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The Bottom Line
Pros
- + 2230
- + Best-In-Class performance
- + Single sided
Cons
- - None
Should you buy it?
AvoidConsiderShortlistBuyIntroduction & Drive Details
Devices like ROG Ally and Steam Deck bring PC gaming right into your hands. These handheld devices are extremely popular because they deliver something avid PC gamers have always yearned for - real PC gaming on the go. Now, as any gaming enthusiast knows, internal storage capacity makes all the difference in the world. Ideally, we want as large of an onboard gaming library as is practically possible. External SSDs just don't cut it, as they are slower and make for an overall less portable gaming experience.
With this in mind, it's easy to understand why there has been a flood of single-sided 2230 SSDs coming into circulation. These tiniest of SSDs are the ultimate upgrade for your Steam Deck or similar handheld gaming device. With capacities of up to 2TB, it's an easy upgrade that significantly increases overall user experience.
Today's test subject will be the third such SSD we've reviewed to date. First, we reviewed Sabrent's 1TB Rocket 2230, and just recently TeamGroup's 2TB MP44S. We reference both of these SSDs as links to their respective reviews, as we don't keep 2230 SSDs on our running chart because they are a niche product. Hit the links if you want to compare them by the numbers.
The WD Black SN770M 2TB we have on the bench today is by far the fastest SSD of the three tiny drives we've tested to date. Our test subject doesn't land at the bottom of our performance hierarchy as is the case for those we've previously tested; in fact, this tiny drive dishes out more real-world performance than many 7,000 MB/s capable SSDs can deliver.
As shocking as this sounds, it really comes to us as no surprise, as we've previously tested the original WD Black SN770 2TB 2280 version and the SN770M features identical hardware just with a reduced footprint. Its physically larger predecessor did the very same thing, as it too easily outperformed a whole host of contemporary 7,000 MB/s capable SSDs.
We consider 2TB the current sweet spot capacity point for gaming duties, so if you want the best of the best for your Steam Deck or ROG Ally, the WD Black SN770M 2TB is indeed the ultimate upgrade.
Drive Details
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 01 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 01](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_01_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
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Jon's Test System Specifications
Intel Test System
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE AORUS Z790 Xtreme X
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K - Buy from Amazon
- Cooler: Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 - Buy from Amazon
- RAM: Patriot Viper Xtreme 5 8000 48GB - Buy from Amazon
- Graphics Card: MSI SUPRIM X RTX 3080 12GB - Buy from Amazon
- Case: PrimoChill's Praxis Wetbench - Buy from Amazon
- Power Supply: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W - Buy from Amazon
- OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-bit - Buy from Amazon
AMD Test System
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X - Buy from Amazon
- Cooler: Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 - Buy from Amazon
- RAM: Sabrent Rocket DDR5 32GB - Buy from Amazon
- Graphics Card: MSI SUPRIM X RTX 3080 12GB - Buy from Amazon
- Case: PrimoChill's Praxis Wetbench - Buy from Amazon
- Power Supply: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W - Buy from Amazon
- OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-bit - Buy from Amazon
Because we at TweakTown like to be first at everything whenever we can, we will present our storage performance results for the test subject on both 14th Gen Intel and 7000 Series AMD platforms going forward for the foreseeable future. Because Intel still delivers the best real-world storage performance, (Look Here), our running chart will continue to be Intel-based until AMD can deliver better real-world storage performance than its rival.
![Buy at Amazon Buy at Amazon](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ayTBs7zXL._SL160_.jpg)
Synthetic Benchmarks: CDM, Anvil, ATTO
CrystalDiskMark
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 07 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 07](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_07_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 08 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 08](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_08_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 09 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 09](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_09_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 10 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 10](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_10_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 11 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 11](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_11_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
We employ CDM as our standard measurement for both sequential throughput and Q1T1 random read. In terms of sequential throughput, we find our test subject fully capable of meeting and exceeding quoted up to specifications. Q1T1 random read speed is the lowest on our chart, but still exactly equal with the older 2280 model, which indicates that as it was then, so is it now, that in this rare case this synthetic number is not a good indicator of real-world performance.
Anvil's Storage Utilities
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 12 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 12](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_12_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 13 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 13](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_13_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 14 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 14](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_14_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
A reading score of just over 9,000 is again what its older full-sized sibling scores exactly. So, we are getting the same performance from our 2230 tiny version, which is quite different from what we've seen from the Phison tiny drives, where the 2230 models are significantly lower performing than their 2280 equivalents.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 15 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 15](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_15_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 16 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 16](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_16_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 17 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 17](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_17_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
We employ Anvil's random read test as our standard for measuring max random read IOPS. This test is very accurate as it at its core is Iometer skinned over. We test at QD128. 620K IOPS is lower than its factory spec of 650K, but the result is still 30% higher than we saw from the MP44S 2TB 2230 SSD.
