Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

Original: ZAEKE Zhike

Although it is said that the 3A game masterpiece and the Windows handheld are a perfect match, the actual game experience not only tests the excellence of the game production itself, but also has very high requirements for the SSD performance of the handheld. Although many handheld 512GB storage does not look small, but considering that many 3A game applications have come to 150GB, even with this storage configuration, it seems a bit stretched.

How to save the beggar version of the ROG handset?

In fact, before buying the machine, like many players, we thought of the plan to replace the SSD after we got it, and expand the storage space by manual DIY. Recently, Western Digital has just launched a WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD specially designed for the expansion of "handheld game PC", and this is also the first M.2 2230 specification SSD under the WD_BLACK brand.

Of course, we have also considered other brands, and there are three main reasons why we chose to replace this SSD:

First, it is specially built for the handheld game PC, with high adaptability, and it is officially claimed to be suitable for notebooks such as Microsoft Surface and Dell that are compatible with M.2 2230 specification SSD, and can also be replaced with other devices later.

Second, the SSD has a sequential reading speed as high as 5150MB/s, which can improve the efficiency of game installation and level reading, and enhance the game experience.

Third, the backup and recovery of data and the replacement of SSD are not complicated. Disassembly and installation are very simple, and rookies can basically do it.

After learning about the SSD to be replaced, it is also necessary to briefly review the configuration of this handset:

This ROG handset, with its own 16GB storage and 512GB storage, supports PCle 4.0, which is consistent with the maximum transmission speed supported by the SN770M NVMe SSD we are replacing this time, and can release its strongest performance.

Disconnect the machine for SSD, data backup is very important.

Before replacing SSD, we need to back up the data in the original SSD in advance. The recommended backup method is to achieve full clone through a professional disk clone application (such as Western Digital's official Acronis True Image WD Edition), and then complete clone backup with M.2 solid state disk cartridge.

Specific steps: insert the solid state hard drive box containing SN770M into the ROG handset, and open the installed Acronis True Image WD Edition software, select "copy disk" inside the "tools", and then enter the clone mode, the source disk selects the built-in hard disk, the target disk selects SN770M, and follow the prompts to operate step by step.

The whole process takes about 10 minutes, which is basically the fastest data backup method, which is also a very important point in choosing SN770M. The whole backup process is relatively simple, and it is not difficult to get started, so you don't need to worry too much if you try for the first time.

If it is a new phone, then there is no such trouble, just disassemble and replace the SSD, and then "recover" through Asustek, and then you get a new 2TB version of the ROG handset.

Nanny-level SSD change process

Before changing the SSD, it is recommended that we go to the Asustek home in the ROG handset for a system update. After the update is completed, the system will restart automatically, and the BIOS update will be automatically entered at this time. It should be noted that when we start the formal disassembly, we need to turn off the ROG handheld, and the whole disassembly process is very simple, basically can be divided into five steps.

The first step is to unscrew (or loosen) the 6 screws on the back and open the backplane of the handset.

The second step is to uncover the protected black film on the memory card of the handset. At this time, you can see the SSD that comes with the ROG handset.

The third step is to unscrew the only screw and remove the SSD that comes with the handset

Step 4: replace the new SSD-WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD

Step 5: restore the handset, and then screw the backplane screws to restore the system.

ROG handset: highly recommended "cloud recovery"

After completing the SSD replacement at the hardware level, we need to restore the system below. It is recommended to use Asustek "cloud recovery", which is easier and does not require any other equipment.

First of all, due to the replacement of SSD, after booting will automatically enter the BIOS interface (in the boot animation interface, continuously press the tone-key, you can also enter the BIOS interface), then select the "advanced" mode in the lower right corner, select the first "Asustek cloud recovery" option, and then confirm the "cloud recovery", and then operate step by step according to the operation instructions.

Generally speaking, if you are in a good wireless network environment, we still recommend "cloud recovery", but it may take a lot of time. It is recommended to reserve 1-2 hours in advance, and to ensure the stability of the network. Otherwise, it is also easy to be interrupted. Of course, if you need to complete data recovery more quickly, it is recommended to restore by "disk clone".

