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Review

Oct 30, 2023

WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card (1TB) for Xbox Review

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5 Incredible
Retails for: $149.99
We Recommend: $149.99
  • Developer: WD_BLACK
  • Publisher: WD_BLACK
  • Genre: Hardware, Storage (SSD)
  • Released: Jun 07, 2023
  • Platform: Xbox Series X|S
  • Reviewed: Xbox Series X|S

The WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is the first competitor to Seagate’s expansion card offering on the newest generation of Xbox consoles. Storage space is an ever-present concern, but WD_BLACK’s combination of size and performance are welcome. With games becoming increasingly demanding in terms of storage requirements, the C50 Expansion Card aims to provide a seamless solution for Xbox Series X|S users. This is a plug ‘n’ play storage card that can be swapped between Xbox Series X and S, as well as other consoles that aren’t yours. WD_BLACK continues to sit comfortably at the top to be the best bang for your buck.

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This is considered to be an external SSD, and works a lot like the old Xbox memory cards, except way bigger and much faster. Setting up the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is a breeze. The card slots into the rear expansion slot of the Xbox Series X|S, with a satisfying click that ensures it’s securely connected. No tools or extensive setup processes are required. The console recognizes the card instantly, and you’re ready to go. This user-friendly installation process will be appreciated by gamers of all skill levels. It’s foolproof and remarkably easy, especially to that over the process of installing the WD_BLACK SN850 into my PlayStation 5.

The WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card boasts a sleek and compact design that complements the aesthetics of the Xbox Series X and Series S. It seamlessly integrates into the console’s design, matching the matte black finish and angular edges. The card fits snugly into the rear expansion slot, creating a cohesive look and feel. Its build quality is solid, with a durable shell that should withstand the rigors of everyday use. The card’s minimalist design and seamless integration with the console are a testament to Western Digital’s attention to detail and commitment to enhancing the user experience.

One of the key selling points of the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is its substantial storage capacity. Offering 1TB of additional storage, this card effectively doubles the storage of the Xbox Series S and provides a notable expansion for the Series X. In using this with our Xbox Series S, it made it so my kids could install more than three games, and gave them more versatility and speed. With modern games often exceeding 100GB in size, this extra storage is more of a necessity than a luxury. The card allows gamers to store more games, ensuring that the limitations of the console’s internal storage become a thing of the past.

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When it comes to performance, the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card delivers where it counts. Thanks to the card’s NVMe SSD technology, games load quickly and run smoothly, just as they would from the internal storage. The seamless integration between the console and the expansion card ensures there are no noticeable performance differences. The lightning-fast read and write speeds of the card keep loading times to a minimum, meaning you spend less time waiting and more time gaming.

The WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is specifically designed for the Xbox Series X and Series S, ensuring full compatibility with these consoles. Western Digital has worked closely with Microsoft to create a seamless experience, and it shows. There’s no need to worry about compatibility issues or complex setup procedures. This expansion card truly feels like an extension of the console itself.

While the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card offers significant benefits in terms of storage and performance, it does come with a price tag. The cost may be a significant consideration for some users. However, it’s essential to remember that the card provides a substantial boost to your gaming experience, eliminating the need to constantly juggle game installations or invest in additional external hard drives. It’s an investment in convenience and performance that many gamers will find well worth the price.

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Furthermore, the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is built to last. Western Digital has a solid reputation for manufacturing high-quality storage solutions, and this expansion card is no exception. Its reliability ensures that your gaming experience remains consistent for years to come. It also comes with a limited 5-year warranty, if that wasn’t enough.

The user experience with the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is outstanding. Gamers can seamlessly switch between games stored on the internal drive and the expansion card without any hiccups. The quick load times and ample storage capacity mean you can maintain a vast library of games at your fingertips, ready to be played at a moment’s notice. The absence of external cables or power supplies adds to the overall convenience. The only gripe I have, and it’s a minor one, is the lack of any activity indicator on the card, which could have been useful to show when data is being read or written. However, this is a small issue and doesn’t impact the overall user experience.

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The WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is a game-changing accessory for any gamer who’s been frustrated with the limited storage options of their console. Its seamless integration, impressive performance, and substantial storage capacity make it an essential addition to any Xbox Series X or Series S setup. Wish the maximum size for this offering wasn’t 1TB, and could be comparable to the PlayStation SSDs. This expansion card ensures you can enjoy your games to the fullest without worrying about storage limitations, making it a must-have accessory for any serious gamer, and is cheaper than the competition.

A C50 Expansion Card for Xbox was provided by the WD_BLACK for review purposes