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WD_Black SN8100 NVMe SSD Review – Gen5 Power in a Compact Package
Overview
- WD’s flagship SSD, now under SanDisk WD_Black branding.
- Designed for gaming, creative work, AI model loading, and handling large files.
- Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities.
- Features PCIe Gen5 x4, NVMe 2.0, TLC NAND, DRAM, and hardware encryption.
Key Specs
| Capacity | Seq Read | Seq Write | Random Read | Random Write | Endurance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TB | 14,900 MB/s | 11,000 MB/s | 1.6M IOPS | 2.4M IOPS | 600 TBW | 5 yrs |
| 2 TB | 14,900 MB/s | 14,000 MB/s | 2.3M IOPS | 2.4M IOPS | 1,200 TBW | 5 yrs |
| 4 TB | 14,900 MB/s | 14,000 MB/s | 2.3M IOPS | 2.4M IOPS | 2,400 TBW | 5 yrs |
Features
- High-speed controller: 8 NAND channels, nCache 4.0 SLC write layer, ECC via NANDXtend.
- Security: TCG Opal 2.02 hardware encryption.
- Heat management: Optional anodized aluminum heatsink, low idle power (~5mW), active 6.5–7W.
- Software: SanDisk Dashboard for monitoring health, firmware, RGB control, and link status.
Performance Highlights
- CrystalDiskMark: Up to 15 GB/s read, 14.1 GB/s write; excellent 4K random read performance.
- AI Model Loading: Fastest load times for large LLM checkpoints (7B–32B models).
- PCMark 10: Smooth mixed workloads; very responsive for daily tasks.
- 3DMark Storage Test: Quick game asset loading, faster level transitions, better DirectStorage performance.
- Comparison: Outperforms Gen4 drives like WD SN850X; slightly edged by Crucial T705 in some random write tasks.
Verdict
- Strengths: Extremely fast sequential and random performance, consistent under heavy workloads, hardware encryption, practical heatsink.
- Ideal for: Gamers, content creators, AI enthusiasts, and new Gen5 builds.
- Note: Day-to-day desktop use won’t feel twice as fast compared to a premium Gen4 SSD, but benefits show up with large files and DirectStorage-enabled games.
✅ Bottom line: The WD_Black SN8100 is one of the fastest and most reliable consumer Gen5 SSDs available today, blending speed, endurance, and practicality.
