Make your ASUS ROG Ally or Steam Deck faster and install more games with this new high-speed SSD
Western Digital has announced a new high-performance SSD designed for handheld gaming PCs and ultrabooks.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Interface:NVMe PCIe Gen 4x4Form factor:M.2 2230Capacity:500GB, 1TB, 2TBSequential speeds:Up to 5,150Mb/s read, up to 4,900Mb/s writeRandom speeds:Up to 460K IOPS read, 800K IOPS writePlatforms:Windows 10 and beyondFeatures:Microsoft DirectStorage support, compatibility with handheld gaming PCs (ASUS ROG Ally, Steam Deck), compatibility with certain ultrabooks
Handheld gaming PCs are quickly evolving into a proper market bustling with competition, as they provide more power and flexibility than other handhelds like the popular Nintendo Switch. This includes the ability to swap out the internal storage for faster and larger SSDs, and Western Digital is here to deliver the perfect, high-performance option for that purpose.
The new WD_BLACK SN770M SSD, from Western Digital’s gaming-focused brand, adapts the tiny M.2 2230 form factor that’s relatively uncommon in SSDs. This makes it the perfect size for handheld gaming PCs like theASUS ROG AllyandSteam Deck, which is exactly what the company designed it for. Of course, it’s also compatible with certain ultrabooks, like fromMicrosoft SurfaceorDell.
-Best Steam Deck accessories-Best ASUS ROG Ally accessories-No SSD may be fast enough for Starfield-This 4TB Samsung SSD is insane
WD_BLACK’s latest gaming SSD is no slouch, either. Despite its small stature, the SN770M is still available with up to 2TB of capacity. It’s also an NVMe PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD, meaning you’re getting ludicrously fast speeds of up to 5,150MB/s read and 4,900MB/s write, especially with the 1TB or 2TB models. Those impressive speeds should improve performance and shorten load times in thebest PC games.
Elsewhere, you’re getting full support for Microsoft’sDirectStoragefor even better performance, a 5-year limited warranty for peace of mind, and compatibility with the Western Digital Dashboard software to keep your SSD tuned and ready to go. As always, tinkering with the internals on your handheld gaming PC shouldn’t be done lightly, as it’s all-too easy to damage something. Western Digital has released atutorial for installing the SN770M SSDto help interested users.
The WD_BLACK SN770M SSD for handheld gaming PCs and ultrabooks isnow available to purchase, with prices starting at $74.99 for 512GB, raising to $109.99 for 1TB and $219.99 for 2TB.
For those who need more or faster storage in their handheld gaming PC or compact ultrabook, the WD_BLACK SN770M M.2 2230 SSD looks like an excellent option. It has great speeds and features, and it’s now available in three different sizes.
See at Western Digital:512GB|1TB|2TB
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter@BoddyZachary.
