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Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive vs Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe

The SN730 is the faster drive by a wide margin: 3,400/3,100 MB/s versus 2,400/950 MB/s, and 550K/550K random IOPS versus 170K/120K. Both are 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 x4 drives rated at 200 TBW, so the SN730 wins on speed at the same endurance. No prices were given for either drive, so compare live store prices before deciding.

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Western Digital
Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive

Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive

Choose the SN530 if you want a low-power OEM-style drive for a basic office PC or a secondary slot and the SN730 costs noticeably more.

Pros
  • Runs cool and draws little power, suited to thin clients and secondary slots
200 TBW endurance matches the SN730 at this capacity
  • Standard M.2 2280 fit for most desktops and laptops
  • Cheaper OEM drive in many listings
    • Cons
    • Write speed of 950 MB/s is roughly a third of the SN730's
    • Random IOPS are about a third of the SN730's
    • 256GB fills fast with games and video
    • TLC without the SN730's tiered caching
    Western Digital
    Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe

    Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe

    Choose the SN730 if you want the fastest 256GB Gen3 drive of the two for a laptop or desktop boot drive, especially for large file transfers and game loads.

    Pros
    • 3,100 MB/s writes make large copies and installs much quicker
    • 550K random IOPS keeps apps and games responsive
    • 3.5 mW sleep mode helps laptop battery life
    • In-house controller and 96-layer NAND from Western Digital
    Cons
    • Still only 256GB, so plan on a second drive or an upgrade
    • Gen3 drive, so it will not saturate a Gen4 slot
    • Runs warmer under sustained writes than the SN530

    What separates them

    Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    Sequential read2,400 MB/s3,400 MB/s
    Sequential write950 MB/s3,100 MB/s
    Random read (4KB)170,000 IOPS550,000 IOPS
    Random write (4KB)120,000 IOPS550,000 IOPS
    Endurance rating200 TBW200 TBW
    Interface and form factorPCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe 1.3, M.2 2280
    NAND and controllerTLC NAND96-layer 3D NAND with in-house controller and tiered caching
    PowerNot specified3.5 mW extreme sleep mode

    Price history

    • Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive: lowest $315.90 on Oct 29.
    • Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe: lowest $30.00 on Oct 29.

    Specs compared

    SpecWestern Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    InterfacePCIe Gen3*4 NVMePCIe Gen3 x4, NVMe v1.3
    Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
    Weight0.26 ounce7.3gms
    TypeInternalInternal
    NVMeYesYes
    Capacity256 GB256 GB
    Formatted Capacity256GB—
    Max Sequential Read2,400 MB/s—
    Max Sequential Write950 MB/s—
    Endurance Type200 TB—
    Max 4KB Random Read170000 IOPS—
    Maximum 4KB Random Write120000 IOPS—
    Show all 23 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecWestern Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    Height0.1 inch—
    ConnectionM.2—
    Storage capacity—256GB
    Sequential read—3400MB/s
    Sequential write—3100MB/s
    Random read—550K IOPS
    Random write—550K IOPS
    Endurance—200 TBW
    Dimensions—80mm x 22mm x 2.38mm

    What reviewers say

    Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive

    Buyer feedback on this drive is thin. Most comments concern the seller's delivery and service rather than the SSD's speed or reliability, so treat performance claims with caution.

    Pros
    • Arrived quickly and well packaged
    • Refurbished units looked near-new
    • Worked as an accurate replacement for older parts
    Cons
    • Shipped without manufacturer packaging
    • One unit arrived dead on arrival, though it was replaced
    • Orders sometimes shipped from different locations

    Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe

    Owner feedback on the SN730 line is generally positive on speed and reliability in laptop use. The common complaints are the small 256GB capacity and slowdowns on very large transfers.

    Pros
    • Fast boot and app loading compared with SATA drives
    • Runs cool and draws little power in laptops
    • Reliable in daily use for several years
    Cons
    • 256GB is tight once Windows and a few games are installed
    • Write speed drops on long sustained copies
    • OEM drives can be hard to claim warranty on

    Questions and answers

    Which is faster, the SN530 or the SN730?
    The SN730. It reads at 3,400 MB/s and writes at 3,100 MB/s, against 2,400 MB/s read and 950 MB/s write on the SN530. Random performance is also about three times higher on the SN730.
    Do they last the same?
    Both are rated at 200 TBW, so endurance is equal on paper. The SN730's higher speed does not come with a lower write rating at 256GB.
    Which should I put in a laptop?
    The SN730. Its 3.5 mW sleep mode and much higher speed make it the better boot drive, and both are the same M.2 2280 size.
    Is the SN730 worth extra money?
    Yes if the gap is small. The SN730 writes more than three times faster, which shows in game installs, large file copies and app launches. Skip it only if the SN530 is much cheaper and the drive is for light office use.
    Will either work in a PCIe Gen4 slot?
    Yes, both are backward and forward compatible and will run at Gen3 speeds. Neither will use the extra Gen4 bandwidth.
    Is 256GB enough?
    For an OS and office apps, yes. For a games library or video work, no. Both drives come in larger capacities, so check those prices too.

    More comparisons

    • Western Digital IX SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive vs Western Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State Drive
    • Western Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State Drive vs Western Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    Operating temperature
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    0°C to 70°C
    Non-operating temperature—-55°C to 85°C