Western Digital has unveiled three new WD_BLACK dedicated gaming storage devices, including two options for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD is an external storage device compatible with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Offering 500GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage and read speeds of up to 900MB/s. The WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD is also compatible with the PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Windows and Mac. Available now at Western Digital and Amazon UK with prices starting at £129.99.
The WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive for Xbox offers the same specs and speeds as the standard D30 Game Drive, albeit locked to the Xbox console architecture and sporting the console’s logo. Purchase of the drive includes a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Buyers will want to take advantage of this offer and the extra storage afforded by the D30 to play some of the best Xbox games available on Game Pass.
The WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive for Xbox is available from Western Digital and Amazon UK, with prices starting at £135.99.
The new D30 Game Drive options from WD_BLACK do offer next-gen gamers access to quick, affordable and specialised storage. However, those hoping that the SSDs will work as an alternate to the Seagate Xbox Storage and the yet-to-be-released PS5 memory expansion will want to temper their expectations.
The D30 Game Drive and D30 Game Drive for Xbox can only archive PS5 and Xbox Series X|S games. To play archived games, the files will need transferring to console memory. However, PS4 and Xbox One games can be stored and played from the devices.
Considering the formidable PS4 back catalogue and huge library on Game Pass, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It will allow users to keep their PS5 and Xbox Series X|S loaded with new releases, and the D30 ready to go with older, but no less excellent, games.
For PC gamers, Western Digital announced the WD_BLACK SN750 SE NVMe SSD. Using PCIe Gen4 technology, the SN750 can be installed on a gaming PC or gaming laptop to deliver speeds of up to 3,600MB/s while consuming 30% less power than its predecessor. Buyers will have the choice between 250GB, 500GB and 1TB capacities.
The SN750 will be arriving in summer 2021 at selected retailers and is now available for pre-order from Western Digital directly. The prices start at £56.99.
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William Lobley is a Senior Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online
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