WD Black 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD (WDS256G1X0C)

WD Black 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD (WDS256G1X0C)

Western Digital’s first-generation WD Black PCIe NVMe drive in 256GB, a compact boot drive for PCIe 3.0 desktops and laptops.

The WDS256G1X0C is the original WD Black PCIe SSD, launched to bring NVMe speeds to WD’s performance range. It is a 256GB NVMe module that reads at up to 2,050MB/s and writes at up to 700MB/s, several times faster than a SATA SSD on reads and a large step up from any hard drive. At this capacity it is best used as a dedicated operating-system and applications drive, with a larger drive alongside for games and files.

What NVMe brings

NVMe drives talk to the CPU over PCIe lanes rather than through the SATA controller, which removes the 6Gb/s SATA ceiling and cuts latency. Windows boots quicker, applications open faster and large file reads are limited by the drive rather than the interface. On a PCIe 3.0 motherboard this drive uses the full bandwidth it was designed for.

Where it fits

This is a good match for an older desktop or laptop that has an M.2 slot wired for PCIe but is still running from a SATA SSD or hard drive, or for a compact office build where 256GB covers the operating system and everyday software. Punch Technology can fit it as the boot drive in a new build or advise whether a larger, newer drive is a better use of the slot.

Capacity planning

Allow roughly 40 to 60GB for Windows and updates; the remaining space suits office applications, browsers and a small number of frequently used programs. Keep media libraries and large games on a secondary drive.

Ideal for

• Boot drives in PCIe 3.0 desktops and laptops
• Compact office PCs
• Replacing a SATA SSD or hard drive as the system drive

Specifications

• Model: WDS256G1X0C
• Capacity: 256GB
• Type: NVMe SSD
• Interface: PCIe NVMe
• Sequential read: up to 2,050MB/s
• Sequential write: up to 700MB/s