SanDisk rates the WD_BLACK SN8100 at up to 14,900MB/s sequential read and 14,000MB/s sequential write for its 2TB and 4TB models. TechRadar reports test results of 14,931MB/s read and 14,092MB/s write—figures close to those ratings, but not proof that every system or workload will achieve them or that the drive uses all available PCIe 5.0 x4 bandwidth.
What are the WD_BLACK SN8100’s rated speeds?
The SN8100 is a PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor. SanDisk lists 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB capacities, but the headline maximum read and write figures do not apply uniformly to every capacity.
| Capacity | Maximum sequential read | Maximum sequential write |
|---|---|---|
| 1TB | not stated in the cited SanDisk datasheet | Differs from the 2TB–4TB maximum; see SanDisk’s SN8100 datasheet |
| 2TB | Up to 14,900MB/s, SanDisk rating | Up to 14,000MB/s, SanDisk rating |
| 4TB | Up to 14,900MB/s, SanDisk rating | Up to 14,000MB/s, SanDisk rating |
| 8TB | not stated here | Differs from the 2TB–4TB maximum; SanDisk lists up to 4,800 TBW endurance for this model |
These are manufacturer specifications, not guaranteed results for every PC. SanDisk’s datasheet describes the drive as using TLC 3D CBA NAND and DRAM, and lists average operating power of 7.5W or under. Both are manufacturer-stated specifications; consult the datasheet for the exact capacity-specific ratings.
How close are reported tests to the rated speeds?
TechRadar lists sequential results of 14,931MB/s read and 14,092MB/s write. Those figures are close to—and slightly above—the corresponding 2TB–4TB SanDisk ratings. They are one publisher’s reported measurements, not universal outcomes. Its opened product-guide excerpt does not identify the test date or full setup, so the results cannot establish what a particular PC will achieve.
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
“Nearly saturate” is best understood here as describing near-rated sequential transfer figures. The available figures do not provide the original benchmark platform, software, queue depth or transfer conditions, nor an authoritative calculation of usable PCIe 5.0 x4 bandwidth. They therefore do not establish a precise percentage of bus capacity consumed.
What does it take to reach the maximum?
SanDisk support information says a PCIe Gen 5 NVMe M.2 host is required to reach the stated maximum. The SN8100’s M.2 2280 form factor alone does not guarantee that a particular slot supports Gen 5 x4 operation. Before buying, verify the motherboard or system documentation for the exact M.2 slot’s PCIe generation and lane configuration, and check whether installing an SSD in that slot affects other slots or devices.
Rank #2
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
- Confirm the host interface: Look for PCIe Gen 5 NVMe support on the intended M.2 slot, not just an M.2 connector.
- Match the capacity: Check the rating for the capacity you plan to buy; the 14,000MB/s write maximum is specified for 2TB and 4TB models, not every capacity.
- Check the heatsink: Identify whether the product listing is for the standard drive or the version with its own heatsink, and ensure the system has suitable physical clearance and cooling.
Why sequential speed is not the whole performance story
Sequential read and write benchmarks measure large, contiguous transfers. They are useful for understanding peak throughput, but they do not predict every real-world task. Gaming and many everyday operations can depend more on random 4K behavior, while long, intensive transfers can bring thermal conditions into play. PC Gamer discusses random 4K performance in the context of gaming and reports its own testing context; neither that discussion nor a short sequential result guarantees a particular game-load improvement.
SanDisk says the SN8100 version with a custom heatsink can sustain high performance for up to 15 times longer under heavy workloads and intense thermals than the version without a heatsink. This is a manufacturer comparison, not an independently verified result in the cited material. It speaks to sustained high-load behavior, not a promise that ordinary workloads will run 15 times faster.
Rank #3
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
How to assess the SN8100 against another Gen 5 SSD
Compare like with like rather than choosing by the largest sequential number alone. Check the host slot, capacity-specific ratings, workload results and cooling configuration. Include endurance and current price per capacity in the decision: the cited materials state up to 4,800 TBW for the 8TB model, but do not establish current prices.
- Interface and slot: Confirm PCIe Gen 5 x4 support in the system you will use.
- Capacity and rated performance: Compare the same capacity because maximum write ratings differ across the SN8100 range.
- Workload measurements: Separate sequential throughput from random 4K results and sustained heavy-load behavior.
- Thermal setup: Compare the heatsink configuration and the conditions behind any sustained-performance claim.
- Endurance and cost: Check the relevant model’s TBW rating and compare live prices for the capacity you need.
Sources: SanDisk WD_BLACK SN8100 datasheet; SanDisk WD_BLACK SN8100 with Heatsink datasheet; TechRadar SSD guide; PC Gamer PCIe 5.0 SSD guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
Rank #4
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
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