Need a storage upgrade for your Steam Deck, ROG Ally or other handheld? Western Digital are the latest to enter the game with their new WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD.
Available in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB it seems like a great upgrade to get more space. While their actual press release didn't mention the Steam Deck, and focused more on the ROG Ally, their actual store page clearly mentions the compatibility with the Steam Deck.
From the press release: "With game sizes continually becoming larger, it's easy for handheld game consoles to fill up over time with new games and regular updates," said Eric Spanneut, vice president of client SSDs for Western Digital. "The new WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD boosts available storage up to 2TB and is specifically designed to handle the peak performance of demanding games for handheld gaming PCs."
The drives come with a 5 year limited warranty with the 512GB model available directly through WD and other retailers, the 1TB is only available direct from WD and for now the 2TB model is exclusive to Best Buy. The specs also vary across the models with differing read and write performance.
Not just for handheld gaming though, there's a number of other devices out there with a M.2 2230 slot which is becoming steadily more popular for the size of it which really does give us some tiny cards to slot in.
A few other companies have also been stocking a few different M.2 2230 models that I've covered in the past including SCAN UK with multiple(1) models(2), and Framework.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
ElectricPrism Sep 13, 2023
IIRC TLC (3 tri) was the good one over QLC (4 quad). I can't remember if 3D was the good one or the bad one, but 2230 considered, it's not like there are many options.
Edit:
I own WD, Sabrent, and Corsair NVMEs in all my Linux rigs and so far I prefer the sabrents -- they were ahead when Gen4 came out, their prices were competitive vs others and their enclosures were made in the usa, I'ved owned many NVME enclosures and build quality varies widely -- but having a sturdy all aluminum case is a big sell.
Anyways here's Sabrents 2230 2TB: https://sabrent.com/products/sb-213q-2tb
I am not sure if there are wattage considerations brand to brand but I did buy their 3x 1TBs for various Steam Decks as gifts.
I would try this WD product, but IIRC my last 3D WD was kindof meh but maybe that's because it was a gen out of date, not totally sure, and I think always wise to compare review scores and try to filter out bot reviews at reviewmeta to get a better idea of what's actually good and what's shilled harder.
Either way, I'm not complaining to have new options -- I think 2230 for SteamDeck, hobby and eventually phone will be a big deal so the faster it gains ground the better.
Edit 2:
While their actual press release didn't mention the Steam Deck, and focused more on the ROG Ally
Oh wow. Yeah not a good look.
the 1TB is only available direct from WD and for now the 2TB model is exclusive to Best Buy.
Gross. My mojo can only take so much disappointment. Yeah the 2TB is the only model i'd be interested in, and that's a HUGE deal-breaker.
Really makes me reconsider owning (Western Digital) HGST 7200rpm drives -- I don't like it when my companies have sleezy business habits.
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 13 September 2023 at 6:18 am UTC
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