ATTO
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 18 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 18](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_18_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 19 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 19](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_19_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 20 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 20](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_20_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 21 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 21](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_21_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
ATTO gives us a clear picture of what transfer sizes a particular SSD favors in terms of QD4 sequential throughput. We chart 128K transfers. At a queue depth of four, the SN770M 2TB favors sequential transfers of 512K or larger when serving data to the host (reading) and 64K or larger when programming (writing) data.
Real-World Testing: Transfers, 3DMark SSD Gaming Test, PCM10 Storage
Transfer Rates
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 22 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 22](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_22_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 23 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 23](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_23_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 24 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 24](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_24_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
Our 100GB data transfer test is not your ordinary 100GB of data. Ours is a crushing mix composed of more than 62K files. Write performance, random or sequential, is an infrequent operation, and as such, we do not consider it to be an important performance metric in the consumer space. An example being how many times is a game installed vs. how many times it's played. By far the highest transfer rate for any 2230 SSD we've tested to date. Impressive.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 25 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 25](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_25_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 26 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 26](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_26_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 27 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 27](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_27_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
Unlike programming (writing) data, serving data to the host (reading) is always an important performance metric as it relates to the consumer space. Best-in-class read transfer performance. Excellent.
3DMark SSD Gaming Test
UL's newest 3DMark SSD Gaming Test is the most comprehensive SSD gaming test ever devised. We consider it superior to testing against games themselves because, as a trace, it is much more consistent than variations that will occur between runs on the actual game itself. This test is the same as running the actual game, just without the inconsistencies inherent to application testing. In short, we believe that this is the world's best way to test an SSD's gaming prowess and accurately compare it against competing SSDs. The 3DMark SSD Gaming Test measures and scores the following:
- Loading Battlefield V from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Call of Duty Black Ops 4 from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Overwatch from launch to the main menu.
- Recording a 1080p gameplay video at 60 FPS with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) while playing Overwatch.
- Installing The Outer Worlds from the Epic Games Launcher.
- Saving game progress in The Outer Worlds.
- Copying the Steam folder for Counter-Strike Global Offensive from an external SSD to the system drive.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 28 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 28](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_28_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 29 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 29](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_29_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 30 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 30](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_30_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
Gaming is a performance metric that matters to most DIY consumers, especially for the enthusiast crowd that TweakTown caters to. Now we've reached the point where results start to matter as they are a direct reflection of user experience. A score of 3,791 here is again best-in-class.
PCM10 Storage Tests
PCMark 10 Storage Test is the most advanced and most accurate real-world consumer storage test ever made. There are four different tests you can choose from; we run two of them. The Full System Drive Benchmark and the Quick System Drive Benchmark. The Full System Drive Benchmark writes 204 GB of data over the duration of the test. These tests directly correlate with mainstream user experience.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark
This test writes 204GB data and covers a broad range of common consumer tasks, including booting Windows 10, file transfers, Adobe and Office applications, and startup times for games including Battlefield V, COD Black Ops 4, and Overwatch. Unlike synthetic numbers, this is comprehensive real-world data, which is why we use it to rank SSDs in terms of user experience.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 31 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 31](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_31_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 32 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 32](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_32_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
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A score of 3,500 is at minimum 14% better than any competing 2230 SSD has to offer. Outstanding.
PCMark 10 Quick System Drive Benchmark
The Quick System Drive Benchmark writes 23 GB of data over the duration of the test.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 34 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 34](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_34_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 35 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 35](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_35_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 36 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 36](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_36_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
This is performance that matters as it is highly reflective of normal consumer data patterns. Here, we see the SN770M really come into its own. Not only does it easily outperform any 7,000 MB/s capable E18-controlled SSD ever made, but it is also, at minimum, 12% faster than anything else in its class.
Final Thoughts
Being the only 2230 SSD in our test pool, we might expect to see our tiny contender land at the bottom of our chart, where we've become accustomed to its direct competition landing. Not this drive, though. It's an absolute beast for what it is, even more powerful than any E18-controlled SSD ever made.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 37 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 37](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_37_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.png)
We rank SSDs in terms of overall user experience (performance where it matters most) as expressed by PCMark 10 storage and 3DMark gaming storage tests. Currently, we consider a user experience score of 15K or more to verify an SSD as a TweakTown Elite performer. Although not reflected on this chart, the SN770M is at least 13% more performant than any other 2230 SSD we've ever tested.
![WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 38 WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD Review - Fastest of the Tiny Drives 38](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10686_38_wd-black-sn770m-2tb-ssd-review-fastest-of-the-tiny-drives.jpg)
It's the best of its kind by far. Editor's Choice.