WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD 2TB Review

The arrival of PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs marks a new era of storage performance, offering incredible read and write speeds that double the capabilities of their Gen 4 predecessors. With advertised sequential read speeds exceeding 14,000 MB/s, these drives are redefining possibilities for gamers, content creators, and professionals handling data-intensive tasks like AI and 8K video editing.

Recently, we reviewed the Samsung 9100 Pro, which set a high standard with its outstanding performance, leaving us to wonder if any drive could surpass it. We have now received the Sandisk WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD, a 2TB Gen 5 powerhouse that claims to be the fastest consumer SSD on the market. With sequential read speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and write speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s, does the SN8100 live up to its bold claims and outshine the competition? Let’s dive into our detailed review to find out.

Design

The WD_BLACK SN8100 features a compact M.2 2280 form factor, which is the standard for modern NVMe SSDs. This ensures compatibility with a wide variety of desktops, laptops, and even the PlayStation 5 when paired with a suitable heatsink.

The unit we received is the non-heatsink variant, which comes bare and relies on the motherboard or system cooling solutions to manage temperatures. While this choice keeps costs down, SanDisk also offers a heatsink version at an additional cost, which is highly recommended for extended tasks such as large file transfers, 4K/8K video editing, or intensive gaming. The heatsink variant features a low-profile, anodized aluminium design with customizable RGB LED lighting, enhancing both thermal efficiency and aesthetic appeal for enthusiasts building high-performance rigs. 

Even without a heatsink, SanDisk claims that the SN8100 operates efficiently. However, for desktop users pushing the drive to its limits, it is advisable to pair it with a motherboard’s built-in M.2 heatsink or an aftermarket cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.

Performance

The WD_BLACK SN8100 is an outstanding performance drive, fulfilling Sandisk’s promise of leading speeds. In our tests, the 2TB model achieved sequential read speeds of 14,710 MB/s and write speeds of 13,926 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark, closely matching its advertised specifications of 14,900 MB/s read and 14,000 MB/s write. These results surpass the Samsung 9100 Pro (14,700 MB/s read and 13,400 MB/s write) by a slight yet notable margin, establishing the SN8100 as the fastest consumer PCIe Gen 5 SSD drive we have tested to date.

In real-world scenarios, the total load time for gaming is significantly less compared to any Gen 4 drives. It effectively reduced game asset load times in DirectStorage tests, thereby enhancing the gaming experience with near-instantaneous texture streaming.

Thermal performance is crucial for Gen 5 SSD drives, and the SN8100 excels in efficiency. Under load, with a motherboard heatsink in place, it maintained temperatures around 55°C. Sandisk’s claim of a 100% improvement in power efficiency over its Gen 4 drives appears to be accurate. However, we observed inconsistent write performance in some synthetic benchmarks, where speeds occasionally dropped to 2 GB/s or lower, potentially due to compatibility issues with our system.

For PlayStation 5 users, the SN8100 (when paired with an aftermarket heatsink) delivers impressive read speeds of 6,550 MB/s, making it an excellent option for expanding console storage. Endurance is robust, with a 1,200 TBW rating for the 2TB model, supported by a 5-year warranty, ensuring longevity for heavy users. Additionally, the drive supports hardware encryption via TCG Opal 2.02, and features advanced ECC through NANDXtend technology, maintaining data integrity for professional applications.