Tech Essentials
The world of handheld gaming and ultra-portable computing is exploding, but these tiny devices often come with a frustrating compromise: limited storage. Western Digital’s SN770M aims to solve this problem by packing serious NVMe speed into a gumstick-sized drive. This tiny SSD could be the single most important upgrade for your portable powerhouse.
The WD Black SN770M is a masterclass in specialized engineering. Its most defining characteristic is its M.2 2230 form factor, a diminutive size designed specifically for the cramped internals of devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and certain Microsoft Surface models. The single-sided design, with all NAND chips and the controller on one side of the PCB, is a critical detail ensuring maximum compatibility and preventing any clearance issues during installation. This isn’t just a shrunken-down SSD; it’s a purpose-built solution for a rapidly growing market.
When it comes to performance, the SN770M punches well above its weight class. As a PCIe 4.0 drive, it delivers sequential read speeds up to 5,150 MB/s and write speeds up to 4,900 MB/s on its 1TB and 2TB variants. In practical terms, this translates to a dramatic reduction in game load times and a much snappier feel across the entire operating system compared to the stock drives found in many handhelds. It is a DRAM-less design, relying on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to keep costs down and the physical footprint small. While this can theoretically hinder performance in extremely demanding, sustained workloads, it’s a non-issue for its intended use case of gaming and general computing, where its SLC cache (dubbed nCache 4.0) keeps performance feeling consistently fast.
The value proposition is where the conversation gets nuanced. On a pure cost-per-gigabyte basis, the SN770M is undoubtedly more expensive than its larger M.2 2280 counterparts. However, that comparison is largely irrelevant. Within the niche M.2 2230 market, its pricing is competitive, especially when considering it comes from a tier-one manufacturer with a robust 5-year warranty and a well-regarded software suite in the WD Dashboard. The availability of a 2TB model is a massive boon for users who want to build a comprehensive game library on their handheld device without constantly juggling installs.
Ultimately, the WD Black SN770M is not trying to be the fastest SSD on the planet; it’s designed to be the best upgrade for a specific class of device. It succeeds brilliantly. For owners of a compatible handheld console or ultra-thin laptop, this drive represents a transformative upgrade, unlocking the full potential of your portable hardware. It offers a superb blend of speed, reliability, and high-capacity options that finally eliminates the storage bottleneck on the go.
Where to Buy:
WD Black SN770M NVMe SSD Quick Summary
Key Scores:
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Value:
88% -
Design:
85% -
Performance:
87% -
Quality:
90% -
Popularity:
92%
Top Pros
- ✅ Delivers excellent performance for the compact M.2 2230 form factor.
- ✅ Single-sided design ensures compatibility with most handhelds and ultrabooks.
- ✅ High capacity options are available up to a generous two terabytes.
- …
Key Cons
- ❌ Price per gigabyte is noticeably higher than standard M.2 2280 drives.
- ❌ DRAM-less architecture can limit performance in very intensive sustained tasks.
- ❌ Can produce significant heat under load in tightly enclosed spaces.
