Compare WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB and Crucial P310 4TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in May 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB and Crucial P310 4TB sit in the Gen 4 category at 4 TB, so the matchup turns on controller efficiency, cache topology, and current pricing rather than raw class differences.
Hardware-wise, the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB runs on WD's second-generation G2 in-house controller, tuned for sustained gaming I/O. The Crucial P310 4TB pairs Phison's E27T — a four-channel Gen 4 controller for HMB designs.
There's a modest pricing advantage for the Crucial P310 4TB: $74.75/TB compared with $89.75/TB. For typical gaming and productivity, this becomes the deciding factor when specs are close.
The WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB carries a dedicated DRAM chip for FTL (Flash Translation Layer) mapping; the Crucial P310 4TB relies on HMB (Host Memory Buffer), borrowing 64 MB from system RAM. The practical gap shows up only under sustained random write loads.
On warranty endurance the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB carries 2,400 TBW against Crucial P310 4TB's 1,760 TBW. Both will outlast typical use, but the gap matters if you're doing professional content work.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (7,100 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the Crucial P310 4TB. Heavy write workloads — video editing, RAW photo libraries, backup operations — favor the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB's 6,600 MB/s sustained write speed. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
Pick the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB if you value a higher TBW endurance rating (2,400 TBW), and a dedicated DRAM cache chip. The SN850X has been the best-selling Gen 4 NVMe in PCPartPicker builds for two consecutive years — Game Mode 2.0 prioritizes I/O when supported titles need it.
Pick the Crucial P310 4TB if you value the lower retail price ($299 vs $359), and better $/TB economics ($74.75/TB).