The performance is still excellent when the 2TB SSD is replaced.

After completing the 2TB SSD replacement and system recovery, we can't wait to test the read and write performance of the new SSD.

First of all, through the CrystalDiskInfo software, we can simply understand the basic information of this SSD. This 2TB WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD uses PCIe 4.0 × 4 channel and NVM Express1.4 protocol, supports common functions such as S.M.A.R.T and TRIM, maintains the hard disk temperature at 50 ℃ in standby state, and displays "good 100%" status in healthy state.

Through the measurement of the CrystalDiskMark software, the sequential reading speed of this 2TB WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD reaches 5083.18MB/s, and the sequential writing speed reaches 4554.20MB/s, which is basically close to the official data. After the storage capacity of the handset has been increased by three times, the read and write speed of its SSD can still maintain this performance, which will also improve the game experience, which is really fragrant.

After that, we also test through TxBENCH, and the results show that the sequential read speed of 2TB WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD is 5260.666MB/s, and the sequential write speed is 4701.414MB; it is slightly different from the previous test results of CrystalDiskMark, but the test data is better, which also allows us to see the performance of this SSD full of blood.

Finally, through the ATTODiskBenchmark software test, when transferring 512KB-64MB-sized files, the maximum read and write speed of the WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD of this 2TB can reach 4.36GB/s and 4.86GB/s respectively, and the read and write speed in the whole test is relatively stable, especially the sequential writing speed, absolute quality and quantity, which is worth affirming.

Of course, the improvement of the overall read and write performance is relatively limited. After all, the ROG handset itself also carries a PCIe 4.0NVMe SSD, and the comparison of the sequential read and write speed of the two SSD actually confirms this point. The handset comes with SSD performance test, you can refer to the following data. However, after the replacement of the 2TB SSD, the storage capacity of the ROG handset has been greatly improved, which is also the original intention of everyone to change the SSD. The original entangled storage space is small, but now 2TB no longer has to worry about it.

The following three pictures show the read and write speed test of the original SSD on the ROG handset:

For the actual game experience, after changing the SN770M, there will be some improvement in the game loading speed, for example, it will be faster to enter the game, the response time for loading different games will also be reduced, and the operation will be as smooth as before. Of course, the original handset also carries PCIe 4.0 solid-state drives, so the performance difference between the two products is not big, and the most important thing is the increase in storage capacity, so that more games can be installed.

Fast partition management, smoother games

After the replacement of high-capacity solid state drives, there is another thing that must be followed up, and that is disk partition management. As for the ROG handset, although many people complain that "success is Windows, failure is Windows", it has to be said that the handset equipped with the Windows system becomes very simple for disk partitioning.

First of all, find the "this computer" option, long press and select "more options", then select "manage", select "disk Management", and then select the disk we want to partition, select "Compression Volume", and then select "Compression Space capacity". Free allocation of disk space, and then return to long press "unallocated" disk, carry out "New simple Volume", and then the disk is finished partitioning.

Of course, we can partition the disk many times, but for the handset, too many partitions are not necessary, as long as the system disk and the game disk are partitioned.

Summary:

For this WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD, its advantages are obvious, small size, easy to change, and very strong performance. Through our measurement, as the fourth generation DRAM-less SSD equipped with Western Digital self-developed master and original 3D TLC NAND flash memory particles, together with PCIe Gen 4.0x4 interface, the measurement can provide sequential reading speed close to the official 5150MB/s and sequential writing speed of 4850MB/s, which can not only improve the corresponding speed of the game, but also reduce the stutter of the game, and provide smooth streaming media transmission. And these are all elevations that can be seen with the naked eye.

For ROG handset or Steam Deck users, it is definitely one of the best options for capacity expansion or performance upgrade. And the improvement of storage capacity, the improvement of the happiness index of the game is more significant, there is no longer storage anxiety, you can rest assured to install a lot of favorite games on the handset, which is also the greatest fun for everyone to choose hands-on DIY.

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