SPECworkstation 3.0.2 Storage Benchmark
SPECworstation benchmark is an excellent benchmark to test systems using workstation type workloads. In this test, we only ran the Storage component, which is 15 separate tests.
Middle of the road performance is what defines the SPECworkstation performance of the WD Black SN750 500GB.
Temperatures
We monitored the idle and maximum temperature during testing with HWMonitor to get some idea of the thermal performance and requirements of the drive. Please keep in mind that our test bench is an open frame chassis in a 22C room, and is thus not representative of a cramped low-airflow case.
Thermals for this drive were just fine, with nothing to worry about overall.
Black vs Blue
I have not mentioned it much until this point, but comparing the WD Black to its less expensive Blue cousin is a useful exercise. Our review units are mismatched in size, but I still believe the comparison is worthwhile.
Even operating with the smaller capacity handicap, the SN750 still manages to scratch out a victory in most of our benchmark categories. If we were comparing like-for-like capacities, no doubt the Black drive would fare even better; the differentiation between the Black and Blue product lines is clear here.
Final Words
Our review of the WD Black SN750 is a bit late; WD has now released the WD Black SN850 line of PCIe 4.0 SSDs. With that said, as we have mentioned many times in the past, plenty of users are still limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds by their platform, and the SN750 is available at a lower price than the SN850. Our 500GB unit is only $63, while the 500 GB SN850 is currently $150, and similar price disparities exist at the larger capacity points as well. Comparison to other PCIe 3.0 SSDs in price is much more useful, with the Black commanding a $10 premium over the Blue 500GB drive, and coming in $12 cheaper than the SK hynix Gold P31 500GB drive. That puts the WD Black SN750 500GB in a pricing sweet spot, balanced between the value drives and the top tier performing drives that have higher price tags.
Overall, the WD Black SN750 500GB represents a good value. It costs a small premium over less expensive, DRAMless designs or drives built upon QLC, but holds a performance edge over some of those less expensive drives. For users that need good performance within the context of a PCIe 3.0 drive, the WD Black SN750 500GB is an option worth serious consideration.
