TEST: Western Digital WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD 500GB external SSD

Technical data
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Manufacturer	Western Digital
Model number	WDBATL5000ABK-WESN
Storage capacity	500 GB (466 GiB)
pSLC-Cache	6 GB approx.
Read speed	900 MB/s
Write speed	900 MB/s
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbit/s)
Connection	USB Typ C
Size (LxWxH)	96 x 58 x 35 mm
Weight	125 gram
Price	ca. 85 AUD (= 0,17 $ / GB)
Paid link	Buy on Amazon

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Compared to the top performer*

Read speed

45 %

Write speed

42 %

*) Test result evaluated according to AS SSD Score within the same size.

AS SSD Benchmark

Standard performance test

The standard test was performed with a 5 GB file. A total score of 860 points was achieved.

AS SSD	Read:	Write:
Seq in megabytes per second	853,02 MB/s	799,40 MB/s
4K in megabytes per second	21,14 MB/s	67,12 MB/s
4K-64Thrd in megabytes per second	261,24 MB/s	153,81 MB/s
Access time in milliseconds	0,057 ms	0,255 ms
Score	368	301
Total score	860

Copy Performance Test

A common everyday situation is simulated here. Three test folders are created:

• ISO (folder with two large files)
• Program (folder with many small files)
• Game (folder with small and large files)

The three folders are copied using the Windows Copy command (the cache remains enabled). The practical test of December 20, 2023 shows the performance for simultaneous write and read operations. The lower the duration, the better the performance.

AS SSD Copy-Benchmark	Transfer rate:	Duration:
ISO two large files	539,67 MB/s	4,26 s
Program many small files	113,85 MB/s	61,83 s
Game small and large files	201,06 MB/s	34,36 s

Compression Performance Test

Here, the writing and reading speed of the SSD is measured depending on the compressibility of the data (according to the manufacturer, these should be 900MB/s and 900MB/s respectively).

CrystalDiskMark Benchmark

Here, two sequential and two random performance tests are performed, similar to the ones performed on the AS SSD.

CDM	Read [MB/s]	Write [MB/s]
SEQ1M Q8T1	935,30	841,96
SEQ1M Q1T1	568,02	773,82
RND4K Q32T16	466,62	376,99
RND4K Q1T1	34,13	71,60