Is the WD Blue SA510 SSD Worth the Risk?
Asked by
TechyTurtle24
I came across a great deal for a WD Blue SA510 SATA 2.5" SSD with 2TB capacity for $130, and I'm considering using it as a backup drive in an external enclosure. However, after placing my order, a friend warned me about potential issues with this model. I did some research and saw mixed reviews: some people reported firmware problems, while others claimed that after updating, the drives worked fine. I'm curious about whether anyone with SSD experience can provide advice on how I should handle this drive. Should I just update the firmware and hope for the best, or would it be smarter to sell it on eBay where I've seen prices going for around $200?
Answers
I'd advise against keeping that drive. I had the 1TB variant and it failed on me unexpectedly after barely a year, despite having the latest firmware when I bought it. It just stopped being detected out of the blue, and I’m currently returning it. My guess is that the controller just isn’t reliable. If I were you, selling it might be the better option.
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I snagged the same SSD from a retail store, and I've seen them pretty well stocked lately, so I wouldn't count on flipping it for a huge profit. Just so you know, the 2TB version uses a different controller and has a DRAM cache, which the smaller ones lack. Most of the complaints seem to hit the 1TB models, so I wouldn't stress too much about the 2TB. Just be mindful that eBay takes a cut—about 15%—along with the cost of shipping included in those higher listings; it might eat up your profit a bit.
CuriousCat87: Did you make sure to check if your firmware is up to date? I hope yours works smoothly!
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ForumFriend22: Sorry to hear about your troubles! I read that there's a different controller in the 1TB model compared to the 2TB. Maybe the larger one will be more reliable?