The WD Black SN770M 2TB has returned to a price point that makes it a compelling upgrade for handheld gamers, benefitting from recent market corrections and offering high-performance, size-compatible storage options for popular devices like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally.
Western Digital’s WD Black SN770M 2TB has slipped back to a level that makes it worth a second look for handheld gaming owners, with the drive now listed at $259.99. That puts it close to its original launch pricing and well below the inflated levels seen during the recent storage squeeze, when similar 2230 drives became markedly more expensive.
The appeal of the SN770M lies in its size as much as its speed. It uses the M.2 2230 form factor required by compact devices such as the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and MSI Claw, and it connects over PCIe 4.0. Western Digital rates the drive at up to 5,150 MB/s sequential read and 4,850 MB/s write, which is more than most handhelds can fully exploit, but still useful for reducing load times and making larger game libraries easier to manage.
For Steam Deck owners in particular, the drive is something of a performance overspecification because Valve’s handheld uses PCIe 3.0 rather than PCIe 4.0. Even so, its compatibility and balanced pricing keep it relevant, especially when compared with newer M.2 2230 rivals now entering the market. Tom’s Hardware’s broader handheld SSD guide also points readers towards newer options such as SanDisk’s Optimus GX 7100M, with Kingston’s NV3 2230 and TEAMGROUP’s MP44S presented as alternatives, underlining how quickly this niche has become more crowded.
Compatibility still matters more than headline speeds. Guidance from multiple handheld upgrade guides stresses that the 2230 label refers only to the drive’s physical length and does not guarantee support in every device. That distinction is important for buyers comparing models such as the original 2023 ROG Ally, which uses M.2 2230 storage, with the 2024 ROG Ally X, which moves to a larger M.2 2280 layout. For owners of supported handhelds, however, the SN770M’s current pricing, its 2TB capacity and its established performance profile make it one of the stronger value choices in the segment.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
