Tom's Hardware Verdict
The 2TB SanDisk Pro-G40 is a top notch portable SSD with strong all-around performance and consistency. It’s also rugged with the advantages of the Thunderbolt interface, making it the best choice for creators.
Pros
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Excellent all-around performance
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Class-leading sustained write performance
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Rugged, aesthetically-pleasing design
Cons
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Price
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Update 28th November 2022: We've updated this article with new testing for the 2TB SanDisk Pro-G40 SSD on page 2.
Original Review published 17th November 2022:
The SanDisk Pro-G40 is a resilient and fast portable SSD with a USB-C interface for both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 transfer modes. This gives it some flexibility, as it will work with a large number of devices with a high maximum speed. The metal core is surrounded by a silicon bumper edge to protect the drive from drops and other accidents while also keeping the internal M.2 SSD cool. The USB-C port is reinforced with metal for added protection, and SanDisk specs the full SSD with an IP68 water resistance rating. The drive comes with a Type-C to Type-C cable, an ample warranty, and solid support.
This drive is priced for professionals, and the combination of sustained performance and toughness is something we last recommended in the Samsung T7 Shield. The SSD technology in the Pro-G40 is a little bit older, but it has the advantage of DRAM and a Thunderbolt mode over the T7 Shield. Western Digital’s PCIe 3.0 drives, like the Red SN700, are known for their superb sustained write performance and overall consistency. This is also true of the Pro-G40, making it unrivaled if you need to transfer data quickly in the field.
Specifications
| Product | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $299.99 | $449.99 |
| Form Factor (Internal) | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface / Protocol | Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Bridge Chip(s) | JHL7440 + ASM2362 | JHL7440 + ASM2362 |
| Included | Thunderbolt 3 USB-C to USB-C Cable | Thunderbolt 3 USB-C to USB-C Cable |
| Controller | SanDisk Proprietary | SanDisk Proprietary |
| DRAM | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory | SanDisk 96-Layer BiCS4 | SanDisk 96-Layer BiCS4 |
| Sequential Read (TB3 | USB) | 2,700 MBps | 1,050 MBps | 2,700 MBps | 1,050 MBps |
| Sequential Write (TB3 | USB) | 1,900 MBps | 1,000 MBps | 1,900 MBps | 1,000 MBps |
| Random Read | N/A | N/A |
| Random Write | N/A | N/A |
| Security | N/A | N/A |
| Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Endurance (TBW) | N/A | N/A |
| Dimensions | 111 x 58 x 12 mm (4.36 x 2.28 x 0.47 in) | 111 x 58 x 12 mm (4.36 x 2.28 x 0.47 in) |
| Weight | 121.2 g (0.27 lbs) | 122.3 g (0.27 lbs) |
| Part Number | SDPS31H-001T-GBCND | SDPS31H-002T-GBCND |
| Warranty | 5-Year | 5-Year |
The SanDisk Pro-G40 is rated for up to 2,700/1,900 MBps for sequential reads and writes, respectively, in Thunderbolt 3 mode. It has a separate rating of up to 1,050/1,000 MBps in USB mode. The former is using a 40 Gbps connection, with the latter being 10 Gbps. This is valid for both available capacities.
The unit is fairly portable, weighing in around 120 grams with a 4.36 x 2.28 x 0.47 inch footprint. It’s also designed to be a bit rugged with an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust- and water-resistant. SanDisk also states it can survive a three meter fall with up to 4000 pounds of crush resistance. The company backs this up with a 5-year warranty.
Software and Accessories
The SanDisk Pro-G40 comes with a relatively short 20cm (or about 8”) USB Type-C to Type-C cable. Western Digital has a variety of downloads available for its drives, and SanDisk also provides its own SSD Dashboard software. This should cover any basic needs.
A Closer Look
The SanDisk Pro-G40 is a pleasant drive to behold. The aluminum core is rugged and also helps with heat dissipation. The USB-C port is reinforced with metal for added durability. The drive is also protected from drops with its rubberized edges. The design is simple but effective.
We do not recommend opening the casing as it does require some finesse. The case has ample thermal padding to ensure efficient heat transfer. Inside we see the PCB with the SSD, the Thunderbolt controller, the bridge chip, and a USB-C port.
The drive is in the standard M.2 2280 form factor with a controller, two NAND packages, and DRAM. The Thunderbolt 3 controller is a Titan Ridge JHL7440 and the USB bridge chip is the 10 Gbps ASMedia ASM2362. This bridge is commonly used in retail portable SSDs. As the drive has DRAM there is no need to worry about the slower Host Memory Buffer tech we see in slower devices, although this would be passed over Thunderbolt 3 (TB3).
This controller is familiar as it’s the same one we saw on the WD Red SN700 and is also present on the WD Black SN730s used with the WD Black AN1500. Older, but reliable. The drive itself is the SN750E, much as the SN550E is in other WD/SanDisk portables. There’s been reports that these external-only controller revisions have reduced sustained performance when shucked and used as a standard drive in a PC. It doesn’t make much sense to shuck this drive, though.
1GB of SK hynix DDR4 is matched with 1TB of 96-layer BiCS4 TLC, the latter arranged in two 512GB packages. This makes this drive closer to the Red SN700 or Black SN730 than the Black SN750. This has the potential to be extremely consistent with sustained writes which should enable it to match or exceed the Samsung T7 Shield. This is older hardware: 112-layer BiCS5 TLC is becoming more commonplace, as in the WD Black SN770, however it is more than ample for portable use.
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