I'm putting together a home PC for everyday tasks (not gaming), and I'm in the market for a 1TB SSD that has a DRAM cache since it will be my main and only storage. I've found the WD Red SA500 priced around $100, which seems reasonable. However, it's labeled as a NAS drive – does that matter for general home use? Also, I want to know if there are any benefits to choosing a SATA SSD over an M.2 SSD since both are similarly priced. I have enough space on the motherboard and plan to use a CPU with integrated graphics.
2 Answers
The WD Red SA500 seems to offer standard speed and endurance, and I'm not sure why it’s labeled specifically as a NAS drive. It does feel a bit pricey for a 1TB SATA SSD, though. Just a heads-up, M.2 is more about the form factor, so both types can work on the SATA interface, but remember, M.2 isn't NVMe unless it's indicated as such.
If you're looking for alternatives, consider checking out the Kioxia Exceria G2 or the SK Hynix Platinum P41. They might offer better performance for a similar price point. Other good options include the Crucial T500 and Kingston KC3000 or Fury Beast if they're within your budget.

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