We all know that Western Digital is the go-to brand for digital storage. Today, we are writing this WD Black P40 Game Drive Review to discuss one of its most impressive external SSDs.
Since the company produces top-notch SSDs, portable drives, and HDDs, you can expect the P40 to be a performer. It is an impressive product that works effectively on Windows PCs and the Xbox Series X|S consoles. The product also packs notable features that make it a popular option for gamers.
But how does it fare under heavy load? Is it as good as claims? Continue reading our WD Black P40 Game Drive Review to learn more about its functions, design, specs, and performance.
WD Black P40 Game Drive Packaging
It ships in a thick cardboard box with an image of the product, name, features, and company branding. The package sports a black theme, giving off a premium vibe.
More details about the P40 are written on the back of the package, which you can refer to when needed. Inside the box, the SSD ships with several items including:
- USB-C to C cable
- USB-C to A cable
- Quick Installation Guide
WD Black P40 Game Drive Review – Design and Functionality
Since the product is a gaming drive, we experienced its high-speed archiving capabilities. During tests for this WD Black P40 Game Drive Review, we effectively used it on our PC and several consoles.
Like their previous D20, the P40 is compatible with the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. It offers quick storage for hot copies of games you plan to swap to the console’s storage. You can also natively play PS4 and Xbox One games from the drive.
The P40 is distinct because it is among the few SSDs offering USB 3.2 Gen2x2 support and RGB lighting. WD Black maintains a utilitarian design aesthetic in its portfolio, evident in the P40. You will find bold ridges, harsh lines, and visible screws that offer an appealing aesthetic to the product.
You will not find any details on WD’s Passport line in this product. You also cannot compare the P40 to other portable SSDs.
Upon closer look, you will see that the P40 is smaller without the ventilation gills underneath. Since there is no ventilation, its metal casing is the only method for heat dissipation.
We love that the P40 is compact enough to slip into any bag or pocket and has a durable feel. It has a shock-absorbent body, so WD claims it can stay safe against 2m-high drops.
Although it does not come with a carrying case, its Type-C port is somewhat protected against bumps and knocks.
While writing this WD Black P40 Game Drive Review, we learned that the SSD is the first with two RGBs. These are the same as the ones used in ROG gaming gear and ASUS routers. These lights can sync with Gigabyte, ASUS, Razer, and MSI gaming hardware.
The RGBs are on by default with the rainbow pattern. However, you can change these to any colour and pattern of choice via Windows computer. Its lighting concentrates on the middle portion, offering an attractive underglow effect.
The presence of RGBs differentiates the P40 from the P50. So, if you care about the bling, this SSD is an ideal option.
The P40 uses an exFAT file system format out of the box. This feature makes it compatible with any platform, including Mac, Windows, or game consoles. We suggest reformatting the SSD if you plan to use it as a backup for Time Machine.
Key Features of the WD Black P40 Game Drive
Check this list of features to give you an idea of what makes the P40 an excellent option. It is among the best SSDs for gamers, especially those who love the bling and top-notch performance.
Spark Up the Game
The Black P40 allows you to customise its RGBs via the WD Black Dashboard (on Windows only). The product lets you show off your style and preferences, making your game time more personal.
Kick Load into Overdrive
Why settle for less when you can enjoy quality performance and top-notch speed? Beat the competition with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface to boost speed up to 2000MB/s.
Dominate Anywhere with the WD Black P40 Game Drive
Battle and conquer on the go with the P40’s compact and sleek form factor, making it easy to bring.
Store More, Play More
We could store and play more when we tested the SSD for our WD Black P40 Game Drive Review. It lets you keep more current and massive titles installed and ready to launch with up to 2TB capacity.
Grab and Go
Thanks to its shock-resistant build, this portable and durable SSD is a tough product. It can handle a 2m drop, which makes the P40 perfect to take anywhere.
Game with Confidence with the WD Black P40 Game Drive
The P40 is backed by a 5-year limited warranty that allows you to focus on the game and nothing else.
Specifications
Before purchasing the SSD, check its specifications list in our WD Black P40 Game Drive Review. Knowing what the product offers is better, guaranteeing it is the best option for your gaming needs.
- Capacity: 1TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2
- Connector: USB-C
- Compatibility
– PlayStation 5
– PlayStation 4 Pro
– PS4 (4.50v or higher)
– Xbox Series X|S
– Xbox One
– Windows 10/8.1
– macOS 10.11+ - Sequential Read/Write Performance: Both are 2000MB/s
- Warranty: Five-Year Limited Warranty
- Dimensions: 106.98mm x 50.82mm x 13mm (L x W x H)
- Weight: 78.5g
Hands-on with the WD Black P40 Game Drive
For this WD Black P40 Game Drive Review, we used the P40 for one week to see how well it performs. We also checked the WD Dashboard to see how user-friendly it is.
After plugging in the SSD, you will see it uses the Dashboard software. The latter is an installer used by all WD Black drives and only works with Windows.
The Dashboard lets you upgrade firmware, check warranty, monitor usage and temperature, and view the remaining lifespan. It also provides an accurate view of the P40’s read/write performance.
When launching the WD Dashboard, you will see all your drives, health interface speed, firmware levels, etc. You will also see if your drive becomes unhealthy, plus you can also access tools for resolving such issues.
The Dashboard makes it easier to customise RGBs to your preferences. You can choose from numerous patterns and colour options, but these settings only work on a compatible Windows PC.
If you link the P40 to other devices, like a console, you will always get the same default rainbow pattern.
We used the 1TB version for our WD Black P40 Game Drive Review. Overall, it was a speedy drive, and we loved how excellently it performed.
During our write tests with a USB connection (20Gbps), the P40 consistently maintained fantastic speeds. We expected its speed to drop, but it maintained its speed for the rest of the test.
Read performance is vital for a game drive, and its performance was outstanding. It is one of the best USB 3.2 Gen2x2 drives we have tried.
We suggest using a USB 3.2 Gen2 port for maximum performance, whether you play current or older games.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S sport Gen2 ports, so you do not need to worry about speed. Although the PS4 and Xbox One are USB 3.0, speed was slightly slower but not an issue.
Aside from gaming, the P40 also worked well when transferring video files. Transfer speeds were fast, and we did not experience file corruption or failures.
Overall, the P40 from WD Black is a speedy, effective, and portable SSD. Despite its lack of ventilation gills, the SSD stayed cool. It got slightly warm during heavy operations but was not an alarming temperature.
WD Black P40 Game Drive Review Summary
The P40 is an excellent gaming SSD in terms of function and design. It is fast, reliable, and has a sturdy build. It has programmable RGB lighting, a bonus that adds to its aesthetics.
Like other WD Black products, the P40 prioritises functionality over aesthetics. It is an excellent approach for any product, especially gaming SSDs, which often stay behind your gaming console. We also love its well-built body, which feels durable and safe when travelling.
This SSD delivered excellent performance during our tests. It maintained high speeds while its temperature stayed cool. We have no complaints or concerns about this product since it delivered everything the company promised.
The P40 is a smaller version of the P50, making it travel-friendly. It also runs cooler and delivers the 2GB/s speeds that WD promises. It also has a UBS 3.2 Gen 2×2, guaranteeing high speeds that are ideal for gaming.
We highly recommend the P40 for anyone who wants a compact SSD to expand their game storage. It offers a durable design, fun RGB aesthetics, and, most importantly, high transfer speeds for video games.
Visit the official WD Black product page to learn more about the P40 Game Drive.
