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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

Buy the SN730 for any standard M.2 2280 slot: it is roughly 3.5x faster on writes (3,100 vs 950 MB/s) and about 1.5x faster on reads, with a rated 200 TBW endurance. Buy the SN530 only if you need the tiny M.2 2230 size for a Steam Deck, Surface, or other compact laptop. No prices were provided for either drive, so compare live store prices on this page before deciding.

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Western Digital
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

Choose the SN530 if you need a 2230-size drive for a compact laptop, handheld, or tablet where a full-length 2280 stick will not fit.

Pros
  • Fits M.2 2230 slots in compact laptops, handhelds, and tablets
  • NVMe 1.4 support
  • Low 75 mW active power draw
  • Works in a full-size 2280 slot with an adapter
    • Cons
    • Slow writes at about 950 MB/s
    • No endurance (TBW) figure published
    • 256GB fills fast with modern games
    • Small 2230 drives cost more per GB than 2280 drives
    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 your slot takes a standard 2280 drive and you want much faster writes and a higher endurance rating for the same 256GB capacity.

    Pros
    • 3,400 MB/s reads and 3,100 MB/s writes
    • 550K IOPS random read and write
    • 200 TBW endurance rating
    • 3.5 mW sleep mode suits laptops
    Cons
    • Only fits 2280 slots
    • Older NVMe 1.3 interface
    • 256GB is small for game libraries

    What separates them

    Western Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    Form factorM.2 2230 (30mm long)M.2 2280 (80mm long)
    Sequential readUp to 2,400 MB/sUp to 3,400 MB/s
    Sequential writeUp to 950 MB/sUp to 3,100 MB/s
    Random performanceAbout 42 MB/s 4K QD1550K IOPS read and write
    Endurance ratingNot published in the listing200 TBW
    NVMe versionNVMe 1.4NVMe 1.3
    Idle power75 mW active draw listed3.5 mW extreme sleep mode
    Slot compatibilityFits 2230 slots; works in 2280 slots with an adapterFits 2280 slots only

    Price history

    • Western Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State Drive: lowest $108.15 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 SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    InterfacePCIe Gen3x4 NVMe 1.4PCIe Gen3 x4, NVMe v1.3
    Form factorM.2 2230M.2 2280
    Capacity256GB256 GB
    Sequential read2,291 MBytes/Sec3400MB/s
    Sequential write857 MBytes/Sec3100MB/s
    TypeSSDInternal
    NAND flash typeTLC—
    Random seek read write388 MBytes/Sec—
    IOPS 4KQD142 MBytes/Sec—
    Drive size238.5 GB—
    UseInternal—
    Device CompatibilityPC, Laptop—
    Show all 31 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecWestern Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State DriveWestern Digital PC SN730 256 GB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe
    Wireless ConnectivityNo—
    Read Speed2400 MB/s—
    Write Speed950 MBps—
    NVMe SupportYes—
    PCIe SupportYes—
    Cache256 MB—
    Design HighlightsPortable—
    Typical UsersGaming professional, Creative professional—
    Power Source3.3 V (operating supply voltage)—

    What reviewers say

    Western Digital SN530 256GB Triple-Level Cell PCI Express NVMe 3.1 x4 M.2 2230 Solid State Drive

    Owner feedback on this drive centers on stable, error-free performance after heavy use and easy installation. Complaints are mostly about packaging and shipping rather than the drive itself, including units arriving without retail packaging and one dead-on-arrival example that was replaced.

    Pros
    • Fast, stable performance with no errors after stress testing
    • Easy setup and flawless operation after install
    • Refurbished units arrived in near-new condition with low run time
    • Quick replacement when a unit arrived faulty
    Cons
    • Some units shipped without manufacturer packaging
    • Occasional dead-on-arrival drive, though replaced
    • Orders shipped from different locations than expected

    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 up to 3,400 MB/s and writes up to 3,100 MB/s, versus 2,400 MB/s read and about 950 MB/s write on the SN530. The gap is largest on writes.
    Will the SN530 fit in a laptop that takes an SN730?
    Yes, with an adapter. A 2230 drive fits a 2280 slot using a small extension bracket, but a 2280 drive will not fit a 2230 slot. Check your slot length before buying.
    Which lasts longer?
    The SN730, on paper. It is rated at 200 TBW; the SN530 listing gives no endurance figure. Both use TLC NAND and wear-leveling, so real lifespan depends on how much you write.
    Is the SN730 worth extra money over the SN530?
    For a standard 2280 slot, yes. You get roughly triple the write speed and a published endurance rating at the same 256GB capacity. Only pay the 2230 premium if your device needs the small size.
    Can I use either drive in a PS5 or Steam Deck?
    The SN530 in 2230 form fits a Steam Deck. Neither drive meets the PS5 requirement of a 2280 PCIe 4.0 drive with a heatsink.
    Do both drives work with Windows and Linux?
    Yes. Both are standard NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 drives, so Windows, Linux, and macOS (with an adapter) see them as normal storage.

    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 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
    Power Consumption
    75 mW (active)
    —
    Storage capacity—256GB
    Random read—550K IOPS
    Random write—550K IOPS
    Endurance—200 TBW
    Dimensions—80mm x 22mm x 2.38mm
    Weight—7.3gms
    Operating temperature—0°C to 70°C
    Non-operating temperature—-55°C to 85°C
    NVMe—Yes