassure me that I still have someone reading my work.

      The definition of ‘vice’ in Merriam-Webster is “rather than…as in ‘two PCIe lanes vice four’ as I said. Although, ‘versus’ could be considered, I would term it an odd choice as most people define ‘versus’ as one thing against another, and not one thing rather than the other.

    • blank

      Funny to read this after finishing an otherwise technical (and in general well written) article. Made my day. 🙂

  2. blank

    Hi
    I seek a 256gb ssd to put in an enclosure with JMS583 controller. I seek the fastest ssd and the coolest. with a price around 50 euros top. It is for windows to go and booting on various ISOs which will be put on the SSD.

    I see that there is this new SN500 and the kingston-a1000. Are they the same in terms of speed, heat, and relevancy for my usage ?

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