The Western Digital Blue 3D and the SanDisk Ultra 3D give us our second look at BiCS 3 flash. The first time we got our hands-on BiCS 3, it was with Toshiba's XG5. We have been impressed with BiCS 3 on both occasions. BiCS 3, as far as we know, will be only of the TLC variety.

WD Blue 3D And SanDisk Ultra 3D SSD

The Western Digital Blue 3D 1TB offers excellent performance at a good price point. The drive is within a few performance points of the 850 EVO, but it sells at a much lower price. You won't be disappointed in this choice.

MLC-Like performance; Aggressive endurance rating; Low price point; Bundled software suite; MLC-Like performance; Aggressive endurance rating; Low price point; Bundled software suite

Some TLC consistency issues; Some TLC consistency issues

SanDisk Ultra 3D SSD Review

The SanDisk Ultra 3D is a new client SSD similar to that of the WD Blue 3D. Because this drive is on the lower end of the performance scale, its main application will be general upgrades from an HDD-based system to solid-state technology for faster boot up times and speedier overall performance.

Improves its performance over the WD Blue non-3D NAND model it replaces; 2TB model aligns with other ind

Intel 545S SSD (512GB; Samsung 850 Pro SSD (1TB; Samsung 850 Pro SSD (2TB; ADATA SU900 SSD (512GB; Crucial MX200 SSD (500GB; Crucial MX200 SSD (1TB; Micron M600 SSD (1TB; OCZ VX500 SSD (512GB; WD Blue SSD (1TB; Improves its performance over the WD Blue non-3D NAND model it replaces; 2TB model aligns...