WD_BLACK SN850X for PS5: compatibility, heatsink fit and live price
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Compatible. Rated at up to 7,300 MB/s (7,200 MB/s at 8TB) and offered with a heatsink at every capacity. On 21 October 2026 the cheapest compatible listing was £178.99, for the WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB. The best value per TB is the WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with Heatsink, at £148.75/TB (£1,190.00).
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
WD_BLACK SN850X specifications for PS5 owners
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Yes |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280 |
| Sequential read (up to) | 7,300 MB/s |
| Sequential write (up to) | 6,600 MB/s |
| Sony's recommended read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster |
| NAND type | TLC |
| DRAM cache | Yes |
| Controller | WD in-house |
| Endurance | About 600 TBW per TB (1,200 TBW at 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Capacities | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB |
| Heatsink version | Yes |
| Officially PlayStation-licensed | No |
| Launched | 2022 |
Figures are the maker's published "up to" ratings, checked October 2026 against the maker's sheet 1 and the maker's sheet 2.
The WD_BLACK SN850X in a PS5: what to know
WD's mainstream Gen4 performer. Every capacity from 1TB to 8TB is sold with or without a heatsink. Published heights for the heatsink version are around 10mm, inside the 11.25mm ceiling. Endurance is 600 TBW per terabyte (4,800 TBW at 8TB).
Heatsink and fit
Sony's limit is 11.25mm total thickness and 25mm width (see Sony's M.2 SSD requirements). The WD_BLACK SN850X's heatsink version is inside that envelope, so it fits all three consoles.
Rows tagged "Fits PS5" below are the heatsink SKU. Rows without the tag are the bare drive, which needs a low-profile heatsink of your own; the 11.25mm height guide explains what qualifies.
Rivals at 2TB: live prices
| Drive | Read speed | Price | Price per TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seagate Game Drive PS5 NVMe | 7,400 MB/s | £366.44 | £183.22/TB |
| SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850P | 7,300 MB/s | £545.99 | £273.00/TB |
| Kioxia Exceria Pro | 14,900 MB/s | £554.29 | £277.15/TB |
The tracked models nearest the WD_BLACK SN850X in class and rated speed, each at its cheapest compatible new 2TB listing on Amazon.co.uk, as of 21 October 2026.
Compare the WD_BLACK SN850X
Its capacities each have a full ranking: 1TB PS5 SSDs, 2TB PS5 SSDs, 4TB PS5 SSDs. The WD PS5 SSD page covers the rest of the maker's range. Head to head: 990 Pro vs WD_BLACK SN850X and WD_BLACK SN850X vs WD_BLACK SN850P. For any other drive, start at the PS5 SSD model index.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
Useful next steps: All models, 2TB, With heatsink, Cheapest PS5 SSD, PS5 SSD requirements, The 11.25mm height rule.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WD_BLACK SN850X compatible with the PS5?
Compatible. Rated at up to 7,300 MB/s (7,200 MB/s at 8TB) and offered with a heatsink at every capacity. The same answer applies to the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro, which use the same M.2 slot.
Do I have to add a heatsink to the WD_BLACK SN850X?
Yes, and the simplest route is the heatsink version, which is sized for the bay. The bare version needs a low-profile heatsink added.
Where is the cheapest WD_BLACK SN850X for PS5 today?
On 21 October 2026 the cheapest compatible listing was £178.99, for the WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB. The best value per TB is the WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with Heatsink, at £148.75/TB (£1,190.00).
Which sizes is the WD_BLACK SN850X sold in?
Sizes offered: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB. Working from 75GB per big game, that is about 13 games on 1TB and 26 on 2TB.
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Last updated: 2026-10-21 06:04:07 UTC. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated on Amazon.co.uk and are subject to change. Any price displayed at the time of purchase will apply. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.