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?
2 Answers
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.
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.
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?
Did you make sure to check if your firmware is up to date? I hope yours works smoothly!