Crucial P3 Plus vs WD SN770: Best Gen 4 SSD in 2025?

When upgrading your PC’s storage, choosing the right NVMe SSD can significantly impact performance—whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or just seeking faster boot times. Two popular options in 2024 are the Crucial P3 Plus 1TB (budget-friendly) and the WD Black SN850X 2TB (high-performance).

This in-depth comparison breaks down their specs, real-world performance, and ideal use cases to help you decide which SSD fits your needs.

Key Specifications Compared

What Do These Numbers Mean?

• QLC vs. TLC NAND:
  • The P3 Plus uses QLC NAND, which is cheaper but slower in sustained writes.
  • The SN850X uses TLC NAND, offering better longevity and performance under heavy workloads.
• DRAM Cache:
  • The SN850X has a DRAM cache, improving speed consistency.
  • The P3 Plus relies on Host Memory Buffer (HMB), which is decent but not as efficient.
• Endurance (TBW):
  • The SN850X (1200 TBW) is more durable than the P3 Plus (220 TBW).

Performance Benchmarks: Real-World Speed Tests

1. Gaming Load Times

• WD SN850X:
  • ~2-3 seconds faster in loading AAA games (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty).
  • Better texture streaming in open-world games.
• Crucial P3 Plus:
  • Still much faster than SATA SSDs but lags behind the SN850X.

2. File Transfers & Productivity

• WD SN850X:
  • Copies 50GB of 4K video files in ~12 seconds.
  • No slowdowns even with large file transfers.
• Crucial P3 Plus:
  • Takes ~18 seconds for the same transfer.
  • May throttle under prolonged writes due to QLC NAND.

3. Boot Times & Daily Use

• Both SSDs boot Windows 11 in under 10 seconds.
• For general tasks (browsing, office work), the difference is negligible.

Thermals & Durability

Heat Management

• Crucial P3 Plus:
  • Runs cooler in light use but can throttle under heavy workloads.
  • No heatsink option.
• WD SN850X:
  • Better thermal control, especially with the heatsink variant.
  • No throttling even during extended gaming/editing sessions.

Longevity

• The SN850X (1200 TBW) will last much longer than the P3 Plus (220 TBW).
• For heavy users, the WD drive is the safer long-term investment.

Who Should Buy Which SSD?

Buy the Crucial P3 Plus If:

✔ You’re on a tight budget (under ₹7,000).
✔ You need a fast boot drive for general use.
✔ You play casual games (not competitive/esports).
✔ You don’t frequently move large files (50GB+).

Check Crucial P3 Plus specifications on the official site

Buy the WD Black SN850X If:

✔ You want top-tier Gen 4 speeds (7300 MB/s).
✔ You’re a gamer (especially competitive/esports).
✔ You edit 4K videos or large RAW files.
✔ You need better durability (1200 TBW vs. 220 TBW).

Learn more about WD Black SN770 from Western Digital

Final Verdict: Which One Wins?

Bottom Line:

• For most users, the Crucial P3 Plus is a great budget Gen 4 SSD.
• For gamers, editors, and power users, the WD Black SN850X is worth the extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the WD SN850X worth double the price?
A: Yes, if you need max performance. For casual users, the P3 Plus is sufficient.

Q: Does the P3 Plus have a DRAM cache?
A: No, it uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer), which is slower than dedicated DRAM.

Q: Which SSD is better for a PS5?
A: The SN850X (with heatsink) is PS5-compatible and recommended for gaming.

Q: How much faster is the SN850X in real-world use?
A: ~30-40% faster in gaming loads and file transfers.

Which SSD are you choosing? Let us know in the comments!

(Already using one of these? Share your experience!)

If you’re building a complete gaming setup, don’t miss our guide on the best gaming laptops and desktops in 2025 — featuring top-rated options across all budgets.